What is Polycarbonate plastic?
Polycarbonate (PC) is one of the fastest growing engineering plastics, with global demand exceeding 1.5 million tons.
It has good electrical properties as well as high impact resistance that will withstand extreme temperatures.
Due to its amorphous nature and low crystallinity, PC plastic is highly transparent to visible light, with better light transmission than many types of glass.
Polycarbonate is a mid-price range thermoplastic and is therefore popular as a versatile option for a variety of applications.
Glass-filled grades are also available with enhanced properties.
Polycarbonate has good machinability, allowing close tolerances without great difficulty. We use very sharp uncoated tools. Good clamping is also essential and certain coolants need to be avoided.
You may also see Polycarbonate referred to as:
- PC (chemical designation)
- PC1000
- Tecanat®
- Lexan®
- Makrolon®
- Makroclear®
- Quadrant®
Main attributes
- Good thermal stability – thermally resistant up to 135°C
- High strength and hardness
- Good electrical insulation properties
- Exceptional resistance to weathering
- Good machinability
- Easily polished
- Low density
- Highly transparent
- High modulus of elasticity
- Recyclable
- Food compliant grades available
- PC does have some limitations, although these can be overcome with enhanced grades:
- Limited chemical resistance
- Sensitive to scratching and stress cracking
- Tendency to yellow from prolonged exposure to UV light
- Grades include reinforced, stress crack resistant, film, flame retardant and branched, amongst others
Common Applications
- Computer & appliance housings
- Electrical components
- Appliance & household items
- Wear parts & rings
- Car parts (exterior, windows, trim)
- Lenses
- Optical storage media
- Safety helmets
Note for designers
Polycarbonate is a mid-priced thermoplastic and therefore along with its favourable properties, is a popular choice for a wide range of applications.
If the extremely high impact strength of Polycarbonate is not required, Acrylic may be considered as an alternative transparent thermoplastic which still has very good impact resistance and better clarity.
If higher temperatures or improved chemical resistance are required, PSU is a better alternative.
Note: stock material is transparent however if faces are machined, a secondary polishing process is required to regain optical clarity.
Finishing & treatments
- Vapour / solvent polishing - for a high gloss finish
- Wet and dry sanding
- Painting
- Buffing
See our Finishing Processes page for further information on services that we can facilitate.
UK stock sizes
Here are the standard stock sizes/colours for Polycarbonate in the UK. Please note we do not supply stock material, the information provided is purely for design and research purposes.
Stock sizes vary by supplier. Only stocked items are listed but non-stocked items may be available. Please get in touch to discuss further.
The standard unfilled grade of Polycarbonate is natural/white and typically available in lengths of 3000mm.
Polycarbonate Rod/Round Bar
| Stock Size (mm) | Tolerance (mm) |
| Ø10, Ø16 | +0.10/+0.80 |
| Ø20 | +0.20/+0.90 |
| Ø25, Ø30 | +0.20/+1.20 |
| Ø40 | +0.20/+1.60 |
| Ø50 | +0.30/+2.00 |
| Ø60, Ø70 | +0.30/+2.50 |
| Ø80 | +0.40/+3.00 |
| Ø100 | +0.60/+3.80 |
| Ø125 | +0.80/+4.60 |
| Ø150 | +1.00/+5.80 |
| Ø200 | +1.30/+8.50 |
Polycarbonate Plate
| Stock Size (mm) | Tolerance (mm) |
| 10 x 500 | +0.20/+1.10 |
| 16 x 500 | +0.30/+1.50 |
| 20 x 500 | +0.30/+1.50 |
| 30 x 500 | +0.50/+2.50 |
| 40 x 500 | +0.50/+2.50 |
| 50 x 500 | +0.50/+2.50 |
| 80 x 500 | +0.50/+5.00 |
| 100 x 500 | +0.50/+5.00 |
Technical properties
TECANAT Polycarbonate Properties
Mechanical properties
| Mechanical Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm | Notes |
| Modulus of Elasticity (tensile test) | 2200 MPa | 1mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | For tensile test specimen type 1b |
| Tensile Strength | 69 MPa | 50mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | |
| Tensile Strength at Yield | 69 MPa | 50mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | |
| Elongation at Yield | 6% | 50mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | |
| Elongation at Break | 90% | 50mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | |
| Flexural Stength | 97 MPa | 2mm/min, 10 N | DIN EN ISO 178 | For flexural test: support span 64mm, norm specimen |
| Modulus of Elasticity (flexural test) | 2300 MPa | 2mm/min, 10 N | DIN EN ISO 178 | |
| Compression Strength | 16/29/64 MPa | 1%/2%/5% 5mm/min, 10N | EN ISO 604 | Specimen 10x10x10mm |
| Compression Modulus | 2000 MPa | 5mm/min, 10 N | EN ISO 604 | Specimen 10x10x50mm, modulus range between 0.5 and 1% compression |
| Impact Strength (Charpy) | n.b. | max. 7.5J | DIN EN ISO 179-1eU | For Charpy test: support span 64mm, norm specimen
n.b. = not broken |
| Notched Impact Strength (Charpy) | 14 kJ/m2 | max. 7.5J | DIN EN ISO 179-1eA | |
| Ball Indentation Hardness | 128 MPa | | ISO 2039-1 | Specimen in 4mm thickness |
Thermal properties
| Thermal Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm | Notes |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 149°C | | DIN EN ISO 11357 | Found in public sources |
| Service Temperature | 140°C | short term | | Found in public sources. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory |
| Service Temperature | 120°C | long term | | |
| Thermal Expansion (CLTE) | 8 10-5 K-1 | 23-60°C, long | DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2 | |
| Thermal Expansion (CLTE) | 8 10-5 K-1 | 23-100°C, long | DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2 | |
| Specific Heat | 1.3 J/(g*K) | | ISO 22007-4:2008 | |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.25 W/(K*m) | | ISO 22007-4:2008 | |
Electrical properties
| Electrical Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm | Notes |
| Specific Surface Resistance | 1014 Ω | | DIN IEC 60093 | |
| Specific Volume Resistance | 1014 Ω*cm | | DIN IEC 60093 | |
Other properties
| Other Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm | Notes |
| Water Absorption | 0.03/0.06% | 24h/96h (23°C) | DIN EN ISO 62 | Ø ca. 50mm, h=13mm |
| Resistance to Hot Water/Bases | - | | | - poor resistance |
| Resistance to Weathering | (+) | | | (+) limited resistance |
| Flammability (UL94) | HB | Listed (value at 0.4 and 1.5mm) | DIN IEC 60695-11-10 | Corresponding means no listing at UL (yellow card). The information might be taken from resin, stock shape or estimation. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory. |
| Density | 1.19 g/cm3 | | | |
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