General Purpose vs PC-Like
Polyurethane · grade comparison
General Purpose and PC-Like are both polyurethane grades, both rigid pu. PC-Like is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for General Purpose, about 50% more. In exchange, General Purpose is the more ductile: elongation 520% versus 9% for PC-Like, and PC-Like is harder (85 Shore D vs 30 Shore D). PC-Like is lighter (1.16 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for General Purpose) and PC-Like is stiffer (2.7 GPa vs 0.03 GPa). On the shop floor, PC-Like machines more easily (good vs fair) and General Purpose sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PC-Like (standard, $$).
General PurposeChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
PC-LikeChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
General Purpose vs PC-Like: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polyurethane 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 polyurethane 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
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
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
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Limiting Oxygen Index 20%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
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
Mold Shrinkage
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polyurethane grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | General Purpose | PC-Like |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both are offered for Urethane casting.
General Purpose vs PC-Like — frequently asked
Is PC-Like stronger than General Purpose?
Yes. PC-Like has a typical tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for General Purpose — about 50% more.
Which is cheaper, General Purpose or PC-Like?
General Purpose is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PC-Like is standard ($$). 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, General Purpose or PC-Like?
PC-Like. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (45/100) for General Purpose; for welding the order is General Purpose first (poor, 15/100) then PC-Like (not recommended, 8/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in General Purpose and PC-Like 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.