PC Resin Datasheet Guide: Key Technical Data Buyers Should Check

A PC resin datasheet is not just a list of technical numbers. For B2B buyers, molders, and product engineers, it is the first technical filter before sampling, tooling adjustment, certification review, and mass production.

Polycarbonate resin is widely used in transparent covers, electrical housings, LED lenses, automotive lighting parts, medical device components, appliance parts, safety shields, and structural brackets. However, different PC resin grades can perform very differently in molding, impact performance, optical appearance, flame-retardant testing, outdoor aging, and dimensional stability.

A buyer may receive several datasheets from different suppliers. All of them may say “PC resin” or “polycarbonate resin.” But one grade may be a general-purpose injection molding PC. Another may be a high-flow thin-wall grade. Another may be optical grade PC. Another may be flame retardant PC. Another may be glass fiber reinforced PC or PC-ABS alloy.

If buyers only compare price per kilogram or one single value such as MFR, wrong material selection can happen very easily.

This guide explains how to read a PC resin datasheet from a practical B2B purchasing and engineering perspective. It focuses on the key technical data buyers should check, how to interpret them, what application risks they relate to, and what additional documents should be requested before purchase.

1. Why PC Resin Datasheet Reading Matters

A PC resin datasheet helps buyers understand whether a grade is suitable for a specific part, processing method, performance target, and certification requirement.

It is especially important when the application involves:

• Thin-wall injection molding
• Transparent or optical parts
• Flame-retardant electrical housings
• Outdoor covers or lighting parts
• Structural brackets
• Medical or healthcare components
• Food-contact parts
• Automotive parts
• Grade replacement projects
• Cost-down projects
• Recycled PC evaluation

A datasheet can help buyers reduce technical risk before trial production.

What can go wrong if datasheet details are ignored?

Possible Problem	Related Datasheet Data Usually Missed	Practical Result
Short shots in thin-wall parts	MFR, viscosity, processing temperature	Mold cannot fill properly
Brittle housing failure	Impact strength, elongation, test temperature	Cracking during assembly or drop test
Yellowing of clear cover	UV aging, yellowness index, light transmission retention	Outdoor appearance failure
Failed flame testing	UL94 rating, specimen thickness, UL file	Product rejection or safety risk
Warpage in reinforced parts	Mold shrinkage, flow/cross-flow shrinkage, GF content	Assembly mismatch
Haze in optical parts	Haze, transmission, drying condition, contamination control	Optical rejection
Deformation near heat source	HDT, Vicat softening temperature, RTI	Part loses shape under heat
Certification mismatch	UL, RoHS, REACH, FDA, medical documents	Customer or regulatory rejection
Cost miscalculation	Density, part weight, price per kg	Real part cost higher than expected
Unstable molding	Drying, melt temperature, residence time	Batch variation and production defects

A datasheet is not a final guarantee of production performance. But it is the first document buyers should review before ordering samples or approving a substitute material.

2. Confirm Basic Grade Information First

Before reading detailed values, buyers should first confirm what type of PC resin they are reviewing.

Many selection mistakes happen because buyers compare different material types directly. For example, comparing pure PC with PC-ABS, optical PC with general transparent PC, or FR PC with non-FR PC can lead to wrong conclusions.

Basic grade information to check

Item to Confirm	Why It Matters	Buyer Question
Resin type	Pure PC, PC alloy, reinforced PC, or recycled PC may perform differently	Is this grade pure PC or a PC blend?
Grade name	Needed for quotation, sample request, and technical traceability	What is the exact commercial grade?
Manufacturer	Different manufacturers may use different formulations and test conditions	Who produces this grade?
Processing method	Injection, extrusion, blow molding, or sheet extrusion grades are not the same	Is this grade suitable for my process?
Color form	Natural, transparent, black, opaque, or custom color may affect performance	Is the datasheet based on natural or colored material?
Grade category	General, high flow, optical, FR, UV, GF, medical, food-contact, recycled	What application direction is this grade designed for?
Typical applications	Helps judge whether the grade direction matches the final part	Are listed applications similar to my part?
Regulatory notes	Datasheet may include limited regulatory indications	Does it mention UL, food contact, medical, RoHS, or REACH?

Practical note
Do not compare datasheets before confirming that the materials belong to the same grade family and application direction.

