COC vs PC
Polymer · grade comparison
COC and PC are both polymer grades. PC is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) against 63 MPa (9.14 ksi) for COC, about 8% more. PC is the more ductile: elongation 110% versus 5% for COC. COC is lighter (1.02 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for PC) and COC is stiffer (3.1 GPa vs 2.4 GPa). On the shop floor, PC welds better (very good vs fair) and PC sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than COC (high, $$$$).
COCChoose it when weight is the constraint.
PCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
COC vs PC: 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)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
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)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 30 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Polishability 85 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 0.6%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · 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 | COC | PC |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Unfilled |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| Conductive Coating | — | Yes |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | — | Yes |
| EMI Shielding Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Primer Coating | — | Yes |
| Soft Touch Coating | — | Yes |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| Tinted Coating | — | Yes |
| UV Coating | — | Yes |
| Vacuum Metallization | — | Yes |
| Waterproof Coating | — | Yes |
COC vs PC — frequently asked
Is PC stronger than COC?
Yes. PC has a typical tensile strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) against 63 MPa (9.14 ksi) for COC — about 8% more.
Which is cheaper, COC or PC?
PC is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while COC is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, COC or PC?
PC, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 60/100 for COC; for welding the order is PC first (very good, 70/100) then COC (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in COC and PC 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.