What is PC?
PC (polycarbonate) – amorphous, transparent high-performance thermoplastic, extremely impact-resistant and heat-resistant
Technical data
| Property | Value | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| General Properties | ||
| Density | 1.20 g/cm³ | DIN EN ISO 1183-1 |
| Water absorption (24 h) | 0.3 % | DIN EN ISO 62 |
| Flammability | HB (FR grades V-2/V-0) | UL 94 |
| Building material class | B2 (flame-retardant grades: B1) | DIN 4102 |
| Optical Properties | ||
| Light transmission (3 mm) | ~ 89 % | DIN 5036-3 |
| Refractive index nD^20 | 1.585 | DIN EN ISO 489 |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
| Yield stress (23 °C) | 60 MPa | DIN EN ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | >80 % | DIN EN ISO 527 |
| Tensile modulus | 2300 MPa | DIN EN ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength | 90 MPa | DIN EN ISO 178 |
| Impact strength (Charpy, unnotched) | no break kJ/m² | DIN EN ISO 179 |
| Notched impact strength (Charpy) | 65 kJ/m² | DIN EN ISO 179 |
| Ball indentation hardness | 110 MPa | DIN EN ISO 2039-1 |
| Thermal Properties | ||
| Glass transition temperature | ~ 147 °C | ISO 11357 |
| Vicat softening temperature | 145 °C | DIN EN ISO 306, Vicat B 50 |
| Heat deflection temperature | 130 °C | DIN EN ISO 75, method A, HDT |
| Service temperature, long-term | -40 bis 120 °C | Average |
| Service temperature, short-term (max.) | 135 °C | Average |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion | 65 ·10⁻⁶/K | DIN 53752 |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.20 W/(m·K) | DIN 52612-1 |
| Electrical Properties | ||
| Volume resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω·cm | DIN EN 62631-3-1 |
| Surface resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω | DIN EN 62631-3-2 |
| Dielectric strength | ~ 30 kV/mm | IEC 60243 |
PC in detail
1What is PC?+
PC belongs to the amorphous thermoplastics and therefore has no defined melting point, but softens above the glass transition temperature (around 147 °C). Its outstanding feature is extreme toughness: PC is barely breakable even at low temperatures and exceeds the impact strength of acrylic glass many times over. It is stiff, dimensionally stable and transparent (about 89 %), yet comparatively soft and scratch-sensitive at the surface. PC is also sensitive to many chemicals.
2How does Liedtke machine PC?+
PC machines well – milling, turning, drilling and sawing produce clean, dimensionally accurate results. We also offer cold bending (line bending), thermoforming, polishing and bonding. Before thermoforming we pre-dry PC due to its hygroscopy; after machining, annealing can relieve internal stresses. Because of its stress-cracking sensitivity, we avoid solvent-based cutting fluids. This is how we reliably produce impact-resistant, transparent precision and protective parts – from single pieces to series production.
3When should I choose PC?+
PC is worthwhile whenever transparency must be combined with shatter resistance, higher temperature or electrical insulation – for example:
- Safety and protective glazing, machine guard screens
- Impact-resistant sight windows, protective shields and visors
- Transparent components at temperatures above about 80 °C (up to 120 °C)
- Housings and insulating parts in electronics and electrical engineering
- Sterilisable components in medical and laboratory technology
4What determines the price of a PC part?+
PC is a mid-priced engineering thermoplastic and is usually above acrylic glass (PMMA) but below high-performance plastics. As a rough guide, semi-finished stock prices are in the range of about 6–15 €/kg. The component price is determined mainly by the semi-finished shape and dimension, material utilisation (offcut), machining effort and lot size. We are happy to quote binding prices on request based on your drawing.
5When is PC not the right choice?+
Equally important are the limits of the material:
- Contact with solvents, alkalis or hydrocarbons (strong risk of stress cracking)
- Permanent outdoor use without UV protection – natural PC yellows; then UV-stabilised grades or PMMA
- Scratch- and abrasion-loaded surfaces – PC is soft; then hard-coated grades, PMMA or glass
- Highest optical clarity and non-yellowing – then PMMA
- Very tight budget – PMMA is usually cheaper
6Advantages and disadvantages of PC+
An honest assessment – and how the disadvantages can be mitigated in practice: Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Practical tip: PC plays to its strengths wherever transparency meets shatter resistance and higher temperatures – for example in safety glazing and machine guards. Where highest scratch resistance, non-yellowing and weathering resistance are required, acrylic glass (PMMA) is the better and cheaper choice; for permanent outdoor use, we recommend UV-stabilised PC grades.
- Extremely high impact strength – virtually unbreakable, even in the cold
- High heat deflection temperature (continuous service up to ~120 °C)
- Good transparency (~89 %) and high stiffness
- Good electrical insulator; flame-retardant grades (V-0) available
- Good machinability, cold-bendable and thermoformable
- Soft, scratch-sensitive surface (without hard coating)
- Sensitive to solvents, alkalis and hydrocarbons (stress cracking)
- Only limited weathering resistance without UV protection (yellowing)
- Higher price and slightly lower clarity than PMMA
Typical properties
- Extremely high impact strength (virtually unbreakable)
- High heat deflection temperature (up to ~120 °C)
- High transparency (~89 %)
- High stiffness and dimensional stability
- Good electrical insulator
- Good thermoformability and machinability
- Flame-retardant grades (V-0) available
- Suitable for food contact
Typical industries
- Mechanical and plant engineering (guards)
- Safety and glazing technology
- Electronics and electrical engineering
- Lighting and illumination technology
- Medical and laboratory technology
- Food industry (protective / sneeze guards)
Downloads for PC
Related materials
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A drawing or a sample is enough. We calculate concretely and advise openly whether PC is optimal for your application or an alternative makes more sense.
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