Comparison
Acrylic (PMMA) vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.18 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.3 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Transparent (92%)
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
0.2 – 0.8 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
3.0 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
70 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Flexural Strength
110 MPa
90 – 100 MPa
Impact Strength (Izod)
20 J/m
600 – 900 J/m
Elongation at Break
5 %
100 – 150 %
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
105 °C
147 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
80 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
95 °C
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.6
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁵ Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
—
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
—
Bases
Fair
Poor
Alcohols
Poor
Fair
Acetone
Attacks
Poor (attacks)
UV Resistance
Excellent
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (chemical)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7
7
Carbon Footprint
~5.4 kg CO₂e / kg
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)