For example:

Comparison	Is It Directly Comparable?	Reason
General purpose PC vs general purpose PC	Yes, if test conditions match	Same grade direction
High flow PC vs medium flow PC	Partly	Flow and impact trade-off must be checked
Optical PC vs general transparent PC	Not fully	Optical control level may be different
FR PC vs non-FR PC	No	Flame-retardant package changes properties
Pure PC vs PC-ABS	No	Alloy behavior is different
PC GF30 vs unfilled PC	No	Reinforcement changes stiffness, shrinkage, density, and appearance
Virgin PC vs recycled PC	Not directly	Batch stability and contamination risk differ

3. PC Resin Datasheet Key Data Overview

The table below gives a practical overview of the most important technical data in a PC resin datasheet.

Data Item	What It Means	Why Buyers Should Check It	Main Application Risk
MFR / MFI	Melt flow rate under a defined condition	Shows molding flowability	Short shots, high injection pressure, poor filling
Tensile strength	Resistance to pulling force	Useful for load-bearing comparison	Weak structural performance
Tensile modulus	Material stiffness under tension	Helps judge rigidity and deformation	Soft or flexible part behavior
Elongation at break	Ductility before break	Indicates brittle failure tendency	Cracking during assembly or impact
Flexural strength	Bending load resistance	Important for brackets and housings	Bending failure
Flexural modulus	Bending stiffness	Important for structural and precision parts	Poor dimensional control
Impact strength	Resistance to sudden force	Critical for housings, shields, covers	Brittle cracking
HDT	Heat deflection under load	Important for heat-exposed parts	Deformation under heat
Vicat softening temperature	Softening resistance reference	Helps judge thermal limit	Softening or shape loss
Light transmission	Amount of light passing through	Important for transparent and optical parts	Poor clarity
Haze	Light scattering level	Critical for lenses and optical covers	Cloudy appearance
Yellowness index	Yellow color tendency	Important for clear and outdoor parts	Yellowing complaints
UL94	Flame-retardant classification	Required for electrical parts	Failed flame testing
CTI	Electrical tracking resistance	Important for electrical insulation	Electrical safety risk
Mold shrinkage	Size change after molding	Important for mold design and assembly	Dimension mismatch
Density	Mass per unit volume	Affects part weight and cost	Wrong cost calculation
Drying condition	Moisture removal requirement	PC is moisture-sensitive	Splay, bubbles, degradation
Melt temperature	Processing temperature range	Helps set molding parameters	Degradation or poor filling
Certification notes	Regulatory and safety support	Needed for customer approval	Compliance rejection

4. Melt Flow Rate / MFR

MFR, also called melt flow rate or melt flow index, is one of the most important data points in a PC resin datasheet.

It shows how easily molten resin flows under a defined temperature and load. For PC resin, the test condition must always be checked because MFR values are only meaningful when the test conditions are the same.

What buyers should check

MFR Check Point	Why It Matters
MFR value	Indicates relative flowability
Test temperature	Different temperatures give different results
Test load	Different loads change the value
Unit	Usually g/10 min
Comparison with current grade	Helps judge replacement feasibility
Relation with impact strength	Higher flow may sometimes reduce toughness
Recommended processing window	Needed for practical molding setup
Application wall thickness	Thin-wall parts usually need better flow

Practical MFR interpretation

MFR Level	Typical Meaning	Suitable Applications	Buyer Warning
Low MFR PC	Higher melt viscosity, lower flow	Thick-wall parts, extrusion, applications needing melt strength	Harder to fill thin-wall parts
Medium MFR PC	Balanced flow and performance	General injection molding, covers, standard housings	Often a safe starting point, but not always ideal
High MFR PC	Easier flow, lower viscosity	Thin-wall housings, complex cavities, multi-cavity molds	Impact strength and heat resistance must be checked

Common mistake

Many buyers think high MFR is always better. This is not correct.

High MFR PC may help with thin-wall filling and lower injection pressure. But buyers must also check:

• Impact strength
• Elongation
• HDT
• Residence time sensitivity
• Final part thickness
• Application load
• Processing temperature

For a thin-wall electronic housing, high flow PC may be useful. For a thick structural part requiring high toughness, very high MFR may not be the best choice.

5. Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties show how the PC resin may behave under load, bending, impact, and deformation.

For B2B buyers, these values are important when selecting material for housings, covers, brackets, clips, shields, automotive parts, and assembled components.

