Comparison

Bismaleimide for High Performance vs Polycarbonate

A side-by-side comparison of Bismaleimide Resin and Polycarbonate.

Physical

Density
1.20-1.35 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.5 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Amber to Brown
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
1-2 %
0.5 – 0.8 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus
3.5-5.0 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
70-100 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
2-5 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
10-25 J/m
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
70

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature
200-280 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
N/A
Continuous Service Temperature
180-250 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
180-240 °C
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant
3.0-3.8
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^14-10^16 Ohm-cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
18-26 kV/mm
15 kV/mm

Chemical resistance

Acids
Good resistance
Bases
Moderate resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to many organic solvents
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
Good
Alcohols
Fair
Oils
Good
Gasoline
Fair
Acetone
Poor (attacks)

Sustainability

Recyclability
Difficult
Recyclable
Recycling Code
N/A
7
Carbon Footprint
High
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
0 – 50 % (bio grades)