Polycarbonate

Available in three grades, polycarbonate is a tough, dimensionally stable, transparent thermoplastic that maintains its properties over a wide range of temperatures, from -40"F to 280"F. It is the highest impact of any Thermoplastic, transparent up to 2" in special grades, outstanding dimensional and thermal stability, exceptional machinability, stain resistant and non-toxic with low water absorption. Machine Grade is relatively stress free to permit the most demanding machining and is perfect for high performance uses in tough applications over a broad temperature range. Window Grade is optically clear, providing total luminous transmittance and very low haze factor. The high impact strength makes it resistant to repeated blows, shattering and spalling. Glass-reinforced polycarbonate is finding principal applications in designs where metals, particularly die-cast aluminum and zinc, are commonly used. While glass-reinforced has less impact strength than standard grades, it is still tougher and more impact resistant than most other plastics and die cast aluminum.

Typical Applications:

Lenses
High Temperature and Pressure Windows
Face Shields
Instrument Components
Electrical Insulators and Connectors
Medical Equipment Components

Polycarbonate
Property					ASTM or UL Test	Unfilled	30% Glass	Lexan®
Water Absorption (24hrs)				(%)	D-570	0.12	0.12	0.15
Density				(lb/in³)	D-792	0.043	0.052	0.043
Density				(g/cm³)	D-792	1.2	1.43	1.2
IZOD Notched Impact				(ft-lb/in)	D-256	13	2	17
Tensile Strength				(psi)	D-638	9,500	19,000	9,000
Tensile Modulus				(psi)	D-638	320,000	-	310,000
Tensile Elongation at Break				(%)	D-638	60	10	130
Hardness				(Rockwell R)	D-785	M70	M92	R118
Compressive Strength				(psi)	D-695	12,000	18,000	-
Compressive Modulus				(psi)	D-695	240,000	500,000	-
Flexural Strength				(psi)	D-790	15,000	23,000	14,200
Flexural Modulus				(psi)	D-790	375,000	1,100,000	340,000
Thermal Conductivity				(BTU-in/ft²-hr-°F)	C-177	1.3	1.3	1.35
Thermal Conductivity				(x 10⁴ cal/cm-sec-°C)	C-177	4.48	4.48	4.66
Heat Deflection Temp at 264 psi				(°F / °C)	D-648	270 / 132	295 / 146	270 / 132
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion				(x 10^-5 in./in./°F)	D-696	3.9	1.2	3.7
Flammability Rating					UL-94	H-B	H-B	V-2
Glass Transition Temperature				(°F / °C)	D-3418	293 / 145	300 / 149	-
Max Operating Temp				(°F / °C)	-	250 / 121	270 / 132	240 / 116
Dialectric Strength, 1/8" thick				(V/mil)	D-149	390	470	380
Dialectric Constant at 60 Hz					D-150	3.17	3.35	3.2
Dissipation Factor at 60 Hz					D-150	0.0009	0.0011	0.001
Volume Resistivity at 50% RH				(ohm-cm)	D-257	10¹⁶	10¹⁶	10¹⁷
Physical	Mechanical	Thermal	Electrical