Polycarbonate CNC keeps Medical programs moving: Machine guards, safety windows, and impact shields.
Mechanical: Ultimate Tensile Strength: 65 MPa. Steam-managed DFM validates each CNC Machining build package for Protective Guards.
CNC Machining TechnologyMaterial OverviewPolymer
Polycarbonate CNC MachiningImpact Resistant Transparent Plastic
CNC machined polycarbonate offers optical clarity, high impact resistance, and excellent dimensional stability. It is ideal for transparent guards, lenses, and structural covers that must remain tough and lightweight.
Tensile Strength
65 MPa
Flexural Modulus
2300 MPa
Temperature Resistance
N/A
Technology
CNC Machining
CNC Machining Technology
Production-Ready
CNC Machining material
Polycarbonate CNC overview
Polycarbonate is chosen for CNC machined parts that need clarity and impact resistance without the brittleness of acrylic. It performs well in enclosures, protective guards, and optical fixtures that require precise machining and finishing.
Why manufacture with Polycarbonate CNC
Polycarbonate CNC combines high impact strength and toughness and excellent optical clarity and polishability, delivering stable performance across a wide temperature range for demanding applications. From rapid prototyping to production runs, teams rely on Polycarbonate CNC to maintain tight tolerances while reducing assembly complexity through consolidated part designs.
CNC Machining Production Technology
Dedicated additive manufacturing cells optimized for production throughput and dimensional control.
Build Volume
1000 x 600 x 500 mm
Max part size
Lead Time
12-16 business days
Standard production
Layer Height
N/A (subtractive)
Resolution
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Manufactured in Forge Labs' North American production centers with serialized traceability for Polycarbonate CNC.
Technical resources
Jump to data & downloads
Navigate directly to the property tables and grab the latest datasheet for your build review.
Applications & field work
Where Polycarbonate CNC excels
Trusted for Medical and Industrial Equipment programs requiring high impact strength and toughness. Property signals below show why teams rely on it when uptime matters.
Forge Labs Steam Platform
Manufacturing intelligence for Polycarbonate CNC
Every CNC Machining build stays in sync inside Steam. Real-time DFM catches issues before production, instant quoting keeps timelines predictable.
Polycarbonate CNC keeps Medical programs moving: Transparent housings, light pipes, and lenses.
Thermal: Thermal Conductivity: 0.19 W/m-K. Steam-managed DFM validates each CNC Machining build package for Optical Components.
Polycarbonate CNC keeps Medical programs moving: Sterilizable covers and instrument panels.
Physical: Density: 1.20 g/cm3. Steam-managed DFM validates each CNC Machining build package for Medical Enclosures.
Polycarbonate CNC production examples
Polycarbonate enclosure with polished surfaces
Medical Cover
Transparent sample showcasing clarity
Material Sample
CNC machining of transparent plastics
Machining Process
Performance Dashboard
Technical performance for Polycarbonate CNC
Polycarbonate CNC delivers dependable strength and impact resistance for Transparent instrument covers and Safety guards and machine windows, helping teams move from prototype to production with confidence.
Mechanical Properties
Ultimate Tensile Strength
65 MPa
Tested to ASTM D638
Polycarbonate CNC records Ultimate Tensile Strength at 65 MPa, reinforcing its mechanical properties story.
Mechanical Properties
Yield Strength
60 MPa
Tested to ASTM D638
Polycarbonate CNC records Yield Strength at 60 MPa, reinforcing its mechanical properties story.
Mechanical Properties
Flexural Strength
90 MPa
Polycarbonate CNC records Flexural Strength at 90 MPa, reinforcing its mechanical properties story.
Polycarbonate CNC combines High impact strength and toughness and Excellent optical clarity and polishability to support Transparent instrument covers and Safety guards and machine windows that demand production-ready durability.
| Measurement | Polycarbonate CNCBase | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Tensile Strength | 65 MPa | ASTM D638 |
| Yield Strength | 60 MPa | ASTM D638 |
| Flexural Strength | 90 MPa | — |
| Flexural Modulus | 2300 MPa | — |
| Elastic Modulus | 2.3 GPa | ASTM D790 |
| Elongation at Break | 100 % | ASTM D638 |
| Hardness | 118 Rockwell R | ASTM D785 |
Mechanical Performance
Mechanical Properties
Polycarbonate CNC delivers dependable strength and impact resistance for Transparent instrument covers and Safety guards and machine windows, helping teams move from prototype to production with confidence.
Polycarbonate CNC delivers exceptional mechanical performance with excellent strength characteristics, effectively handling demanding load conditions. Its balanced mechanical profile allows it to maintain structural integrity while preventing brittleness in critical applications.
These qualities make it well-suited for Transparent instrument covers, Safety guards and machine windows, and Impact resistant lighting components, providing long-term durability in demanding environments. Polycarbonate CNC maintains dimensional stability over time, ensuring consistent performance across temperature and stress variations.
This makes it a reliable choice for applications requiring precise geometries and tight tolerances across Medical, Industrial Equipment, and Consumer Electronics. Its versatility and durability allow it to perform consistently across a wide range of mechanical applications, ensuring parts maintain their integrity under repetitive stress and environmental conditions.
Polycarbonate CNC combines High impact strength and toughness and Excellent optical clarity and polishability to support Transparent instrument covers and Safety guards and machine windows that demand production-ready durability.
