PC-ISO
ISO 10993 PC, PC · also Medical PC
PC-ISO is a medical-grade bisphenol-A polycarbonate FDM filament whose feedstock is evaluated to ISO 10993-1 and certified USP Class VI, and it tolerates gamma and ethylene-oxide sterilisation.
PC-ISO grades and fills
PC-ISO is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Printed upright | Use these de-rated values whenever the service load acts perpendicular to the deposited layers. | 41 | 40 | 2.5 | 80 Shore D |
White pigmented PC-ISO filament | Choose white when parts must look like finished medical hardware or need better contrast for inspection; mechanicals essentially identical to natural. | 52 | 57 | 4.3 | 80 Shore D |
Printed flat/on-edge | Orient parts so principal stress lies in the build plane to obtain the published maximum strength and toughness. | 57 | 57 | 4.3 | 80 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PC-ISO is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
STERILE-GAMMA | After gamma / EtO sterilization | Certification |
NATDefault | Natural / translucent, as printed | Standard supply |
What is PC-ISO?
PC-ISO is a medical-grade bisphenol-A polycarbonate FDM filament whose feedstock is evaluated to ISO 10993-1 and certified USP Class VI, and it tolerates gamma and ethylene-oxide sterilisation. Among printable thermoplastics it combines high strength and stiffness (57 MPa tensile, 4.3% elongation) with a heat deflection temperature near 130 °C, suiting surgical guides, instrument housings, medical packaging tooling and functional prototypes. Limits are layer-direction (Z) strength and toughness well below in-plane values, notch sensitivity, poor UV and organic-solvent resistance (ketones, chlorinated hydrocarbons, strong alkalis), and the need for a printer with a roughly 145 °C heated chamber. PC-ISO has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 161°C (322 °F). PC-ISO has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4.3% and the elastic modulus is 2 GPa (0.29 Msi).
What is PC-ISO used for?
- Medical devices
- Surgical guides
- Sterilizable fixtures
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 4.3%, worse than 77% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 6.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 75% of polymer grades
PC-ISO properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PC-ISO has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 161°C (322 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-ISO has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4.3% and the elastic modulus is 2 GPa (0.29 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-ISO is rated for continuous service to 118°C (244 °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 68 µm/m·K (37.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-ISO is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 61% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-ISO takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 6.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
PC-ISO's machinability is good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (25/100).
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-ISO is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PC-ISO
Is PC-ISO easy to machine?
Machines and drills cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools and air cooling; avoid coolants and stress-raising sharp corners to prevent solvent crazing and cracking.
Can PC-ISO be welded?
Joins well by ultrasonic welding, hot-plate welding or solvent/adhesive bonding (methylene-chloride-free medical adhesives, cyanoacrylate, UV-cure acrylics); layer-line porosity limits hermetic seals.
Can PC-ISO be formed, bent or molded?
Print with 330–365 °C extrusion in a ~145 °C heated chamber on a heated build sheet; dry filament thoroughly (≥4 h at 90–100 °C) or bubbles and strength loss occur.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to PC-ISO. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
3D printing
| Technologies | FDM |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
PC-ISO 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 |
|---|---|---|
| pigment/additivecolourant and processing stabilizer only in white grade | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| bisphenol-A polycarbonatemedical-grade virgin PC resin; ISO 10993-1 evaluated, USP Class VI | balance |
What surface finishes work on PC-ISO?
Sand and vapor/flame polish with care (PC is stress-crack sensitive); paintable with PC-compatible primers, and parts intended for sterilization should be cleaned of support residue first.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Coating
Coloring
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PC-ISO in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- 10993 PCPC
- Trade names
- Medical PC
How much does PC-ISO cost?
PC-ISO is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), cheaper than about 60% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PC-ISO — frequently asked
What is PC-ISO used for?
PC-ISO is typically used for medical devices, surgical guides and sterilizable fixtures. In short: biocompatible medical PC.
What is the yield strength of PC-ISO?
PC-ISO has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is PC-ISO easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades). Machines and drills cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools and air cooling; avoid coolants and stress-raising sharp corners to prevent solvent crazing and cracking.
Can PC-ISO be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Joins well by ultrasonic welding, hot-plate welding or solvent/adhesive bonding (methylene-chloride-free medical adhesives, cyanoacrylate, UV-cure acrylics); layer-line porosity limits hermetic seals.
What surface finishes work on PC-ISO?
Sand and vapor/flame polish with care (PC is stress-crack sensitive); paintable with PC-compatible primers, and parts intended for sterilization should be cleaned of support residue first.
Can PC-ISO be formed, bent or molded?
Print with 330–365 °C extrusion in a ~145 °C heated chamber on a heated build sheet; dry filament thoroughly (≥4 h at 90–100 °C) or bubbles and strength loss occur.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-ISO?
PC-ISO is rated for continuous use to about 118°C (244 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PC-ISO cost?
PC-ISO is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), cheaper than about 60% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in PC-ISO?
Yes — PC-ISO is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- PC-ISO FDM Thermoplastic Material Data Sheet — Stratasys (2023)
- ISO 10993-1 Biological evaluation of medical devices — ISO (2018)
- USP <88> Biological Reactivity Tests, In Vivo (Class VI) — USP (2022)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D256 / D648 — ASTM International (2022)
- CAMPUS polycarbonate resin property sets — CAMPUS/CWFG (2024)
- 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.