PC-ISO · grade · default condition
PC-ISO-NAT
Properties of the NAT condition, compared with the other PC-ISO grades.
Default stock colour of PC-ISO filament; pick when colour is irrelevant and biocompatibility documentation is required.
What is PC-ISO-NAT?
PC-ISO-NAT is PC-ISO in the NAT grade — default stock colour of PC-ISO filament; pick when colour is irrelevant and biocompatibility documentation is required. PC-ISO-NAT has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4.3% and the elastic modulus is 2 GPa (0.29 Msi). PC-ISO-NAT has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 161°C (322 °F).
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 4.3%, worse than 77% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 6.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 75% of polymer grades
PC-ISO-NAT properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-ISO-NAT — 5 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PC-ISO grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PC-ISO-NAT has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 161°C (322 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-ISO-NAT has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4.3% and the elastic modulus is 2 GPa (0.29 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-ISO-NAT is rated for continuous service to 118°C (244 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 68 µm/m·K (37.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-ISO-NAT is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 64% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-ISO-NAT takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 6.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
PC-ISO-NAT's machinability is good (62/100, better than 59% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PC-ISO grades and fills
PC-ISO is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PC-ISO overview.
- NATDefaultDefault stock colour of PC-ISO filament; pick when colour is irrelevant and biocompatibility documentation is required.57 MPa tensile
Working with PC-ISO-NAT
Is PC-ISO easy to machine?
Machines and drills cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools and air cooling; avoid coolants and stress-raising sharp corners to prevent solvent crazing and cracking.
Can PC-ISO be welded?
Joins well by ultrasonic welding, hot-plate welding or solvent/adhesive bonding (methylene-chloride-free medical adhesives, cyanoacrylate, UV-cure acrylics); layer-line porosity limits hermetic seals.
Can PC-ISO be formed, bent or molded?
Print with 330–365 °C extrusion in a ~145 °C heated chamber on a heated build sheet; dry filament thoroughly (≥4 h at 90–100 °C) or bubbles and strength loss occur.
What surface finishes work on PC-ISO?
Sand and vapor/flame polish with care (PC is stress-crack sensitive); paintable with PC-compatible primers, and parts intended for sterilization should be cleaned of support residue first.
PC-ISO chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| pigment/additivecolourant and processing stabilizer only in white grade | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| bisphenol-A polycarbonatemedical-grade virgin PC resin; ISO 10993-1 evaluated, USP Class VI | balance | — |
PC-ISO-NAT — frequently asked
What is PC-ISO-NAT used for?
PC-ISO-NAT is typically used for medical devices, surgical guides and sterilizable fixtures. In short: biocompatible medical PC.
What is the yield strength of PC-ISO-NAT?
PC-ISO-NAT has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PC-ISO-NAT easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 59% of polymer grades). Machines and drills cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools and air cooling; avoid coolants and stress-raising sharp corners to prevent solvent crazing and cracking.
Can PC-ISO-NAT be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Joins well by ultrasonic welding, hot-plate welding or solvent/adhesive bonding (methylene-chloride-free medical adhesives, cyanoacrylate, UV-cure acrylics); layer-line porosity limits hermetic seals.
What surface finishes work on PC-ISO-NAT?
Sand and vapor/flame polish with care (PC is stress-crack sensitive); paintable with PC-compatible primers, and parts intended for sterilization should be cleaned of support residue first.
Can PC-ISO-NAT be formed, bent or molded?
Print with 330–365 °C extrusion in a ~145 °C heated chamber on a heated build sheet; dry filament thoroughly (≥4 h at 90–100 °C) or bubbles and strength loss occur.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-ISO-NAT?
PC-ISO-NAT is rated for continuous use to about 118°C (244 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PC-ISO-NAT and PC-ISO-ZX?
NAT is the default condition — default stock colour of PC-ISO filament; pick when colour is irrelevant and biocompatibility documentation is required. ZX: use these de-rated values whenever the service load acts perpendicular to the deposited layers. Yield strength is 52 MPa in NAT versus 41 MPa in ZX.
Can FabDigit make parts in PC-ISO-NAT?
Yes — PC-ISO-NAT is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- PC-ISO FDM Thermoplastic Material Data Sheet — Stratasys (2023)
- ISO 10993-1 Biological evaluation of medical devices — ISO (2018)
- USP <88> Biological Reactivity Tests, In Vivo (Class VI) — USP (2022)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D256 / D648 — ASTM International (2022)
- CAMPUS polycarbonate resin property sets — CAMPUS/CWFG (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.