PC (Polycarbonate)

Description

PC (Polycarbonate) per ISO 7391 is an amorphous engineering thermoplastic produced by condensation of bisphenol-A and phosgene. Outstanding impact resistance (unnotched) — virtually unbreakable in thin sections. Excellent optical clarity (88% light transmission). Continuous service to 120 C. Widely used for safety glazing, optical lenses, electronic housings, compact discs and medical equipment.

Key Properties — Standard PC (unfilled)

Rm (Tensile Strength)

55 – 65

MPa

Re / Rp0.2 (Yield)

55 – 60

MPa

A₅ (Elongation)

≥ 80.0

E (Young's Modulus)

GPa

Density

1.20

g/cm³

Main Designations (20)

Standard Body	Designation	Country / Region	Note
ISO	PC (ISO 7391-1/2)	International
EN	EN ISO 7391	European Union
ASTM	D3935 / D1003 (optical clarity)	USA
DIN	DIN 16742 / EN ISO 7391	Germany
Trade Names	Makrolon (Covestro) / Lexan (SABIC) / Calibre (Trinseo) / Panlite (Teijin)	Global
UL	94 V-2 (standard) / 94 V-0 (FR grades)	USA
JIS	PC (JIS K 7209)	Japan
GOST	Polikarbonat (PC)	Russia / CIS
FDA	21 CFR 177.1580 (food contact — BPA-free grades preferred)	USA
JUS	PL-PC	Yugoslavia / Serbia	Polycarbonate engineering plastic; JUS G.S2.050
RoHS	Compliant	EU
REACH	BPA subject to SVHC authorization in some applications	EU
Optical grade	PC optical (ISO 10110 / ASTM D1003)	International	High-purity optical-quality grades
Supply Forms	Sheet, rod, tube (extruded/cast) + injection moulding compound + film/tape	Global
ISO	PC (ISO 7391-1)	International
ASTM	D3935 (PC)	USA
Trade Names	Lexan (SABIC) / Makrolon (Covestro/Bayer) / Panlite (Teijin)	Global
EN 356	EN 356 (bullet-resistant glazing — multi-layer PC)	EU
FDA	21 CFR 177.1580 (food contact — selected)	USA
UL	94 V-2 standard; V-0 with FR additive	USA

Standards (20)

#	Standard Body	Designation	Country / Region	Note
1	ISO	PC (ISO 7391-1/2)	International	—
2	EN	EN ISO 7391	European Union	—
3	ASTM	D3935 / D1003 (optical clarity)	USA	—
4	DIN	DIN 16742 / EN ISO 7391	Germany	—
5	Trade Names	Makrolon (Covestro) / Lexan (SABIC) / Calibre (Trinseo) / Panlite (Teijin)	Global	—
6	UL	94 V-2 (standard) / 94 V-0 (FR grades)	USA	—
7	JIS	PC (JIS K 7209)	Japan	—
8	GOST	Polikarbonat (PC)	Russia / CIS	—
9	FDA	21 CFR 177.1580 (food contact — BPA-free grades preferred)	USA	—
10	JUS	PL-PC	Yugoslavia / Serbia	Polycarbonate engineering plastic; JUS G.S2.050
11	RoHS	Compliant	EU	—
12	REACH	BPA subject to SVHC authorization in some applications	EU	—
13	Optical grade	PC optical (ISO 10110 / ASTM D1003)	International	High-purity optical-quality grades
14	Supply Forms	Sheet, rod, tube (extruded/cast) + injection moulding compound + film/tape	Global	—
15	ISO	PC (ISO 7391-1)	International	—
16	ASTM	D3935 (PC)	USA	—
17	Trade Names	Lexan (SABIC) / Makrolon (Covestro/Bayer) / Panlite (Teijin)	Global	—
18	EN 356	EN 356 (bullet-resistant glazing — multi-layer PC)	EU	—
19	FDA	21 CFR 177.1580 (food contact — selected)	USA	—
20	UL	94 V-2 standard; V-0 with FR additive	USA	—

All values in wt.%

Carbon (bisphenol-A unit)

~75.5000

Hydrogen

~5.6500

Oxygen (carbonate linkage)

~18.9000

H2O

Water absorption (equilibrium 50% RH)

≤ 0.3500

H2O

Water absorption (saturation)

≤ 0.6000

Element	Symbol	Min %	Max %	Typical %
Carbon (bisphenol-A unit)	C	—	—	75.5000
Hydrogen	H	—	—	5.6500
Oxygen (carbonate linkage)	O	—	—	18.9000
Water absorption (equilibrium 50% RH)	H2O	—	0.3500	—
Water absorption (saturation)	H2O	—	0.6000	—

