PC vs PPO
Polymer · grade comparison
PC and PPO are both polymer grades. PC is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for PPO, about 13% more. PC is the more ductile: elongation 110% versus 50% for PPO. PPO is lighter (1.06 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for PC) and PPO is stiffer (2.5 GPa vs 2.4 GPa). On the shop floor, PC sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PPO (premium, $$$).
PCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PPOChoose it when weight is the constraint.
PC vs PPO: 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
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.51 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.38 · Compressive Modulus 2.4 GPa0.35 Msi
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)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 26%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω
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
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Weldability 70 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 0.6% · Mold Temperature (typ.) 90°C194 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 5%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 57 kN·m/kg · 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 | PC | PPO |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Injection molding | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Unfilled | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$ Premium |
| 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 | — |
PC vs PPO — frequently asked
Is PC stronger than PPO?
Yes. PC has a typical tensile strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for PPO — about 13% more.
Which is cheaper, PC or PPO?
PC is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PPO is premium ($$$). 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, PC or PPO?
PPO. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (65/100) for PC.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PC and PPO 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.