Comparison

Polycarbonate vs HDPE

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

Property

Polycarbonate

HDPE

Physical

Density

1.20 g/cm³

0.95 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.15 %

< 0.01 %

Transparency

Transparent (88% light transmission)

Translucent to opaque

Shrinkage

0.5 – 0.8 %

1.5 – 3.0 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

2.3 – 2.4 GPa

1.1 GPa

Tensile Strength

60 – 70 MPa

25 – 35 MPa

Flexural Strength

90 – 100 MPa

—

Impact Strength (Izod)

600 – 900 J/m

—

Hardness (Rockwell M)

—

Elongation at Break

100 – 150 %

500 – 1000 %

Impact Strength

—

No break

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

147 °C

—

Continuous Service Temperature

115 – 130 °C

80 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

130 – 140 °C

75 °C

Thermal Conductivity

0.20 W/m·K

—

CTE

65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

—

Melting Point

—

130 °C

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.9 – 3.0

2.3

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm

—

Chemical resistance

Acids (dilute)

Good

—

Bases

Poor

Excellent

Alcohols

Fair

Excellent

Oils

Good

Gasoline

Fair

—

Acetone

Poor (attacks)

—

UV Resistance

Poor (unless coated)

Poor unless stabilized

Acids

—

Excellent

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable

Widely recycled

Recycling Code

Bio-based Content

0 – 50 % (bio grades)

0 – 100 %

Carbon Footprint

~5 kg CO₂e / kg

~1.9 kg CO₂e / kg