Comparison
Styrenic Block Copolymer Commodity vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Styrenic Block Copolymers for Commodity Applications and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
0.90-1.00 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
<0.1 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Translucent to opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
1-3 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.01-0.05 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
5-15 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
300-800 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
No break (at room temp)
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-60 to -40 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
N/A (softens)
—
Continuous Service Temperature
50-70 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
N/A
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.5-3.0
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹³-10¹⁵ Ω⋅cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-25 kV/mm
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
—
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Excellent resistance to polar solvents; softened by aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Poor (requires stabilization)
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (often compounded)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other) or depends on base polymer
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)