Polycarbonate (PC) Plastic Machining

Your guide to Polycarbonate Plastic Machining

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One of the fastest growing engineering plastics

Mid-price range

Versatile thermoplastic for a variety of applications

Polycarbonate (PC) has good electrical properties as well as high impact resistance that will withstand extreme temperatures. It has good machinability.

This guide will take you through the main attributes, common applications, notes for designers and suitable finishing and treatments, as well as UK stock sizes and property tables. Don't forget to bookmark the page so you can refer back later.

If you are interested in Polycarbonate machined parts, please scroll to the bottom of the page for more information about our service and to request a quote.

Polycarbonate Guide: Properties, Applications and Design Considerations

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What is Polycarbonate plastic?

Polycarbonate (PC) is one of the fastest growing engineering plastics, with global demand exceeding 1.5 million tons.

It has good electrical properties as well as high impact resistance that will withstand extreme temperatures.

Due to its amorphous nature and low crystallinity, PC plastic is highly transparent to visible light, with better light transmission than many types of glass.

Polycarbonate is a mid-price range thermoplastic and is therefore popular as a versatile option for a variety of applications.

Glass-filled grades are also available with enhanced properties.

Polycarbonate has good machinability, allowing close tolerances without great difficulty. We use very sharp uncoated tools. Good clamping is also essential and certain coolants need to be avoided.

You may also see Polycarbonate referred to as:

PC (chemical designation)
PC1000
Tecanat®
Lexan®
Makrolon®
Makroclear®
Quadrant®

Main Attributes:

Good thermal stability – thermally resistant up to 135°C
High strength and hardness
Good electrical insulation properties
Exceptional resistance to weathering
Good machinability
Easily polished
Low density
Highly transparent
High modulus of elasticity
Recyclable
Food compliant grades available

PC does have some limitations, although these can be overcome with enhanced grades:
- Limited chemical resistance
- Sensitive to scratching and stress cracking
- Tendency to yellow from prolonged exposure to UV light
Grades include reinforced, stress crack resistant, film, flame retardant and branched, amongst others

Note For Designers:

Polycarbonate is a mid-priced thermoplastic and therefore along with its favourable properties, is a popular choice for a wide range of applications.

If the extremely high impact strength of Polycarbonate is not required, Acrylic may be considered as an alternative transparent thermoplastic which still has very good impact resistance and better clarity.

If higher temperatures or improved chemical resistance are required, PSU is a better alternative.

Note: stock material is transparent however if faces are machined, a secondary polishing process is required to regain optical clarity.

Finishing & Treatments:

Vapour / solvent polishing - for a high gloss finish
Wet and dry sanding
Painting
Buffing

See our Finishing Processes page for further information on services that we can facilitate.

Can we meet your polycarbonate machining needs? Contact us now

UK Stock Sizes

Polycarbonate UK Stock Sizes

Here are the standard stock sizes/colours for Polycarbonate in the UK. Please note we do not supply stock material, the information provided is purely for design and research purposes.

Stock sizes vary by supplier. Only stocked items are listed but non-stocked items may be available. Please get in touch to discuss further.

The standard unfilled grade of Polycarbonate is natural/white and typically available in lengths of 3000mm.

Polycarbonate Rod/Round Bar

Stock Size (mm)	Tolerance (mm)
Ø10, Ø16	+0.10/+0.80
Ø20	+0.20/+0.90
Ø25, Ø30	+0.20/+1.20
Ø40	+0.20/+1.60
Ø50	+0.30/+2.00
Ø60, Ø70	+0.30/+2.50
Ø80	+0.40/+3.00
Ø100	+0.60/+3.80
Ø125	+0.80/+4.60
Ø150	+1.00/+5.80
Ø200	+1.30/+8.50

Polycarbonate Plate

Stock Size (mm)	Tolerance (mm)
10 x 500	+0.20/+1.10
16 x 500	+0.30/+1.50
20 x 500	+0.30/+1.50
30 x 500	+0.50/+2.50
40 x 500	+0.50/+2.50
50 x 500	+0.50/+2.50
80 x 500	+0.50/+5.00
100 x 500	+0.50/+5.00

Technical Properties

Polycarbonate Technical Properties

Here are the properties for TECANAT natural which is an unfilled, unreinforced PC brand. Reinforced and modified grades will have different properties.

