Comparison
SLS PP Powder vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Polypropylene Powder for Selective Laser Sintering and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
0.90-0.92 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
<0.1 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
Moderate (1.0-2.0%)
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.8-1.2 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
25-35 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
15-25 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
High (notched)
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-10 to 0 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
160-170 °C
—
Continuous Service Temperature
60-70 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
40-50 °C @ 0.45 MPa
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.2-2.3
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁵-10¹⁷ Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
20-25 MV/m
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Excellent resistance
—
Bases
Excellent resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to most organic solvents. Attacked by strong oxidizing agents.
—
UV Resistance
Poor (requires additives)
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (within SLS/MJF process)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
5 (PP)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)