PC (polycarbonate)
Production-grade Thermoplastic
A true industrial thermoplastic, PC (polycarbonate) is widely used in automotive, aerospace, medical and many other applications. PC offers accuracy, durability and stability, creating strong parts that withstand functional testing.
PC has superior mechanical properties to ABS and a number of other thermoplastics. When combined with a Stratasys 3D Printer, PC gives you strong parts for conceptual modeling, functional prototyping, manufacturing tools, and production parts. PC runs the Xtend 500 Fortus Plus option, which enables more than 400 hours of unattended build time.
PC (polycarbonate) Material Properties
Behaviour and use
Main Uses
Production-grade thermoplastic offering accuracy, durability and stability, creating strong parts that withstand functional testing.
Top Applications
- Functional testing
- Manufacturing tooling
- Production parts
FDM Materials Profile
Learn more about 3D printing FDM parts
Additive Manufacturing reduces fixture costs by 65%
Oreck uses PC thermoplastic to create custom assembly pallets for its commercial vacuum business. Oreck uses Additive Manufacturing extensively to produce prototypes, specialized assembly tools and CNC milling fixtures.
FDM Material Applications
Learn how designers and engineers are using FDM Materials
Design Firm 3D Prints with Stratasys machine to refine Ideas with Speed
A Stratasys F123 series printer with GrabCAD Print™ software streamlines the shared workflow of a Design Firm and makes CAD even more responsive to fast-moving projects.
3D Printing a Space Vehicle for Mars Exploration
To design such a tenacious and specialized vehicle, NASA are 3D Printing Space Vehicle Parts. For example, about 70 of the parts that make up the rover were built digitally, directly from computer designs, in the heated chamber of a production-grade Stratasys 3D Printer.
Additive Manufacturing reduces fixture costs by 65%
Oreck uses PC thermoplastic to create custom assembly pallets for its commercial vacuum business. Oreck uses Additive Manufacturing extensively to produce prototypes, specialized assembly tools and CNC milling fixtures.
Reaching New Heights of Efficiency with Additive Manufacturing Tooling
GKN Aerospace Achieves Significant Savings with Additive Manufactured Tooling and Prototypes. GKN Aerospace (GKN) is a leading multi-technology tier one aerospace supplier, serving over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers.
Additive Manufacturing reduces Aerospace part lead time by 95%
Rapid Processing Solutions Inc. (Rapid PSI) is a contract manufacturer that specializes in Additive Manufacturing Aerospace parts. The company uses Stratasys 3D Production Systems to make production parts for most every large business jet manufacturer worldwide.
PC (polycarbonate) Specification & Features
| MECHANICAL PROPERTIES | TEST METHOD | ENGLISH | METRIC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZX Axis | XZ Axis | ZX Axis | XZ Axis | ||
| Tensile Strength, Yield (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min) | ASTM D638 | 5,800 psi | 4,300 psi | 40 MPa | 30 MPa |
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min) | ASTM D638 | 8,300 psi | 6,100 psi | 57 MPa | 42 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min) | ASTM D638 | 282,000 psi | 284,000 psi | 1,944 MPa | 1,958 MPa |
| Tensile Elongation at Break (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min) | ASTM D638 | 4.8% | 2.5% | 4.8% | 2.5% |
| Tensile Elongation at Yield (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min) | ASTM D638 | 2.2% | 2% | 2.2% | 2% |
| Flexural Strength (Method 1, 0.05”/min) | ASTM D790 | 13,000 psi | 9,900 psi | 89 MPa | 68 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus (Method 1, 0.05”/min) | ASTM D790 | 291,000 psi | 261,000 psi | 2,006 MPa | 1,800 MPa |
| Flexural Strain at Break (Method 1, 0.05”/min) | ASTM D790 | No break | 4% | No break | 4% |
| IZOD Impact, notched (Method A, 23 °C) | ASTM D256 | 1.4 ft-lb/in | 0.5 ft-lb/in | 73 J/m | 28 J/m |
| IZOD Impact, un-notched (Method A, 23 °C) | ASTM D256 | 16.4 ft-lb/in | 3.5 ft-lb/in | 877 J/m | 187 J/m |
| Compressive Strength, Yield (Method 1, 0.05”/min) | ASTM D695 | 10,000 psi | 9,200 psi | 69 MPa | 64 MPa |
| Compressive Strength, Ultimate (Method 1, 0.05”/min) | ASTM D695 | 28,000 psi | 9,400 psi | 193 MPa | 65 MPa |
| Compressive Modulus (Method 1, 0.05”/min) | ASTM D695 | 1,100,000 psi | 227,000 psi | 7,564 MPa | 1,565 MPa |
| THERMAL PROPERTIES | TEST METHOD | ENGLISH | METRIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Deflection (HDT) @ 66 psi | ASTM D648 | 280 °F | 138 °C |
| Heat Deflection (HDT) @ 264 psi | ASTM D648 | 261 °F | 127 °C |
| Vicat Softening | ASTM D1525 | 282 °F | 139 °C |
| Glass Transition (Tg) | DMA (SSYS) | 322 °F | 161 °C |
| Melting Point | --------- | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES | TEST METHOD | VALUE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | ASTM D257 | 6.0x10 - 2.0x10 ohm-cm |
| Dielectric Constant | ASTM D150-98 | 2.8 - 3.0 |
| Dissipation Factor | ASTM D150-98 | .0005 - .0006 |
| Dielectric Strength | ASTM D149-09, Method A | 80 - 360 V/mil |
| OTHER | TEST METHOD | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity | ASTM D792 | 1.2 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | ASTM E831 | 3.8x10 in/in/°F |
| Rockwell Hardness | ASTM D785 | R115 |
| SYSTEM AVAILABILITY | LAYER THICKNESS CAPABILITY | SUPPORT STRUCTURE | AVAILABLE COLOURS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortus 450mc™ Stratays F900™ | 0.013 inch (0.330 mm) 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) 0.007 inch (0.178 mm) 0.005 inch (0.127 mm) | Breakaway, Soluble | White |
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