Comparison
Carbon Fiber PA12 vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 12, Carbon Fiber Reinforced and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.10-1.20 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.3-0.5 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
0.2-0.4 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
12-20 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
100-130 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
5-10 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
10-20 kJ/m
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
40-50 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
175-185 °C
—
Continuous Service Temperature
100-120 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
140-180 °C (1.8 MPa)
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
N/A (conductive)
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^2-10^6 Ohm-cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
Low (conductive)
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Fair
—
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Good
—
UV Resistance
Fair
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (complex)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
High
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)