Alumide vs Stratasys PC-ISO
Polymer · grade comparison
Alumide and PC-ISO are both polymer grades, both specialty plastic. PC-ISO is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) against 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) for Alumide, about 19% more. PC-ISO is the more ductile: elongation 4.3% versus 3.5% for Alumide, and PC-ISO is harder (80 Shore D vs 76 Shore D). PC-ISO is lighter (1.2 g/cm³ vs 1.36 g/cm³ for Alumide) and Alumide is stiffer (3.8 GPa vs 2 GPa). On the shop floor, PC-ISO welds better (good vs poor) and Alumide sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than PC-ISO (high, $$$$).
AlumideChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.
PC-ISOChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Alumide vs PC-ISO: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell M
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 140°C284 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Volume Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Alumide | PC-ISO |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Standard | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both are offered for 3D printing. Both take the same 10 finishes: Conductive Coating, Dyeing (Nylon), EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Primer Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Tinted Coating, UV Coating, Vacuum Metallization, Waterproof Coating.
Alumide vs PC-ISO — frequently asked
Is PC-ISO stronger than Alumide?
Yes. PC-ISO has a typical tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) against 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) for Alumide — about 19% more.
Which is cheaper, Alumide or PC-ISO?
Alumide is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while PC-ISO is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, Alumide or PC-ISO?
PC-ISO. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against poor (15/100) for Alumide.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alumide and PC-ISO side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.