PCL HMW (High molecular weight grade)
Grade
Choose for maximum toughness, melt strength and film/fiber extrusion, and for scaffolds needing slow degradation.
Values for the HMW condition
Other PCL grades and fills
PCL is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at PCL.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PCL polyol / diol prepolymer | Liquid-to-waxy hydroxyl-terminated PCL used as the soft segment for TPU, elastomers, coatings and adhesives — not a molding resin. | 3 | 3 | 15 | 43 Shore D |
Low molecular weight grade | Pick for hot-melt adhesives, coatings and easy-flow compounding where high melt fluidity beats mechanical strength. | 10 | 16 | 400 | 50 Shore D |
HMWThis page High molecular weight grade | Choose for maximum toughness, melt strength and film/fiber extrusion, and for scaffolds needing slow degradation. | 15 | 28 | 800 | 55 Shore D |
Hydroxyapatite / β-TCP filled scaffold compound | Bioceramic-filled PCL for bone scaffolds and cranio-maxillofacial implants where stiffness and osteoconductivity matter. | 15 | 18 | 60 | 62 Shore D |
What is PCL HMW?
PCL HMW is PCL in the HMW grade — choose for maximum toughness, melt strength and film/fiber extrusion, and for scaffolds needing slow degradation. PCL HMW has a yield strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 800% and the elastic modulus is 0.4 GPa (0.058 Msi). PCL HMW has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0414 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -60°C (-76 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 800%, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 87/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 45°C (113 °F), worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 58/100, worse than 92% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 28/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 15 MPa (2.18 ksi), worse than 84% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
PCL HMW properties
Typical room-temperature values for PCL HMW; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PCL reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PCL HMW has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0414 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -60°C (-76 °F).
Mechanical10
PCL HMW has a yield strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 800% and the elastic modulus is 0.4 GPa (0.058 Msi).
Thermal10
PCL HMW is rated for continuous service to 45°C (113 °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 170 µm/m·K (94.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
PCL HMW has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 92% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PCL HMW takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 75% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PCL HMW's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (87/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PCL HMW
Is PCL easy to machine?
Very soft and heat-sensitive — chill or cryo-machine, use sharp single-flute tools, high speed/light cut and air blast to avoid melting and smearing.
Can PCL be welded?
Excellent thermal bonding: hot-plate, hot-air, ultrasonic or simple hot-water joining at 60–80 °C gives near-parent-strength welds; solvent bonding with dichloromethane also works.
Can PCL be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 90–140 °C melt with a chilled 10–25 °C mold and long cooling time; dry lightly (40 °C) since resin degrades hydrolytically above ~180 °C; thermoform or hand-form directly from 65 °C hot water.
What surface finishes work on PCL?
Not paintable or platable without flame/plasma treatment; sanding gums up, so prefer as-molded or heat-smoothed surfaces.
PCL 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 |
|---|---|---|
| stabiliser / antioxidantoptional in molding grades | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| ε-caprolactone (poly(ε-caprolactone) repring-opening polymerised, typically Sn(Oct)2 catalysed; residual monomer <1 % (medical grades <0.5 %) | balance | — |
PCL HMW — frequently asked
What is PCL HMW used for?
PCL HMW is typically used for low-temp 3D printing pens/filament, hand-moldable prototyping putty, drug-delivery implants, biodegradable sutures and tissue engineering scaffolds. In short: lowest-melting biodegradable polyester; hand-formable at 60 °C; very tough, very compliant.
What is the yield strength of PCL HMW?
PCL HMW has a typical yield strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PCL HMW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades). Very soft and heat-sensitive — chill or cryo-machine, use sharp single-flute tools, high speed/light cut and air blast to avoid melting and smearing.
Can PCL HMW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (87/100). Excellent thermal bonding: hot-plate, hot-air, ultrasonic or simple hot-water joining at 60–80 °C gives near-parent-strength welds; solvent bonding with dichloromethane also works.
What surface finishes work on PCL HMW?
Not paintable or platable without flame/plasma treatment; sanding gums up, so prefer as-molded or heat-smoothed surfaces.
Can PCL HMW be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 90–140 °C melt with a chilled 10–25 °C mold and long cooling time; dry lightly (40 °C) since resin degrades hydrolytically above ~180 °C; thermoform or hand-form directly from 65 °C hot water.
What is the maximum service temperature of PCL HMW?
PCL HMW is rated for continuous use to about 45°C (113 °F), and briefly to 55°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- CAPA 6000 series polycaprolactone thermoplastics — Perstorp (2021)
- Placcel H series / Placcel polyols technical data — Daicel (2020)
- Purasorb PC 12 resorbable polymer data sheet — Corbion (2022)
- Polymer Handbook, 4th ed. (aliphatic polyesters) — Wiley (1999)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector polycaprolactone entries — CAMPUS (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.