Comparison
PA6 FDM Filament vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 6 Filament for FDM and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.13-1.15 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
1.0-2.0 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
Moderate (0.8-1.2%)
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.5-3.0 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
60-70 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
15-25 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
6-12 kJ/m²
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
50-60 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
215-225 °C
—
Continuous Service Temperature
80-90 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50-60 °C @ 0.45 MPa
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
4.0-4.5
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10⁹-10¹¹ Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
12-18 MV/m
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Resistant to weak acids
—
Bases
Resistant to weak bases
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to oils, greases. Attacked by strong acids, phenols.
—
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (within PA stream)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
High
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)