TECANAT Polycarbonate Properties

Mechanical Properties	Value	Parameter	Norm	Notes
Modulus of Elasticity (tensile test)	2200 MPa	1mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2	For tensile test specimen type 1b
Tensile Strength	69 MPa	50mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2
Tensile Strength at Yield	69 MPa	50mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2
Elongation at Yield	6%	50mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2
Elongation at Break	90%	50mm/min	DIN EN ISO 527-2
Flexural Stength	97 MPa	2mm/min, 10 N	DIN EN ISO 178	For flexural test: support span 64mm, norm specimen
Modulus of Elasticity (flexural test)	2300 MPa	2mm/min, 10 N	DIN EN ISO 178
Compression Strength	16/29/64 MPa	1%/2%/5% 5mm/min, 10N	EN ISO 604	Specimen 10x10x10mm
Compression Modulus	2000 MPa	5mm/min, 10 N	EN ISO 604	Specimen 10x10x50mm, modulus range between 0.5 and 1% compression
Impact Strength (Charpy)	n.b.	max. 7.5J	DIN EN ISO 179-1eU	For Charpy test: support span 64mm, norm specimen n.b. = not broken
Notched Impact Strength (Charpy)	14 kJ/m²	max. 7.5J	DIN EN ISO 179-1eA
Ball Indentation Hardness	128 MPa		ISO 2039-1	Specimen in 4mm thickness

Thermal Properties	Value	Parameter	Norm	Notes
Glass Transition Temperature	149°C		DIN EN ISO 11357	Found in public sources
Service Temperature	140°C	short term		Found in public sources. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory
Service Temperature	120°C	long term
Thermal Expansion (CLTE)	8 10^-5 K^-1	23-60°C, long	DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2
Thermal Expansion (CLTE)	8 10^-5 K^-1	23-100°C, long	DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2
Specific Heat	1.3 J/(g*K)		ISO 22007-4:2008
Thermal Conductivity	0.25 W/(K*m)		ISO 22007-4:2008

Electrical Properties	Value	Parameter	Norm	Notes
Specific Surface Resistance	10¹⁴ Ω		DIN IEC 60093
Specific Volume Resistance	10¹⁴ Ω*cm		DIN IEC 60093

Other Properties	Value	Parameter	Norm	Notes
Water Absorption	0.03/0.06%	24h/96h (23°C)	DIN EN ISO 62	Ø ca. 50mm, h=13mm
Resistance to Hot Water/Bases	-			- poor resistance
Resistance to Weathering	(+)			(+) limited resistance
Flammability (UL94)	HB	Listed (value at 0.4 and 1.5mm)	DIN IEC 60695-11-10	Corresponding means no listing at UL (yellow card). The information might be taken from resin, stock shape or estimation. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory.
Density	1.19 g/cm³

Polycarbonate Plastic Machined Parts

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Penta Precision provides the following plastic Polycarbonate machining services:

CNC milling
CNC turning
Prototypes and batch runs
Insert installation
Part marking

Manual milling
Manual turning
Machining design advice
Design for manufacture service

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Polycarbonate (PC) Plastic Machining

Your guide to Polycarbonate Plastic Machining

__________

Polycarbonate Guide: Properties, Applications and Design Considerations

What is Polycarbonate plastic?

Polycarbonate (PC) is one of the fastest growing engineering plastics, with global demand exceeding 1.5 million tons.

Main Attributes:

Note For Designers:

Finishing & Treatments:

Can we meet your polycarbonate machining needs? Contact us now

Polycarbonate UK Stock Sizes

Polycarbonate Rod/Round Bar

Polycarbonate Plate

Polycarbonate Technical Properties

TECANAT Polycarbonate Properties

Further Reading & Resources

Polycarbonate Plastic Machined Parts

Penta Precision provides the following plastic Polycarbonate machining services:

Want to know more?

__________

Find out how we can help you

Plastic Machining

Industry Sectors

Commitment To Quality

Get A Quote