PC-MF
PC-MF is polycarbonate filled with talc or other mineral, offered at 10–30 % loading plus glass/mineral hybrid, impact-modified, flame-retardant and UV conditions.
Reference datasheet — PC-MF 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.
Values for the MF20 condition
PC-MF grades and fills
PC-MF is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. MF20 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact-modified mineral filled | Use where a low-warp mineral compound still has to survive drop tests; elastomer modifier restores toughness at the cost of stiffness and HDT. | 52 | 30 | ||
Flame-retardant mineral filled | Choose for enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 plus low warpage; FR package slightly lowers strength, HDT and melt stability. | 55 | 56 | 8 | 85 Shore D |
30 % talc/mineral filled | High-filler grade for maximum rigidity, lowest CTE and tightest dimensional control where impact is not critical. | 58 | 4 | 84 HRM | |
UV/weather-stabilised mineral filled | For outdoor or lamp-adjacent parts: HALS/UV absorber package keeps colour and gloss, mechanical values essentially the same as MF20. | 59 | 61 | 10 | 85 Shore D |
MF20Default 20 % talc/mineral filled | The mainstream PC-MF compound: best balance of stiffness, isotropic shrinkage and cost for flat housings, covers and bezels. | 62 | 10 | ||
10 % talc/mineral filled | Lightest filler loading: use when you need lower shrinkage and a bit more stiffness but must retain useful notched impact. | 63 | 25 | 118 HRR | |
hybrid glass-fibre plus mineral filled | Pick when you need glass-fibre strength but the flat-panel warpage of pure GF grades is unacceptable; mineral balances the shrinkage anisotropy. | 82 | 4 |
What is PC-MF?
PC-MF is polycarbonate filled with talc or other mineral, offered at 10–30 % loading plus glass/mineral hybrid, impact-modified, flame-retardant and UV conditions. The mineral raises stiffness to 3.8 GPa and holds shrinkage near-isotropic at 0.35–0.55 %, so engineers use it for large flat molded panels where warpage control and cost matter more than clarity; typical values are 1.35 g/cm³ density, 62 MPa tensile strength and 10 % elongation. The trade-offs are much higher notch sensitivity than natural PC, a matte non-optical surface and abrasive wear on screws and nozzles; glass-filled PC is the alternative where strength governs. PC-MF has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F). PC-MF has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
What is PC-MF used for?
- large flat panel housings
- appliance parts
- automotive interior trim
- electrical panel components
Advantages
- Stiff — 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi), better than 85% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.45%, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 68/100, worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), worse than 75% of polymer grades
PC-MF properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-MF-MF20; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PC-MF has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F).
Mechanical17
PC-MF has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-MF is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 50 µm/m·K (27.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC-MF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), worse than 85% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-MF takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 75% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
PC-MF's machinability is good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades); weldability good (65/100); 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-MF is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PC-MF
Is PC-MF easy to machine?
Machines like unfilled PC but with abrasive filler: use sharp carbide tooling, high speed and modest feed with air blast, and avoid sharp internal corners since notch sensitivity is much higher than natural PC.
Can PC-MF be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser (dark grades excepted) and vibration welding all work; expect 50–70 % of unfilled-PC joint strength because filler sits in the weld plane, and solvent bonding risks stress cracking.
Can PC-MF be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 120 °C to <0.02 % moisture, mould at 280–310 °C melt / 80–110 °C tool with generous gates; shrinkage is near-isotropic at 0.35–0.55 % so flat panels stay flat, but wear-resistant screws/nozzles are recommended.
PC-MF 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 |
|---|---|---|
| talc (mineral filler)platy talc; mica/wollastonite/calcined clay used in some grades | 10 – 30 | 20 |
| coupling agent / compatibiliser | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| heat & process stabiliser, mould releasephosphite/hindered phenol plus PETS type release | 0.2 – 1 | 0.5 |
| pigment (typ. carbon black / TiO2) | 0 – 2 | 0.8 |
| polycarbonate (bisphenol-A)matrix resin, may include PCR-PC | ≥ 68 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PC-MF?
Takes paint, hard-coat and vacuum metallising well after primer, and is a common substrate for laser marking; the mineral leaves a slightly matte, non-optical surface that cannot be polished to clarity.
How much does PC-MF cost?
PC-MF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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-MF — frequently asked
What is PC-MF used for?
PC-MF is typically used for large flat panel housings, appliance parts, automotive interior trim and electrical panel components. In short: lowest-warpage filled PC; isotropic shrinkage panel resin; stiffer, lower-cost PC.
What is the yield strength of PC-MF?
PC-MF has a typical yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is PC-MF easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades). Machines like unfilled PC but with abrasive filler: use sharp carbide tooling, high speed and modest feed with air blast, and avoid sharp internal corners since notch sensitivity is much higher than natural PC.
Can PC-MF be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser (dark grades excepted) and vibration welding all work; expect 50–70 % of unfilled-PC joint strength because filler sits in the weld plane, and solvent bonding risks stress cracking.
What surface finishes work on PC-MF?
Takes paint, hard-coat and vacuum metallising well after primer, and is a common substrate for laser marking; the mineral leaves a slightly matte, non-optical surface that cannot be polished to clarity.
Can PC-MF be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 120 °C to <0.02 % moisture, mould at 280–310 °C melt / 80–110 °C tool with generous gates; shrinkage is near-isotropic at 0.35–0.55 % so flat panels stay flat, but wear-resistant screws/nozzles are recommended.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-MF?
PC-MF is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PC-MF MF20 and PC-MF MF-FR?
MF20 is the default condition — the mainstream PC-MF compound: best balance of stiffness, isotropic shrinkage and cost for flat housings, covers and bezels. MF-FR: choose for enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 plus low warpage; FR package slightly lowers strength, HDT and melt stability. Yield strength is 60 MPa in MF20 versus 55 MPa in MF-FR.
How much does PC-MF cost?
PC-MF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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
- ISO 7391 Plastics — Polycarbonate (PC) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2006)
- ASTM D3935 Standard Specification for Polycarbonate (PC) Unfilled and Reinforced Material — ASTM (2017)
- CAMPUS plastics database — mineral-filled PC datasheets — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- Makrolon / Bayblend mineral-filled PC grade datasheets — Covestro (2023)
- LEXAN resin mineral- and hybrid-filled grade datasheets — SABIC (2023)
- Engineering Plastics (ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2) — 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.