Material Selection Guide: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Titanium Alloy Comparison
Compare aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium for CNC machining. Analyze strength, weight, cost
High-impact transparent engineering plastic — tough and crystal-clear
Polycarbonate (PC) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic known for its exceptional impact resistance, optical clarity, and heat resistance. It is the material of choice for safety equipment, optical components, and applications requiring both transparency and durability.
PC machines well with appropriate tooling and parameters, producing clear, smooth surfaces. It offers up to 250 times the impact resistance of glass and maintains its properties across a wide temperature range (-40°C to 120°C).
Polycarbonate is available in transparent, translucent, and opaque variants, and can be tinted or colored. It is widely used for machine guards, safety visors, LED diffusers, and medical device components.
The following table lists typical mechanical, thermal, and physical properties for this material. Actual values may vary by grade and temper.
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|
We stock multiple grades for different application needs. Each grade offers distinct properties optimised for specific uses — click to view detailed specifications, machining advice and typical applications.
Optical-grade clear PC with up to 89% light transmission; ideal for protective covers, lenses, and viewing windows.
View Details OpaqueOpaque grade for internal components and housings; retains all mechanical properties of clear PC.
View Details UV ResistantUV-stabilized for outdoor use, preventing yellowing while maintaining optical transparency and mechanical properties.
View Details ReinforcedReinforced with 20% glass fiber for higher stiffness and dimensional stability; used in structural and load-bearing components.
View Details Alloy BlendCombines PC's heat resistance with ABS's processability; used in automotive interior and electronic enclosures.
View Details Medical GradeUSP Class VI and ISO 10993 compliant, sterilizable by gamma; used in medical device housings and surgical instruments.
View DetailsA selection of parts machined from this material.
This material is widely used across multiple industries for various applications, from precision prototypes to end-use production parts.
Surgical instruments, housings
Structural brackets, panels
Engine components, housings
Heat sinks, enclosures
Motor mounts, brackets
Fixtures, jigs, tooling
Frames, handles, cases
Fittings, valves, hardware
| Finish Type | Description | Ra (typical) |
|---|
The questions engineers ask most about machining, surface quality and selecting this material.
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