Polycarbonate

MATERIAL DATA SHEET The information contained herein is typical and intended for REFERENCE USE ONLY. This information should NOT be used as a basis for design, manufacturing or quality assurance purposes. Please contact us for complete, manufacturer-approved material property data sheets. All values below are at 72°F (23°) unless otherwise noted.

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Polycarbonate Specifications

Description

Polycarbonate is an engineering plastic with excellent dimensional stability and good strength and stiffness over a wide range of service temperatures. Polycarbonate is often used for structural applications when clarity and impact strength are essential including lenses, manifolds, site glasses, and machine guards. Polycarbonate is used for a wide variety of electrical applications since it has low moisture absorption, good insulating properties, and an excellent flammability rating. Polycarbonate is easy to fabricate, paint, and glue.

Applications

Site glasses • Viewing windows • Impact shields • Fluid handling components • Manifolds • Scientific and analytical instrument components • Electrical components • Housings and covers

Advantages of Polycarbonate

Optical clarity (window grade) • Excellent impact resistance • Excellent dimensional stability • Low moisture absorption • Easy to machine • Good strength and stiffness over a wide range of service temperatures • Good electrical insulating properties • Easy to fabricate, paint and glue

Manufacturing Capabilities

Rod: 1/8” to 15” diameter • Sheet: 3/8” to 4” thick • Film: .001” to .029” thick

Color/Grades

Polycarbonate W – Window grade (optically clear) • Polycarbonate M – Machine grade, stressrelieved (natural and black) • Polycarbonate M-GF – 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% Glass-filled grades (black) • FDA compliant grades and colors are available on a custom basis

Typical Properties of Polycarbonate

	Units	ASTM Test	Polycarbonate M	Polycarbonate W
Mechanical Properties
Compressive Stength	psi	D695	12,500	12,500
Flexural Modulus	psi	D790	340,000	340,000
Flexural Strength @ yield	psi	D790	13,500	13,500
Hardness-Rockwell M	-	D785	M70-78	M70-78
Hardness-Rockwell R	-	D785	R118	R118
Izod Impact Strength Notched	ft·lbs/in	D256	16.0	16.0
Charpy Index	ft·lbs/1/8"x1"	D256	no break	no break
Tensile Elongation @break	%	D638	110.0	110.0
Tensile Elongation @yield	%	D638	7.0	7.0
Tensile Strength @break	psi	D638	9,500	9,500
Tensile Strength @yeild	psi	D638	8,400	8,400
Thermal Properties
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion	in/in/°F	D696	3.8x10-5	3.8x10-5
Flam. Rating-UL94 @11.5mm	-	-	V-0	V-0
Heat Deflection Temp. @66 psi	°F	D648	280	280
Heat Deflection Temp. @264 psi	°F	D648	275	275
Thermal Conductivity	(BTU•in)/(hr•f2°F)	C177	1.35	1.35
Electrical Properties
Dielectric Constant @60Hz	-	D150	2.9	2.9
Dielectric Constant @1MHz	-	D150	2.9	2.9
Dielectric Strength	V/mil	D149	380	380
Volume Resistivity	ohm•cm	D257	>1.0X1017	>1.0X1017
Optical Properties
Haze	%	D1003	0.5 -2.0	0.5 -2.0
Other Properties
Specific Gravity	-	D792	1.20	1.20
Water Absorption @24 hours	%	D570	0.15	0.15
Water Absorption @ Equilibrium	%	D570	0.35	0.35