PC-FR vs PC-Medical
Polymer · grade comparison
PC-FR and PC-Medical are both polymer grades. PC-Medical is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) against 64 MPa (9.28 ksi) for PC-FR, about 6% more. PC-Medical is the more ductile: elongation 115% versus 100% for PC-FR. On the shop floor, PC-Medical welds better (very good vs good).
PC-MedicalChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PC-FR vs PC-Medical: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 2.4 GPa0.34 Msi · Shear Modulus 0.85 GPa0.12 Msi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 62 MPa9 ksi · Compressive Strength 80 MPa11.6 ksi · Flexural Strength 95 MPa13.8 ksi · Hardness, Rockwell M 72 HRM · Hardness, Rockwell R 120 HRR
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Light Transmission
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 147°C297 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.15% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.35% · Refractive Index 1.586
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa 128°C262 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.01 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 250 V
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.)
Same in both: Mold Shrinkage 0.6% · Melt Flow Rate 10 g/10 min
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Modulus of Resilience 818 kJ/m³ · 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-FR | PC-Medical |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
PC-FR vs PC-Medical — frequently asked
Is PC-Medical stronger than PC-FR?
Yes. PC-Medical has a typical tensile strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) against 64 MPa (9.28 ksi) for PC-FR — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, PC-FR or PC-Medical?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, PC-FR or PC-Medical?
PC-FR, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 60/100 for PC-Medical; for welding the order is PC-Medical first (very good, 75/100) then PC-FR (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PC-FR and PC-Medical 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.