Mechanical Properties

Condition	Code	Rm min MPa	Rm max MPa	Re min MPa	Re max MPa	A₅ min %	Z %	KV J	HB min	HB max	HRC min	HRC max	E GPa
Standard PC (unfilled)	STD	55	65	55	60	80.0	—	—	—	—	—	—	2.3
PC GF10 (10% glass-filled)	GF10	75	90	60	75	5.0	—	—	—	—	—	—	3.8
PC GF30 (30% glass-filled)	GF30	100	130	85	105	3.0	—	—	—	—	—	—	6.5

Physical Properties

Density

1.200

g/cm³

Melting Point

145–148

°C

Young's Modulus

2.3

GPa

Poisson's Ratio

0.370

—

Thermal Conductivity

0.2

W/m·K

Thermal Expansion

65.00

×10⁻⁶ /K

Specific Heat

1,200

J/kg·K

Magnetic

Heat Treatment

Drying (mandatory)

Temperature:110°C – 120°C

Medium:Circulating air oven

Duration:4-6 h (sheets: 8-12 h)

Cooling:Sealed bag

Hardness After:Moisture <0.02%

MANDATORY. PC is sensitive to hydrolysis at melt temperature. Even small moisture levels cause degradation (silver streaks, reduced MW).

Annealing (machined/moulded parts)

Temperature:120°C – 130°C

Medium:Air oven

Duration:30 min per 3mm thickness (min 1h)

Cooling:Slow cool in oven

Hardness After:Stress relief; minimal change

Strongly recommended for: (1) precision parts, (2) parts with chemical contact, (3) parts with solvent exposure, (4) painted/bonded parts. Prevents stress cracking.

Machinability

Machinability Rating

relative to AISI B1112 = 100%

180.0%

Good

Turning Speed (HSS)

500

m/min

Turning Speed (Carbide)

1,500

m/min

Feed Rate (Turning)

0.400

mm/rev

Drilling Speed (HSS)

350

m/min

Milling Speed (Carbide)

1,500

m/min

Coolant	Compressed air; light mist (NOT flood water — creates microcracks in stressed areas)
Chip Formation	Medium chips; better than PA but not as clean as POM
Tool Material	Carbide K10 (uncoated); HSS M2 acceptable for light cuts
Surface Finish	Ra 0.4-1.6 um achievable

Good machinability. Key: (1) avoid flood coolant (microcracks from thermal shock and water), (2) use dry or MQL, (3) avoid stress concentrations in part design, (4) anneal before use in chemical/UV environments.

Applications

Optical & Safety Glazing

Safety goggles, machine guards, riot shields, aircraft windows and greenhouse glazing (UV-stabilised).

Electronics

Mobile phone housings, laptop cases, LED diffuser lenses and electronics enclosures.

Optical Lenses

Camera lenses, spectacle lenses, CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs and light guide plates.

Medical

Blood oxygenators, IV connectors, surgical instrument handles and incubator domes.

Automotive

Headlight lenses, sunroof panels, instrument clusters and interior trim.

Safety Glazing

Machine guards, riot shields, safety spectacles lenses, bank screens and security glazing.

Automotive

Headlamp lenses (replacing glass), instrument cluster lenses, sunroof panels.

Medical Devices

Device housings, blood oxygenator housings, surgical instrument handles (if not autoclave).

Electronics

Laptop screens (bonded), electronic device housings, CD/DVD disc substrate.

Technical Notes

⚠️

Stress Cracking — Chemical Contact

PC is susceptible to stress cracking in the presence of solvents (acetone, MEK, toluene, benzene), oils, greases and even some adhesives. ALWAYS anneal parts before chemical contact. Design to avoid stress concentrations. Use PC-compatible lubricants (mineral oil, PTFE-based, NOT petroleum grease).

⚠️

UV Degradation

Standard PC yellows and becomes brittle under UV exposure within 1-2 years. Specify UV-stabilised (UV-coated or co-extruded) grade for outdoor applications.

✅

vs PMMA (Acrylic)

PC has much better impact resistance than PMMA (acrylic) but slightly lower optical clarity and more susceptible to scratching. For impact-critical optical applications: PC. For scratch resistance and outdoor UV: PMMA (acrylic). For glazing: PC with hard coating.

💧

Chemical Resistance

Good resistance to: water, dilute acids, oils, greases (PC-compatible). NOT resistant to: ketones, aromatic solvents, halogenated solvents, strong bases. Always verify with chemical resistance tables.

✅

PC vs PMMA (acrylic)

PC: 30x better impact, HDT 130 C, yellows with UV. PMMA: 2x better clarity, better UV stability, harder surface, lower cost, brittle. For safety glazing (guards, shields): PC. For signs, displays, outdoor clarity: PMMA.

⚠️

Chemical Attack

PC is attacked by: aromatic solvents (toluene, benzene), chlorinated solvents, esters, strong alkalis. Stress crazing occurs even with dilute solvents if part has residual stress. Always anneal and specify chemical compatibility before use.