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PC-FR vs PC-MF

Polymer · grade comparison

PC-FR and PC-MF are both polymer grades. Both yield at about 62 MPa — strength does not separate them. PC-FR is the more ductile: elongation 100% versus 10% for PC-MF. PC-FR is lighter (1.22 g/cm³ vs 1.35 g/cm³ for PC-MF) and PC-MF is stiffer (3.8 GPa vs 2.4 GPa). On the shop floor, PC-MF sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than PC-FR (premium, $$$).

PC-FRChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

PC-MFChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.

PC-FR vs PC-MF: properties

PC-FRPC-MF

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.4 GPa0.34 Msi
3.8 GPa0.55 Msi

Shear Modulus

0.85 GPa0.12 Msi
1.4 GPa0.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

4 GPa0.55 Msi
5 GPa0.73 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.39
0.38

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

64 MPa9.3 ksi
62 MPa9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

62 MPa9 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

100%
10%

Compressive Strength

80 MPa11.6 ksi
88 MPa12.8 ksi

Compressive Modulus

2.3 GPa0.33 Msi
3.2 GPa0.46 Msi

Flexural Strength

95 MPa13.8 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Flexural Modulus

2.3 GPa0.33 Msi
3.7 GPa0.54 Msi

Shear Strength

62 MPa9 ksi
45 MPa6.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

2.6 MPa·√m2.4 ksi·√in
2.2 MPa·√m2 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

650 J/m12.2 ft·lbf/in
110 J/m2.1 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

81 Shore D
85 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

72 HRM
78 HRM

Same in both: Hardness, Rockwell R 120 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.22 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
1.35 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Refractive Index

1.586
—

Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 147°C297 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.15% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.35%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.27 W/m·K0.16 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F
1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

67 µm/m·K37.2 µin/in·°F
50 µm/m·K27.8 µin/in·°F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

140°C284 °F
142°C288 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

128°C262 °F
132°C270 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

145°C293 °F
146°C295 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

34%
27%

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 140°C284 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

20 kV/mm508 V/mil
22 kV/mm559 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

2.95
3.3

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.01
0.011

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Same in both: Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 250 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 100
68 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

40 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

65 / 100
62 / 100

Weldability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
25 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
30 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.6%
0.45%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

285°C545 °F
295°C563 °F

Same in both: Melt Flow Rate 10 g/10 min · Mold Temperature (typ.) 90°C194 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
90 MJ/kg38,693 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.6 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

5%
15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

52 kN·m/kg
46 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

1.9 MN·m/kg
2.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

818 kJ/m³
474 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

0.1 mm²/s
0.2 mm²/s

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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePC-FRPC-MF

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPC-FRPC-MF
3D printingYes—
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Conductive CoatingYes—
Dyeing (Nylon)Yes—
EMI Shielding CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Primer CoatingYes—
Soft Touch CoatingYes—
Tinted CoatingYes—
UV CoatingYes—
Vacuum MetallizationYes—
Waterproof CoatingYes—

PC-FR vs PC-MF — frequently asked

What is the difference between PC-FR and PC-MF?

PC-FR and PC-MF are both polymer grades. Both yield at about 62 MPa — strength does not separate them. PC-FR is the more ductile: elongation 100% versus 10% for PC-MF.

Which is cheaper, PC-FR or PC-MF?

PC-MF is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while PC-FR is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, PC-FR or PC-MF?

PC-MF. Its weldability rates good (65/100) against good (60/100) for PC-FR.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PC-FR and PC-MF 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.