Multipurpose Plastic · Engineering Thermoplastic
PC
PC is a multipurpose polymer — impact resistant, stiff. Typical values: 60 MPa yield, 1.2 g/cm³, rated to 120 °C. Available for CNC machining, Sheet metal, Injection molding, 3D printing at FabDigit.
Properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Unfilled condition. Metric first, imperial in gray. The bars show where PC sits against the other 74 polymer grades in the catalog.
Datasheet
| Yield strength | 60 MPa9 ksi |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 70 MPa10 ksi |
| Hardness | 118 HRR |
| Density | 1.2 g/cm³0.043 lb/in³ |
| Specific strength (yield ÷ density) | 50 |
| Min service temp | -40 °C-40 °F |
| Max service temp | 120 °C248 °F |
| Electrical conductivity | < 0.001 % IACSinsulator |
| Machinability | Very good80 / 100 |
| Weldability | Excellent90 / 100 |
| Formability | Excellent90 / 100 |
| ISO 513 machining group | N |
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Against other polymer grades
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to PC. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.8 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 500 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 10× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent90 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent90 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | 0.3 – 0.7 % |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | 0.8 – 4 mm |
| Recommended draft | 1 ° |
| Pre-drying | 80 °C for 4 h |
| UV resistance | Fair |
3D printing
| Technologies | FDM |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
Conditions and tempers
How PC is supplied and what each state is for. The default is what FabDigit quotes unless your drawing says otherwise.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UnfilledDefault Grade Modifier | Tougher and cheaper than filled — snap fits, housings, wear parts | — | 62 | 110 | R118 |
GF10 10% Glass Fiber (GF10) | Slightly stiffer than unfilled, keeps most of the toughness | — | 70 | 9 | — |
ISO Medical Cert | ISO 10993 tested — patient-contact devices | — | — | — | — |
GF30 30% Glass Fiber (GF30) | The structural default — mounts, housings, gears under sustained load | — | 95 | 4 | — |
FR Flame Retardant (FR) | Slows flame spread — pick when full V-0 is not required | — | 60 | 90 | — |
UV Stabilized Grade Modifier | Survives sun exposure — outdoor housings and covers | — | 62 | 100 | — |
CF10 10% Carbon Fiber (CF10) | Stiffer than glass at the same weight — light structural parts | — | 90 | 5 | — |
CF20 20% Carbon Fiber (CF20) | High stiffness-to-weight — drone and robotics arms | — | 110 | 4 | — |
Medical Cert | Skin-contact and medical device housings | — | — | — | — |
GF20 20% Glass Fiber (GF20) | Mid stiffness without GF30 brittleness — loaded brackets | — | 85 | 5 | — |
FR V-0 UL94 V-0 Flame Rated | Self-extinguishing — required in most electronics enclosures | — | 60 | 90 | — |
Heat treatment and post-processing
Operations FabDigit's suppliers routinely run on PC, ranked by how often they make sense for this grade.
Post-processing
| Manual Deburr | Deburrstandard |
|---|---|
| Edge Break (0.5mm) | Deburr |
| Heat-Stake Insert | Assembly |
| Ultrasonic Insert | Assembly |
| Laser Engrave | Marking |
| Press-fit Insert | Assembly |
| Silk Screen | Marking |
| CMM Inspection | Inspection |
| FAI Report | Inspection |
| Individual Bag | Packaging |
Surface finishes for PC
Coatings and treatments compatible with polymer on the processes PC runs on. Pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing.
Coating
- Clear Coating
- Conductive Coating
- EMI Shielding Coating
- Primer Coating
- Soft Touch Coating
- Tinted Coating
- UV Coating
- Waterproof Coating
Injection Molding Coating
- EMI Shielding Coating
- Soft Touch Coating
- Spray Painting
- UV Coating
Organic Coating
- Painting
Marking / Decoration
- Chemical Etching
- Dot Peen Marking
- Electro-chemical Etching
- Embossing / Debossing
- Hot Stamping
- In-Mold Labeling (IML)
- Ink Stamping
- Laser Marking
- Mechanical Engraving
- Pad Printing
- Vibro Engraving / Scribing
Metallization / Functional
- Chrome Plating (Plastic)
- Vacuum Metallization
Coloring
- Dyeing (Nylon)
- Painting
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PC in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- CalibreMakrolonPanliteSabic PCTarflonPC FilamentLexanIupilonIupilon S-2000Iupilon S-3000Lexan 121Lexan 121RLexan 141Lexan 141RLexan 940ALexan HP1Makrolon 2407Makrolon 2458Makrolon 2605Makrolon 2805Makrolon 2807Makrolon 3105Makrolon 3108Panlite L-1225Panlite L-1225YPC-101PC-102PC-105PC-108PC-110PC-112PC-115PC-118PC-122PC-175TrirexTrirex 3022WonderliteWonderlite PC-110Xantar
- Also called
- Polycarbonate
- Other
- Lexan 9034Lexan 940Lexan 945Lexan HPS1RMakrolon 2405Thermoplastic Polycarbonate (PC)
Stock forms
Raw-material forms FabDigit sources PC in.
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.