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PC/PET PCR (PCR / recycled-content grade)

Grade

Sustainability-driven parts where 25–60 % post-consumer content is specified and colour is dark.

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Values for the PCR condition

Other PC/PET grades and fills

PC/PET is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at PC/PET.

Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
High-impact / super-tough impact-modified grade
Pick when ductile failure is required down to −30/−40 °C, e.g. bumper fascia and energy absorbers.454716064 HRM
FR V-0
For electrical enclosures, chargers and appliance parts requiring UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm.50527074 HRM
PCRThis page
PCR / recycled-content grade
Sustainability-driven parts where 25–60 % post-consumer content is specified and colour is dark.50529070 HRM
Mineral / talc filled grade
Choose for isotropic shrinkage, low warpage and Class-A paintable exterior panels.54553080 HRM
Heat-stabilized / high-heat grade
For on-line painting and e-coat ovens or under-hood parts with elevated bake temperatures.56579076 HRM
10 % glass-fiber reinforced
Modest stiffness and dimensional-stability boost while keeping useful ductility.—758—
20 % glass-fiber reinforced
Balanced structural grade for load-bearing brackets and covers needing warp control.—955—
30 % glass-fiber reinforced
Maximum stiffness/heat resistance of the family; accept brittleness and fiber read-through.—1153.5—

What is PC/PET PCR?

PC/PET PCR is PC/PET in the PCR grade — sustainability-driven parts where 25–60 % post-consumer content is specified and colour is dark. PC/PET PCR has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi). PC/PET PCR has a density of 1.22 g/cm³ (0.0441 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 140°C (284 °F).

PC/PET PCR properties

Typical room-temperature values for PC/PET PCR; 25 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PC/PET reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical5

PC/PET PCR has a density of 1.22 g/cm³ (0.0441 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 140°C (284 °F).

Density1.22 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)250°C482 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)140°C284 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.15%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.4%

Mechanical11

PC/PET PCR has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus2.1 GPa0.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)52 MPa7.5 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)50 MPa7.3 ksi
Elongation at Break90%
Compressive Strength66 MPa9.6 ksi
Flexural Strength78 MPa11.3 ksi
Flexural Modulus2.2 GPa0.31 Msi
Izod Impact, Notched550 J/m10.3 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Rockwell M70 HRM
Hardness, Rockwell R116 HRR

Thermal11

PC/PET PCR is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °F). It conducts heat at 0.21 W/m·K (0.121 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 55% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.21 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,300 J/kg·K0.31 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)95°C203 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa114°C237 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa88°C190 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)134°C273 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB at 1.5 mm for standard unfilled grades; V-0/V-2 available only in dedicated FR compounds
Limiting Oxygen Index25%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)130°C266 °F

Electrical7

PC/PET PCR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength22 kV/mm559 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.1
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.012
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)250 V

Chemical & Environmental2

UV resistance is fair.

UV / Weathering ResistanceFair35/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryMuch better than neat PC against gasoline, motor oil, greases, dilute acids and household cleaners thanks to the semi-crystalline PET phase; attacked by strong alkalis, hot water/steam (hydrolysis of both esters), chlorinated solvents, ketones and esters.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PC/PET PCR takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability7

PC/PET PCR's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (68/100).

MachinabilityGood60/100
WeldabilityGood68/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Mold Shrinkage0.75%
Melt Flow Rate20 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)265°C509 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)75°C167 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PC/PET PCR

Is PC/PET easy to machine?

Machines like PC but with less gumming; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed with air cooling, and avoid coolants containing esters or amines.

Can PC/PET be welded?

Excellent ultrasonic, vibration and hot-plate welding; solvent bonding is limited — use polyurethane or epoxy adhesives instead.

Can PC/PET be formed, bent or molded?

Injection mold at 250–285 °C melt / 55–95 °C tool after drying 3–4 h at 100–110 °C to <0.02 % moisture; overheating or wet feed causes hydrolysis, splay and severe property loss.

What surface finishes work on PC/PET?

Readily painted and e-coated (a key reason for the alloy); textures, vacuum metallizing and pad printing are fine, but avoid aggressive solvent primers on unpainted stressed parts.

PC/PET 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC)continuous amorphous phase45 – 7060
poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)semi-crystalline phase giving chemical resistance20 – 4530
core-shell impact modifier (MBS/acrylic)3 – 127
transesterification inhibitor / stabilizphosphite-type, critical for phase stability0.2 – 1.50.8
glass fiber or mineral filleronly in reinforced variants0 – 300

PC/PET PCR — frequently asked

What is PC/PET PCR used for?

PC/PET PCR is typically used for automotive trim, cosmetic housings, appliance parts and chemical-exposed components. In short: harder surface than PC; good paint and e-coat adhesion; chemically tougher than PC.

What is the yield strength of PC/PET PCR?

PC/PET PCR has a typical yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is PC/PET PCR easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines like PC but with less gumming; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed with air cooling, and avoid coolants containing esters or amines.

Can PC/PET PCR be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). Excellent ultrasonic, vibration and hot-plate welding; solvent bonding is limited — use polyurethane or epoxy adhesives instead.

What surface finishes work on PC/PET PCR?

Readily painted and e-coated (a key reason for the alloy); textures, vacuum metallizing and pad printing are fine, but avoid aggressive solvent primers on unpainted stressed parts.

Can PC/PET PCR be formed, bent or molded?

Injection mold at 250–285 °C melt / 55–95 °C tool after drying 3–4 h at 100–110 °C to <0.02 % moisture; overheating or wet feed causes hydrolysis, splay and severe property loss.

What is the maximum service temperature of PC/PET PCR?

PC/PET PCR is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 130°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. Xenoy PC/PET resin family datasheets — SABIC Specialties (2023)
  2. Makroblend PC/polyester blend datasheets — Covestro (2022)
  3. CAMPUS plastics database, ISO 10350 single-point data for PC+PET — CWFG/CAMPUS (2024)
  4. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
  5. ISO 7391 Plastics — Polycarbonate moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2006)
  6. ASTM D256 / D638 / D790 / D648 test methods — ASTM International (2023)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.