Properties of Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is a strong, durable, and transparent type of thermoplastic polymer. It is known for its high impact resistance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including eyeglass lenses, safety goggles, medical devices, automotive components, and even in construction for items like windows or panels.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of polycarbonate (PC) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Category | Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1200 kg/m3 |
| Water Absorption | 0.1 %wt/day |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength | 55 - 75 MPa |
| Yield Tensile Strength | 62 MPa |
| Ultimate Compressive Strength | 80 MPa |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 2.3 - 2.4 GPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.2 GPa |
| Elongation at Break | 100 - 150% |
| Rockwell Hardness (M) | 70 |
| Static Friction Coefficient (µ) | 0.31 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.19 - 0.22 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 1200 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 3.8×10-5 - 7×10-5 1/°C |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Relative Permittivity (@1 MHz) (εr) | 2.92 |
| Electrical Resistivity | 1016 Ω·cm |
| Dielectric Field Strength (Ed) | 150 - 670 kV/cm |
| Optical Properties | Metric |
| Refractive Index (589 nm) | 1.585 |
| Hazardous Data | Metric |
| Flammability Rating (ANSI/UL 94) | V-0 - V-2 |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.