Polycarbonate polymers, or PCs, exhibit excellent toughness, high impact strength, and a high modulus of elasticity. Most types of polycarbonate thermoplastic offer transparency and high optical clarity. This material is relatively easy to work with, and Yumei are experts in machining complex, high precision parts from polycarbonate polymers.
Polycarbonate (PC) is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer known for its exceptional impact resistance, transparency, and heat resistance. It is widely used in industries that require durable, lightweight, and optically clear materials.
We offer four grades of machined polycarbonate:
| Category | Tensile Strength at Yield | Flexural Modulus | Tensile Elongation at Break |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Method | ASTM D638 | ASTM D790 | ASTM D638 |
| Black | 8,500 psi | 330,000 psi | 100% |
| Translucent | 8,000 psi | 340,000 psi | 50% |
| Clear | 8,990 psi | 338,000 psi | 140% |
| 20% Glass-Filled | 16,000 | 796,000 | 5% |
| ASTM or UL test | Property | Unfilled | 30% Glass |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYSICAL | |||
| D792 | Density (lb/in³) (g/cm³) | 0.043 1.2 | 0.052 1.43 |
| D570 | Water Absorption, 24 hrs (%) | 0.12 | 0.12 |
| MECHANICAL | |||
| D638 | Tensile Strength (psi) | 9,500 | 19,000 |
| D638 | Tensile Modulus (psi) | 320,000 | - |
| D638 | Tensile Elongation at Break (%) | 60 | 10 |
| D790 | Flexural Strength (psi) | 15,000 | 23,000 |
| D790 | Flexural Modulus (psi) | 375,000 | 1,100,000 |
| D695 | Compressive Strength (psi) | 12,000 | 18,000 |
| D695 | Compressive Modulus (psi) | 240,000 | 500,000 |
| D785 | Hardness, Rockwell | M70 / R118 | M92 |
| D256 | IZOD Notched Impact (ft-lb/in) | 13 | 2 |
| THERMAL | |||
| D696 | Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (x 10-5 in./in./°F) | 3.9 | 1.2 |
| D648 | Heat Deflection Temp (°F / °C) at 264 psi | 270 / 132 | 295 / 146 |
| D3418 | Glass Transition Temp (°F / °C) | 293 / 145 | 300 / 149 |
| - | Max Operating Temp (°F / °C) | 250/121 | 270 / 132 |
| C177 | Thermal Conductivity (BTU-in/ft²-hr-°F) (x 10-4 cal/cm-sec-°C) | 1.3 6.9 | 1.3 6.9 |
| UL94 | Flammability Rating @ less than .45" (11.5mm) thickness @ .45" (11.5mm) thickness and above | H-B V-0 | H-B V-0 |
| ELECTRICAL | |||
| D149 | Dielectric Strength (V/mil) short time, 1/8" thick | 390 | 470 |
| D150 | Dielectric Constant at 60 Hz | 3.17 | 3.35 |
| D150 | Dissipation Factor at 60 Hz | 0.0009 | 0.0011 |
| D257 | Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm)at 50% RH | 1016 | 1016 |
I.Material Overview
| Material | Type | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate (PC) | Engineering thermoplastic | High impact strength + transparency |
| ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) | Engineering thermoplastic | Cost-effective + easy processing |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | Transparent thermoplastic | Optical clarity |
| Property | PC | ABS | Acrylic (PMMA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Resistance | Excellent (very high) | Good | Low (brittle) |
| Transparency | High (~90%) | Opaque | Excellent (~92%) |
| Heat Resistance | High (110–130°C) | Moderate (80–100°C) | Moderate (~80–90°C) |
| UV Resistance | Moderate (needs coating) | Poor | Excellent |
| Scratch Resistance | Low | Moderate | High |
| Machinability | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Cost | Medium–High | Low | Medium |
Aerospace
Automotive
Electronic
Medical
Construction
A：Yes. Polycarbonate has high light transmission (~88–90%), making it a strong alternative to glass in many applications.
A:Yes. Polycarbonate is significantly more impact-resistant than acrylic (PMMA), though acrylic offers better scratch resistance and clarity.
A: Standard polycarbonate has limited UV resistance, but UV-stabilized grades or coatings can significantly improve outdoor performance.
A:Polycarbonate can typically handle continuous temperatures of 110–130°C, depending on the grade.
A:Polycarbonate has inherent flame resistance, and flame-retardant (FR) grades are available to meet safety standards such as UL94.
A:Polycarbonate (PC) is a high-performance engineering plastic known for its excellent transparency, impact resistance, and heat resistance, widely used in industrial and consumer applications.
A:Yes. PC machines well, but cutting temperature must be controlled to prevent melting and deformation.
A:PC typically operates between -40°C and 120°C, with higher short-term heat tolerance.
