Polycarbonate (PC) (UNS PC) is a moderate-to-machine material that we run regularly for export customers. It has a density of 1.20 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 65 MPa and a typical hardness of M 75 (Rockwell). Those numbers make it the right choice for clear guards and machine windows, and a poor choice when cost or corrosion resistance matters more than mechanical performance.
On our machines we hold +/-0.02 mm on turned and milled features and reach Ra 0.8 um where the drawing calls for it. Standard lead time for Polycarbonate (PC) parts is 3-7 working days, including material procurement, machining and any finishing operation you specify.
Polycarbonate (PC): key properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| UNS / designation | PC |
| Density | 1.20 g/cm3 |
| Tensile strength | 65 MPa |
| Hardness | M 75 (Rockwell) |
| Machinability | Moderate |
| Suggested cutting speed (carbide) | 200-400 m/min |
| Relative material cost | 2 of 5 |
Machining Polycarbonate (PC): what to plan for
- Stress crazing
- Solvent attack
- Melted finish on slow passes
Cutting speed for Polycarbonate (PC) with carbide tooling sits around 200-400 m/min. Going faster burns the edge; going much slower causes rubbing and a poor surface. Air blast or flood coolant both work, but chip evacuation must be positive. If your part has thin walls or a lot of stock to remove, say so in the RFQ — we plan roughing, stress relief and finishing as separate operations when the geometry demands it.
Parts we machine in Polycarbonate (PC)
- Clear guards
- Machine windows
- Light covers
- Impact shields
Most Polycarbonate (PC) work arrives as 2D drawings with a mix of critical and non-critical features. Loosening tolerance on the non-critical ones is the fastest way to cut cost, and we will tell you which features those are before we quote.
Tolerances, finish and lead time
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| General tolerance | +/-0.02 mm |
| Achievable surface finish | Ra 0.8 um |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.8 mm (aluminium) / 1.0 mm (steel and stainless) |
| Typical lead time | 3-7 working days |
| Prototype quantity | 1 piece |
| Production quantity | 10 to 50,000 pieces |
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead time for Polycarbonate (PC) parts?
Standard is 3-7 working days from drawing release, assuming the material is in stock. Exotic grades and cast forms can add 5 to 10 days. Finishing such as anodizing or plating adds 3 to 5 days.
What tolerance can you hold in Polycarbonate (PC)?
+/-0.02 mm is routine on turned and milled features. Tighter than that is possible on specific features by grinding or lapping, but it is quoted separately because it changes the process.
Do you keep Polycarbonate (PC) in stock?
We hold common sizes of Polycarbonate (PC) and buy mill-certified stock for everything else. Material certificates are supplied with the parts on request.
Can you supply Polycarbonate (PC) parts with a certificate of conformity?
Yes. We issue a dimensional report, a material certificate and a certificate of conformity as standard for production orders, and full PPAP or AS9102 paperwork when the programme requires it.
Related pages
- Materials — the full index for this section.
- UHMW-PE CNC Machining for Wear Parts
- Magnesium AZ31 CNC Machining: Lightweight Components
- ABS CNC Machining for Prototypes and Enclosures
- D2 Tool Steel CNC Machining for Dies and Punches
- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
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