Main mechanical data in a PC datasheet

Property	Buyer Meaning	Important For	Do Not Misread As
Tensile strength	Pulling load resistance	Structural parts, housings, load-bearing parts	Overall toughness
Tensile modulus	Stiffness under tension	Dimensional stability, rigidity	Impact resistance
Elongation at break	Ductility before breaking	Assembly, snap-fit, crack resistance	Guaranteed toughness in all conditions
Flexural strength	Bending load resistance	Brackets, covers, mechanical parts	Long-term creep resistance
Flexural modulus	Bending stiffness	Reinforced PC, structural designs	Surface quality
Notched impact strength	Resistance to sudden impact with notch	Drop resistance, safety shields, housings	Same as unnotched impact
Unnotched impact strength	Impact resistance without notch	General toughness reference	Notch-sensitive performance

6. Tensile Strength

Tensile strength shows how much pulling stress the material can withstand before failure under a defined test method.

For PC resin, tensile strength helps compare structural performance between grades. It is useful for parts that may experience pulling, clamping, fastening, or assembly loads.

Buyers should check

• Test method
• Test speed
• Unit
• Value at standard condition
• Data after aging if available
• Data after reinforcement if GF PC
• Comparison with current material

Buyer interpretation

A higher tensile strength may indicate better load-bearing ability. But tensile strength alone does not mean the part will have better impact resistance.

For example, a glass fiber reinforced PC may show higher tensile strength and modulus than unfilled PC. But it may also have lower elongation and reduced ductility.

7. Tensile Modulus and Flexural Modulus

Modulus data shows stiffness. This is important when the part must keep shape under load or maintain tight dimensional tolerance.

Tensile modulus vs flexural modulus

Data	What It Shows	Practical Meaning
Tensile modulus	Stiffness under pulling force	Useful for deformation comparison
Flexural modulus	Stiffness under bending force	More practical for brackets, covers, housings, and ribs

For many molded PC parts, flexural modulus is especially useful because parts often face bending, compression, or assembly stress rather than pure tension.

Applications where modulus matters

• Structural brackets
• Electrical housings
• Connector components
• Automotive interior and lighting components
• Precision covers
• Appliance structural parts
• Reinforced PC components

Buyer warning

A very high modulus usually means better stiffness, but not always better toughness. Higher stiffness can come with lower elongation and higher brittleness, especially in reinforced grades.

8. Elongation at Break

Elongation at break shows how much the material can stretch before it breaks.

For PC resin, this value helps buyers understand ductility. It is especially important for parts that need assembly tolerance, snap-fit behavior, or resistance to cracking.

Why buyers should check elongation

Application Situation	Why Elongation Matters
Snap-fit part	Needs deformation during assembly
Screw boss area	Needs resistance to cracking
Transparent cover	Cracking affects appearance and safety
Thin-wall housing	Low elongation may increase brittle failure risk
Reinforced PC part	GF content may reduce elongation
Low-temperature use	Ductility may decrease under cold conditions

Buyer warning

Do not use elongation alone to judge toughness. Impact strength and real part testing are also needed.

9. Impact Strength

Impact strength is one of the most important properties for PC resin.

PC is often selected because of its toughness. However, impact performance can vary widely depending on grade type, flow level, reinforcement, flame-retardant package, color, aging, and test temperature.

Key impact data to check

Impact Data	Why It Matters
Notched Izod impact	Shows notch-sensitive impact resistance
Charpy impact	Another common impact method
Test temperature	Room temperature and low temperature values can differ greatly
Specimen thickness	Thickness affects impact result
“No break” note	Indicates very high impact performance under test condition
Reinforced grade impact	GF reinforced PC may have lower ductility
FR grade impact	Flame-retardant additives may affect toughness
Aging impact retention	Important for outdoor, heat, and long-term use

Practical applications

Impact strength is critical for:

• Electrical housings
• Safety shields
• Protective covers
• Transparent guards
• Automotive components
• Medical equipment covers
• Consumer product housings
• Parts exposed to drop impact
• Low-temperature applications

Common mistake

A buyer may see high tensile strength and assume the material has good impact strength. This is not always true.

For PC resin selection, impact data must be checked directly.

10. Thermal Properties

PC resin is often selected for its higher heat resistance compared with many commodity plastics. But different PC grades may have different thermal performance.

Key thermal properties include:

• HDT
• Vicat softening temperature
• RTI if available
• Glass transition temperature
• Heat aging data if available

11. Heat Deflection Temperature / HDT

HDT shows the temperature at which a material deflects under a specified load.

It is very important for parts used near heat sources or under mechanical load at elevated temperature.

HDT data must include load

HDT Condition	Meaning	Buyer Note
HDT at 0.45 MPa	Lower test load	Usually gives higher temperature value
HDT at 1.8 MPa	Higher test load	More demanding condition
HDT without load condition	Incomplete information	Ask supplier to confirm

Applications where HDT matters

• Electrical housings
• Power adapter cases
• Lighting components
• Automotive parts
• Appliance parts
• Heat-exposed covers
• Structural parts under load
• Battery-related components

Buyer warning

Do not compare HDT values unless the test load is the same.

