PC · grade
PC Optical
Properties of the Optical condition, compared with the other PC grades.
High-MFR, tightly filtered resin for lenses, light guides and lamp optics where transmission and low internal stress dominate.
What is PC Optical?
PC Optical is PC in the Optical grade — high-MFR, tightly filtered resin for lenses, light guides and lamp optics where transmission and low internal stress dominate. PC Optical has a yield strength of 63 MPa (9.14 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 72% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 80% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.341 Msi). PC Optical has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Optical is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 97% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 96% of polymer grades
PC Optical properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC Optical — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PC grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical6
PC Optical has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 147°C (297 °F).
Mechanical17
PC Optical has a yield strength of 63 MPa (9.14 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 72% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 80% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.341 Msi).
Thermal11
PC Optical is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °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 67 µm/m·K (37.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PC Optical is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 96% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC Optical takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 6.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PC Optical's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PC grades and fills
PC is also supplied in 17 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PC overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault choice when transparency plus high impact toughness is needed and loads are modest.68 MPa tensile
- GF40Highly glass-reinforced polycarbonate with maximum stiffness and dimensional stability, low CTE and near-zero ductility; used for structural housings, brackets and metal-replacement parts.150 MPa tensile
- CF20Highest specific stiffness PC compound, conductive enough for ESD housings; anisotropic and brittle.145 MPa tensile
- GF30Maximum stiffness/creep resistance and lowest shrinkage in PC; brittle and abrasive to tooling.125 MPa tensile
- CF10Stiff, light and partially static-dissipative; used for handling fixtures and slim electronic frames.105 MPa tensile
- GF20Balanced stiffness/strength upgrade for structural housings and brackets.100 MPa tensile
- GF10Modest stiffness and shrinkage improvement while keeping usable toughness; opaque.80 MPa tensile
- Extruded SheetThe form used for machetable stock, machine guards and bullet/impact glazing; excellent cold bending and thermoforming.66 MPa tensile
- FRChoose for enclosures needing a flame rating with only a small loss of impact and heat resistance.65 MPa tensile
- OpticalHigh-MFR, tightly filtered resin for lenses, light guides and lamp optics where transmission and low internal stress dominate.65 MPa tensile
- StandardThe commodity medium-viscosity molding grade (Makrolon 2405/2407, Lexan 940-class) for general housings and covers.63 MPa yield
- FR V-0For thin-wall electrical parts that must certify V-0 at 1.5 mm or less, often with 5VA option.63 MPa tensile
- ESDFor electronics trays, carriers and covers requiring controlled surface resistivity; opaque, black, reduced ductility.60 MPa tensile
- As PrintedFor 3D-printed PC tooling and jigs: keeps PC's heat resistance but layer bonding cuts strength and impact sharply.50 MPa tensile
Working with PC Optical
Is PC easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools, high speed and low feed with air/mist cooling; anneal 1–2 h near 120 °C before/after cutting to avoid stress crazing, and never use aggressive coolants.
Can PC be welded?
Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and solvent/adhesive bonding (methylene-chloride or urethane/epoxy); avoid over-welding that traps stress, and dry parts first.
Can PC be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (120 °C, 3–4 h) before molding at 280–320 °C melt / 80–120 °C mold; sheet thermoforms and cold line-bends easily with generous bend radii (>1.5× thickness cold).
What surface finishes work on PC?
Takes vacuum metallizing, hard-coat (silicone/acrylic) for scratch and UV protection, pad printing and paint with PC-compatible solvent systems; polish with fine abrasives and plastic compound, and avoid alkaline or ketone cleaners.
PC 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 |
|---|---|---|
| heat/process stabilizer (phosphite, hind | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| mold release (ester/wax) | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| UV absorber (benzotriazole/triazine)only in UV-stabilized/weatherable grades | 0 – 1 | 0 |
| glass fiberGF10–GF40 reinforced variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| carbon fiberCF10–CF30 variants | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| flame retardant (organic phosphate / sulFR / V-0 variants | 0 – 8 | 0 |
| bisphenol-A polycarbonate (BPA-PC) resinlinear aromatic polycarbonate from bisphenol A + phosgene or melt transesterification with diphenyl carbonate | ≥ 95 (balance) | — |
PC Optical — frequently asked
What is PC Optical used for?
PC Optical is typically used for machine guards and safety shields, clear windows and glazing panels, lighting lenses and light pipes, electronic and instrument enclosures, medical device housings and battery and connector housings. In short: impact resistant; stiff.
What is the yield strength of PC Optical?
PC Optical has a typical yield strength of 63 MPa (9.14 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 72% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 18 listed tempers.
Is PC Optical easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools, high speed and low feed with air/mist cooling; anneal 1–2 h near 120 °C before/after cutting to avoid stress crazing, and never use aggressive coolants.
Can PC Optical be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and solvent/adhesive bonding (methylene-chloride or urethane/epoxy); avoid over-welding that traps stress, and dry parts first.
What surface finishes work on PC Optical?
Takes vacuum metallizing, hard-coat (silicone/acrylic) for scratch and UV protection, pad printing and paint with PC-compatible solvent systems; polish with fine abrasives and plastic compound, and avoid alkaline or ketone cleaners.
Can PC Optical be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02% moisture (120 °C, 3–4 h) before molding at 280–320 °C melt / 80–120 °C mold; sheet thermoforms and cold line-bends easily with generous bend radii (>1.5× thickness cold).
What is the maximum service temperature of PC Optical?
PC Optical is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 145°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PC Optical?
Yes — PC Optical is available for CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Makrolon polycarbonate product datasheets and processing guide — Covestro (2023)
- LEXAN resin product datasheets — SABIC (2023)
- Panlite / Iupilon PC grade data — Teijin / Mitsubishi Engineering-Plastics (2022)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PC ISO 10350 datasets — CWFG/CAMPUS (2024)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 7391 Plastics — Polycarbonate moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2006)
- ASTM D3935 Standard Classification System for Polycarbonate Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2017)
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.