Key metric
Ultimate Tensile Strength
65 MPa
Tested to ASTM D638
Key metric
Yield Strength
60 MPa
Tested to ASTM D638
Key metric
Flexural Strength
90 MPa
Dive into the data
Detailed mechanical measurements live in the performance dashboard above. Switch tabs to compare against other materials instantly.
Material Makeup
Physical Properties
Polycarbonate CNC offers consistent density and surface quality so critical features hold tolerances and downstream finishing remains predictable.
Polycarbonate CNC exhibits a density of 1.20 g/cm3 that contributes to lightweight yet durable parts. Its low moisture absorption ensures dimensional stability in varying environmental conditions.
These physical properties enable consistent part quality and predictable performance across Transparent instrument covers, Safety guards and machine windows, and Impact resistant lighting components. The material's inherent characteristics minimize warpage and maintain tight tolerances throughout the part lifecycle.
For Medical, Industrial Equipment, and Consumer Electronics, these physical attributes translate to reliable production outcomes with minimal post-processing requirements, ensuring parts meet specifications straight from the build platform.
Polycarbonate CNC delivers 1.20 g/cm3 density and Ra 0.4 micrometers surface finish so assemblies fit and finish without secondary rework.
Key metric
Density
1.20 g/cm3
Tested to ASTM D792
Key metric
Light Transmission
88 %
Tested to ASTM D1003
Key metric
Surface Roughness (flame polished)
Ra 0.4 micrometers
Tested to ISO 4287
Dive into the data
Detailed physical properties measurements live in the performance dashboard above. Switch tabs to compare against other materials instantly.
Heat Performance
Thermal Properties
Polycarbonate CNC maintains dimensional stability through temperature swings, making it a reliable option for Medical and Industrial Equipment programs that see repeated thermal cycling.
Polycarbonate CNC demonstrates excellent thermal stability with robust heat resistance, enabling it to maintain dimensional accuracy in elevated temperature environments. This thermal performance ensures parts retain their shape and mechanical properties even under thermal stress.
The material's thermal characteristics make it ideal for Transparent instrument covers, Safety guards and machine windows, and Impact resistant lighting components that experience temperature fluctuations. Its ability to withstand thermal cycling without degradation ensures long-term reliability in Medical, Industrial Equipment, and Consumer Electronics.
With an operating temperature range up to 120 °C, Polycarbonate CNC provides engineers with confidence when designing parts for thermally demanding applications, from under-hood automotive components to industrial equipment exposed to heat sources.
Polycarbonate CNC maintains geometry with a Glass Transition Temperature of 147 °C, protecting dimensional integrity during heat cycling.
Key metric
Thermal Conductivity
0.19 W/m-K
Tested to ASTM E1461
Key metric
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
65 um/m-K
Tested to ASTM E831
Key metric
Glass Transition Temperature
147 °C
Tested to ASTM D3418
Dive into the data
Detailed thermal properties measurements live in the performance dashboard above. Switch tabs to compare against other materials instantly.
Functional Performance
Electrical Properties
Polycarbonate CNC provides predictable electrical behavior for housings and functional prototypes that need controlled resistivity and dielectric strength.
Polycarbonate CNC provides controlled electrical resistivity of 1.00e+16 ohm-cm, making it suitable for electrical housings and insulators. The material's insulation properties ensure reliable performance in electrical assemblies.
These electrical characteristics enable its use in Transparent instrument covers, Safety guards and machine windows, and Impact resistant lighting components where electrical performance is critical. The material maintains consistent electrical properties across its operating temperature range, ensuring stable performance in varying conditions.
For Medical, Industrial Equipment, and Consumer Electronics requiring precise electrical behavior, Polycarbonate CNC delivers the consistency and reliability needed for functional prototypes and production parts that interact with electrical systems.
Polycarbonate CNC posts 1.00e+16 ohm-cm Volume Resistivity, giving enclosures dependable insulating performance.
Key metric
Volume Resistivity
1.00e+16 ohm-cm
Tested to ASTM D257
Dive into the data
Detailed electrical properties measurements live in the performance dashboard above. Switch tabs to compare against other materials instantly.
Resources
Datasheets and design resources
Equip your team with certification packs, design guides, and spec sheets tailored to Polycarbonate CNC.
Download center
Access the most recent datasheet and supporting documentation maintained by our engineering team.
Design guidelines
Explore printable geometry recommendations, wall thickness tips, and finishing playbooks for CNC Machining.
View CNC Machining design guideCompliance certificates
Keep your quality packet current with pre-approved certifications.
Advanced Manufacturing
Built with Precision CNC Machining Technology
Polycarbonate CNC is manufactured using advanced CNC Machining technology, ensuring optimal material properties and dimensional accuracy.
Polycarbonate CNC runs on industrial FDM platforms with heated chambers, hardened extrusion paths, and qualified material profiles to guarantee consistent layer adhesion and mechanical integrity.
Process Parameters
- Layer Height
- N/A (subtractive)
- Tolerance
- +/- 0.050 mm typical
- Build Volume: 1000 x 600 x 500 mm. Large production capacity enables efficient manufacturing of multiple parts or assemblies.
- Quality Control. In-process monitoring and batch traceability ensure consistent part quality and material properties.
Finishing Options
DeburringFlame polishingHard coatingVapor polishing
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about Polycarbonate CNC
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our customer support team.
- Polycarbonate CNC is known for its high impact strength and toughness, excellent optical clarity and polishability, stable performance across a wide temperature range, making it suitable for medical and industrial equipment applications.
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