PC-HT
PC-HT is a modified polycarbonate copolymer with an elevated heat deflection temperature, up to roughly 160 °C, for parts that exceed the thermal limit of standard PC; grades on file include natural, 10–30 % glass fill, flame-retardant, UV-stabilized, impact-modified, optical, medical and ESD.
Reference datasheet — PC-HT is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
PC-HT grades and fills
PC-HT is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact modified / high ductility | Higher low-temperature ductility and thick-wall impact, with a modest HDT penalty. | 60 | 63 | 120 | 80 Shore D |
Antistatic / static-dissipative | Carbon-based additive package for handling trays and electronics housings requiring charge control. | 63 | 65 | 15 | 85 Shore D |
Flame retardant | Non-halogen FR package for electrical enclosures and LED fixtures needing V-0 at thin wall. | 65 | 68 | 70 | 84 Shore D |
10% glass-fiber reinforced | Light glass loading for reduced warpage and shrinkage while keeping decent toughness. | 88 | 6 | ||
20% glass-fiber reinforced | Balanced stiffness/heat grade for structural housings and lamp bezels. | 110 | 4 | ||
30% glass-fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness and dimensional stability near the HDT limit; opaque, abrasive to tooling. | 130 | 3 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PC-HT is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MED | Medical / autoclavable grade | Certification |
OPT | Optical / high-clarity grade | Grade option |
UV | UV/weather stabilized | Grade option |
NATDefault | Unfilled / Natural transparent | Standard supply |
What is PC-HT?
PC-HT is a modified polycarbonate copolymer with an elevated heat deflection temperature, up to roughly 160 °C, for parts that exceed the thermal limit of standard PC; grades on file include natural, 10–30 % glass fill, flame-retardant, UV-stabilized, impact-modified, optical, medical and ESD. Typical values are 1.2 g/cm³ density, 70 MPa tensile strength and 90 % elongation, supplied as injection-molded parts, sheet and rod. It costs more than standard PC and needs hotter processing (310–345 °C melt, 90–140 °C mold), and it remains notch- and solvent-stress-crack sensitive; PPSU or PEI is the step up for higher continuous heat. PC-HT has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F). PC-HT has a yield strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi).
What is PC-HT used for?
- LED housings
- reflow-solderable electrical parts
- automotive under-hood components
- lighting fixtures
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of polymer grades
- High strength — 68 MPa (9.86 ksi), better than 77% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 140°C (284 °F), better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of polymer grades
PC-HT properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PC-HT has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-HT has a yield strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-HT is rated for continuous service to 140°C (284 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 62 µm/m·K (34.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-HT is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-HT takes about 112 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PC-HT's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (65/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PC-HT is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PC-HT
Is PC-HT easy to machine?
Machines like standard PC: sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, air or mist cooling; anneal 1–2 h near 130 °C to relieve stress and avoid solvent crazing.
Can PC-HT be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration and laser welding all work; solvent bonding with methylene chloride blends is possible but raises stress-crack risk.
Can PC-HT be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4–6 h at 120–125 °C to <0.02% moisture; inject at 310–345 °C melt with 90–140 °C mold, use generous gates and slow fill for optics.
PC-HT chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| high-Tg comonomer (PPPBP / BPI / TMC-bisrigid comonomer that raises Tg and HDT; exact type is producer-specific | 10 – 60 | 30 |
| heat/process stabilizers, mold release, additive package, grade dependent | 0.05 – 1 | 0.4 |
| bisphenol-A carbonate unitsmain chain of the copolycarbonate | ≥ 40 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PC-HT?
Takes high-gloss tooled surfaces, hard-coat (silicone/acrylic) for abrasion and UV, vacuum metallizing and pad printing; avoid alkaline paint strippers.
How much does PC-HT cost?
PC-HT is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PC-HT — frequently asked
What is PC-HT used for?
PC-HT is typically used for LED housings, reflow-solderable electrical parts, automotive under-hood components and lighting fixtures. In short: highest-heat clear PC; reflow-capable polycarbonate; 160 °C HDT copolymer.
What is the yield strength of PC-HT?
PC-HT has a typical yield strength of 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 77% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PC-HT easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines like standard PC: sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, air or mist cooling; anneal 1–2 h near 130 °C to relieve stress and avoid solvent crazing.
Can PC-HT be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration and laser welding all work; solvent bonding with methylene chloride blends is possible but raises stress-crack risk.
What surface finishes work on PC-HT?
Takes high-gloss tooled surfaces, hard-coat (silicone/acrylic) for abrasion and UV, vacuum metallizing and pad printing; avoid alkaline paint strippers.
Can PC-HT be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4–6 h at 120–125 °C to <0.02% moisture; inject at 310–345 °C melt with 90–140 °C mold, use generous gates and slow fill for optics.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-HT?
PC-HT is rated for continuous use to about 140°C (284 °F), and briefly to 170°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PC-HT cost?
PC-HT is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Lexan XHT / high-heat copolymer resin data — SABIC (2023)
- Apec high heat polycarbonate product range — Covestro (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics property database — PC and high-heat PC copolymers — CWFG (2024)
- ISO 7391 Plastics — Polycarbonate moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2006)
- ASTM D3935 Standard Classification for Polycarbonate Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2017)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.