Polycarbonate
The clear plastic you specify when the part has to survive being hit. Effectively unbreakable where acrylic would shatter. In sheet, rod and tube. We also supply black polycarbonate: ask for it on your quote.
Polycarbonate typical properties
Figures are for general-purpose polycarbonate (Makrolon GP sheet and Ensinger TECANAT rod and plate). These are typical values, not a specification. The datasheet behind each figure is linked in its row: the manufacturer’s where one publishes the figure, a distributor’s otherwise. Figures vary by supplier and test method, so confirm against the datasheet for the grade and stock form you are designing with.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.2g/cc |
| Tensile strength | 9,000psi |
| Tensile modulus | 340,000psi |
| Flexural modulus | 345,000psi |
| Hardness | 70Rockwell M |
| Izod impact, notched | 2.5ft-lb/in Machined rod and plate. Thin sheet reads about 18 at 0.125 in; notched impact in polycarbonate depends strongly on thickness. |
| Max continuous service temp | 250°F manufacturer rating (long term)Ensinger TECANAT natural (en-us product page) (opens in a new tab) |
| Heat deflection temp @ 264 psi | 270°F |
| Water absorption, 24 h | 0.15% |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 3.75×10⁻⁵ in/in/°F |
| FDA food contact | Grade dependent General-purpose UV-stabilised sheet carries no food-contact statement. Food-contact grades comply with 21 CFR 177.1580. |
What Polycarbonate is
Virtually unbreakable with excellent optical clarity and impact resistance.
Polycarbonate or acrylic
This is almost always the decision, and the two materials fail in opposite directions. Polycarbonate takes an impact that would shatter acrylic, which is why it goes into guarding, glazing and anything a person could walk into. Acrylic is harder, holds a polish better and resists scratching and weathering, which is why it wins on signage and display where nothing is going to hit it. If the part protects someone, specify polycarbonate. If it has to stay looking new outdoors, look at acrylic first.
Machining Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is tough rather than hard, and it softens at the cut rather than chipping — dull tooling or too little chip load melts and smears the edge instead of cutting it. Sharp tools, positive rake and enough feed to keep the chip moving are what give a clean edge. It is also notch-sensitive and holds moulding stress, so generous internal radii matter and annealing before finishing is worth the time on parts that have to stay flat. Solvent choice deserves care around machined polycarbonate: not every cleaner is safe on a stressed part, and the wrong one crazes edges days after the part ships.
Machining polycarbonate: keeping it clear, crack-free and on sizeNeed Polycarbonate parts machined to print?
Send us a drawing and we will quote it. Precision plastic machining in Linden, New Jersey since 1968.