Comparison
Hydrolysis Resistant Thermoplastic Polyurethane for Medical Applications vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) - Hydrolysis Resistant Grade for Medical and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.15 - 1.20 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.6 - 1.0 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Clear to Translucent
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
0.6 - 1.4 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.01 - 0.08 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
20 - 40 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
500 - 750 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
Good (especially notched)
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-40 to -30 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
150 - 170 °C
—
Continuous Service Temperature
-40 to 80 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
40 - 60 °C
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
5.2 - 6.2
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^11 - 10^13 Ohm-cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
16 - 24 kV/mm
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
—
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Resists oils, greases; swells in strong acids, ketones
—
UV Resistance
Fair
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (thermoplastic)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)