Comparison

HDPE vs Polycarbonate

A side-by-side comparison of High-Density Polyethylene and Polycarbonate.

Property

HDPE

Polycarbonate

Physical

Density

0.95 g/cm³

1.20 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

< 0.01 %

0.15 %

Transparency

Translucent to opaque

Transparent (88% light transmission)

Shrinkage

1.5 – 3.0 %

0.5 – 0.8 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

1.1 GPa

2.3 – 2.4 GPa

Tensile Strength

25 – 35 MPa

60 – 70 MPa

Impact Strength

No break

—

Elongation at Break

500 – 1000 %

100 – 150 %

Flexural Strength

—

90 – 100 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

—

600 – 900 J/m

Hardness (Rockwell M)

—

Thermal

Melting Point

130 °C

—

Continuous Service Temperature

80 °C

115 – 130 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

75 °C

130 – 140 °C

Glass Transition Temperature

—

147 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.20 W/m·K

CTE

—

65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.3

2.9 – 3.0

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

—

15 kV/mm

Chemical resistance

Acids

Excellent

—

Bases

Excellent

Poor

Alcohols

Excellent

Fair

Oils

Good

UV Resistance

Poor unless stabilized

Poor (unless coated)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Gasoline

—

Fair

Acetone

—

Poor (attacks)

Sustainability

Recyclability

Widely recycled

Recyclable

Recycling Code

Bio-based Content

0 – 100 %

0 – 50 % (bio grades)

Carbon Footprint

~1.9 kg CO₂e / kg

~5 kg CO₂e / kg