Comparison

Polycarbonate vs PA66

A side-by-side comparison of Polycarbonate and Polyamide 6,6 (Nylon).

Property

Polycarbonate

PA66

Physical

Density

1.20 g/cm³

1.14 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.15 %

1.2 %

Transparency

Transparent (88% light transmission)

Opaque

Shrinkage

0.5 – 0.8 %

1.5 – 2.0 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

2.3 – 2.4 GPa

3.0 GPa (dry)

Tensile Strength

60 – 70 MPa

80 MPa

Flexural Strength

90 – 100 MPa

110 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

600 – 900 J/m

50 J/m

Hardness (Rockwell M)

—

Elongation at Break

100 – 150 %

60 %

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

147 °C

70 °C

Continuous Service Temperature

115 – 130 °C

100 – 120 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

130 – 140 °C

75 °C (unfilled)

Thermal Conductivity

0.20 W/m·K

—

CTE

65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

—

Melting Point

—

255 – 265 °C

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.9 – 3.0

4.0

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

10¹² Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm

—

Chemical resistance

Acids (dilute)

Good

—

Bases

Poor

Good

Alcohols

Fair

Good

Oils

Good

—

Gasoline

Fair

—

Acetone

Poor (attacks)

—

UV Resistance

Poor (unless coated)

Fair

Acids

—

Poor

Oils & Fuels

—

Excellent

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable

Recycling Code

Bio-based Content

0 – 50 % (bio grades)

0 – 100 % (bio grades)

Carbon Footprint

~5 kg CO₂e / kg

~7.4 kg CO₂e / kg