Comparison
Cost-Effective Flexible Thermoplastic Polyolefin vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
0.86 - 0.95 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.1 - 0.5 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
1.0 - 2.0 %
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 - 700 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
Good (especially at low temps)
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-40 to -10 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
140 - 170 °C
—
Continuous Service Temperature
-40 to 100 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
20 - 50 °C
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.5 - 3.5
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^14 - 10^16 Ohm-cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
20 - 30 kV/mm
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
—
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Good resistance to polar solvents, acids, and bases; Poor resistance to hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Good (with additives)
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (thermoplastic)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other) or 5 (PP component)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)