PC-Si PCR
Grade
PCR = post-consumer recycled content grade
Use to meet corporate recycled-content targets in consumer electronics while retaining V-0 and good impact.
Values for the PCR condition
Other PC-Si grades and fills
PC-Si is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at PC-Si.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ultra-low-temperature impact grade | Highest PDMS block content for ductile notched failure down to about -60 to -100 °C in power tools and outdoor/EV parts. | 53 | 55 | 130 | 78 Shore D |
PCRThis page Post-consumer recycled content grade | Use to meet corporate recycled-content targets in consumer electronics while retaining V-0 and good impact. | 56 | 58 | 90 | 79 Shore D |
FR V-0 thin-wall grade | Pick when UL 94 V-0 or 5VA must be certified at 0.8–1.2 mm wall with low smoke and no halogen/antimony. | 57 | 58 | 100 | 80 Shore D |
High-flow thin-wall molding grade | For long-flow, thin-wall housings and complex IT/mobile parts where fill pressure limits design. | 57 | 58 | 100 | 80 Shore D |
Translucent / optical-clarity copolymer grade | Low-siloxane or compatibilized copolymer for light-diffusing lenses and translucent housings where some haze is acceptable. | 60 | 62 | 110 | 81 Shore D |
Antistatic / ESD-dissipative grade | Carbon-based or permanent antistat compound for electronics trays, sensor housings and dust-sensitive enclosures. | 60 | 62 | 20 | 82 Shore D |
10% glass-fiber reinforced PC-Si | Modest stiffness and dimensional-stability boost while keeping useful impact and V-0. | — | 78 | 8 | — |
20% glass-fiber reinforced PC-Si | Balanced stiffness/warpage grade for structural housings and battery brackets. | — | 95 | 5 | — |
30% glass-fiber reinforced PC-Si | Maximum stiffness/creep resistance grade; accept much lower notched impact and anisotropic shrinkage. | — | 112 | 3.5 | — |
What is PC-Si PCR?
PC-Si PCR is PC-Si in the PCR grade — use to meet corporate recycled-content targets in consumer electronics while retaining V-0 and good impact. PC-Si PCR has a yield strength of 56 MPa (8.12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 63% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi). PC-Si PCR has a density of 1.19 g/cm³ (0.043 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 143°C (289 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
PC-Si PCR properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-Si PCR; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PC-Si reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PC-Si PCR has a density of 1.19 g/cm³ (0.043 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 143°C (289 °F).
Mechanical16
PC-Si PCR has a yield strength of 56 MPa (8.12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 63% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
Thermal11
PC-Si PCR is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °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-Si PCR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 70% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-Si PCR takes about 112 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
PC-Si PCR's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (68/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PC-Si PCR
Is PC-Si easy to machine?
Machines like PC — sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high speed and low feed with air cooling; avoid sharp internal corners and anneal 120 °C to relieve stress before solvent contact.
Can PC-Si be welded?
Ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and laser welding all work well; solvent bonding with methylene-chloride blends or UV/epoxy adhesives is common but raises stress-cracking risk.
Can PC-Si be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4 h at 120 °C to <0.02 % moisture; mold at 270–305 °C melt / 70–110 °C tool with generous gates and radii; siloxane blocks give easy release but avoid excessive residence time to limit splay.
What surface finishes work on PC-Si?
Takes hard coats, PVD, painting and laser marking; use PC-compatible primers/adhesives only, and note that surface siloxane can require plasma or flame pretreatment before painting or printing.
PC-Si 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blocksoft block; higher content = better low-temperature impact and FR, more haze | 4 – 20 | 6 |
| anti-drip / flame-retardant synergist (Phalogen-free FR package in V-0 grades | 0 – 1 | 0.4 |
| heat and hydrolytic stabilizers, mold rephosphite/epoxy stabilizers | 0.1 – 0.8 | 0.4 |
| bisphenol-A polycarbonate blockPC hard segment | ≥ 80 (balance) | — |
PC-Si PCR — frequently asked
What is PC-Si PCR used for?
PC-Si PCR is typically used for electrical connectors, thin-wall enclosures requiring V0, consumer electronics housings and automotive electronics. In short: halogen-free V0 polycarbonate; best cold-impact PC grade; thin-wall flame retardance.
What is the yield strength of PC-Si PCR?
PC-Si PCR has a typical yield strength of 56 MPa (8.12 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 63% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PC-Si PCR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines like PC — sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high speed and low feed with air cooling; avoid sharp internal corners and anneal 120 °C to relieve stress before solvent contact.
Can PC-Si PCR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). Ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and laser welding all work well; solvent bonding with methylene-chloride blends or UV/epoxy adhesives is common but raises stress-cracking risk.
What surface finishes work on PC-Si PCR?
Takes hard coats, PVD, painting and laser marking; use PC-compatible primers/adhesives only, and note that surface siloxane can require plasma or flame pretreatment before painting or printing.
Can PC-Si PCR be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4 h at 120 °C to <0.02 % moisture; mold at 270–305 °C melt / 70–110 °C tool with generous gates and radii; siloxane blocks give easy release but avoid excessive residence time to limit splay.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-Si PCR?
PC-Si PCR is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F), and briefly to 145°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- LEXAN EXL siloxane copolymer resin datasheets — SABIC (2023)
- TARFLON / siloxane-copolymer PC grade data — Idemitsu Kosan (2022)
- CAMPUS ISO 10350 single-point data for PC copolymers — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- UL 94 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials — UL Solutions (2021)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 plastics test methods — ISO (2019)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
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.