Comparison

MDPE Pipe Grade vs Polycarbonate

A side-by-side comparison of Medium-Density Polyethylene Pipe Grade and Polycarbonate.

Property

MDPE Pipe Grade

Polycarbonate

Physical

Density

0.930-0.940 g/cm³

1.20 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

<0.05 %

0.15 %

Transparency

Opaque

Transparent (88% light transmission)

Shrinkage

2-4 %

0.5 – 0.8 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

0.4-0.7 GPa

2.3 – 2.4 GPa

Tensile Strength

15-25 MPa

60 – 70 MPa

Elongation at Break

150-400 %

100 – 150 %

Impact Strength (Izod)

No Break

600 – 900 J/m

Flexural Strength

—

90 – 100 MPa

Hardness (Rockwell M)

—

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

-120 °C

147 °C

Melting Point

118-128 °C

—

Continuous Service Temperature

70-80 °C

115 – 130 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

45-55 °C

130 – 140 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.20 W/m·K

CTE

—

65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.25-2.35

2.9 – 3.0

Volume Resistivity

>10¹⁵ Ω⋅cm

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15-25 kV/mm

15 kV/mm

Chemical resistance

Acids

Excellent resistance

—

Bases

Excellent resistance

Poor

Solvents

Good resistance at room temperature, swells in hot aromatic hydrocarbons

—

UV Resistance

Poor (requires stabilization)

Poor (unless coated)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Alcohols

—

Fair

Oils

—

Good

Gasoline

—

Fair

Acetone

—

Poor (attacks)

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable

Recycling Code

2 (PE-HD)

Carbon Footprint

Moderate

~5 kg CO₂e / kg

Bio-based Content

—

0 – 50 % (bio grades)