A material with HDT at 0.45 MPa cannot be directly compared with another material listed at 1.8 MPa.

12. Vicat Softening Temperature

Vicat softening temperature shows the temperature at which the material begins to soften under a defined test condition.

It is not the same as HDT, but it is useful as a thermal reference.

Buyer meaning

Property	Buyer Use
HDT	Better for heat resistance under load
Vicat	Better for softening reference
Heat aging	Better for long-term heat exposure
RTI	Better for UL-related long-term thermal evaluation

Vicat is useful, but buyers should not rely on Vicat alone when the part will carry load at elevated temperature.

13. Optical Properties

For transparent PC, optical PC, LED lenses, light guides, display windows, and protective covers, optical data is critical.

A PC resin may look transparent in pellet or plaque form, but this does not automatically mean it is suitable for optical applications.

Key optical data to check

Optical Data	What It Means	Why Buyers Should Check It
Light transmission	How much light passes through	Important for lenses, windows, covers
Haze	Light scattering level	Critical for clarity and lens appearance
Yellowness index	Yellow color tendency	Important for transparent and outdoor parts
Refractive index	Optical design reference	Useful for lenses and light guides
Color value	Natural tone or color consistency	Important for appearance control
Black speck control	Contamination level	Critical for optical-grade applications
UV aging optical retention	Optical stability after exposure	Needed for outdoor transparent parts

Optical PC selection by application

Application	Key Optical Requirement	Suggested Focus
Basic transparent cover	General clarity	Transmission and appearance
LED lens	High clarity, low haze, low yellowing	Haze, YI, transmission, processing control
Display window	Stable appearance	Haze, color, black specks
Outdoor transparent cover	UV resistance and clarity retention	UV aging, YI change, impact retention
Medical transparent part	Clarity plus documentation	Optical data and regulatory support
Automotive lighting	Clarity, heat, aging	Optical aging, heat aging, UV data

Processing matters for optical PC

Even a good optical PC resin can fail if processing is not controlled.

Buyers and molders should check:

• Drying temperature
• Drying time
• Moisture level
• Hopper cleanliness
• Barrel residence time
• Mold polish
• Mold temperature
• Gate design
• Regrind use
• Contamination control
• Black speck risk

Buyer warning

Do not assume all transparent PC grades are optical grade PC.

For LED lenses, light guides, and high-clarity windows, optical properties and processing controls must be checked together.

14. Flame Retardant and Electrical Properties

For electrical and electronic applications, flame-retardant and electrical data are often deciding factors.

Common applications include:

• Power adapter housings
• Switch housings
• Electrical covers
• Connectors
• Battery components
• LED lighting housings
• Appliance parts
• Circuit protection components

Key flame-retardant and electrical data

Data	Buyer Meaning	Why It Matters
UL94 rating	Flame classification	Required for many electrical applications
Specimen thickness	Thickness at which rating is achieved	Critical for real part wall thickness
CTI	Comparative tracking index	Important for electrical insulation
Dielectric strength	Resistance to electrical breakdown	Important for electrical safety
Volume resistivity	Bulk electrical resistance	Insulation reference
Surface resistivity	Surface electrical resistance	Insulation and contamination reference
Glow wire data	Ignition resistance under hot wire condition	Required in some appliance and electrical standards
Halogen-free statement	Indicates flame-retardant system type if required	Important for customer specifications
UL Yellow Card	Official UL recognition data	Needed for formal compliance review

UL94 must be read with thickness

This is one of the most common and serious datasheet reading mistakes.

Datasheet Statement	Buyer Interpretation
UL94 V-0 at 1.5 mm	Material achieves V-0 under 1.5 mm specimen condition
UL94 V-0 at 0.8 mm	More demanding thin-wall flame rating
UL94 V-2 at 1.5 mm	Not equal to V-0 requirement
“Flame retardant” without thickness	Incomplete for engineering decision

Practical example

A buyer should not simply ask:

Do you have V-0 PC?

A better inquiry is:

We need flame retardant PC resin with UL94 V-0 at 1.5 mm for an injection molded electrical housing. Black color. Please provide datasheet, UL Yellow Card support, and processing recommendations.

This gives the supplier enough technical information to recommend the correct grade.

Buyer warning

UL94 data on a datasheet should be confirmed with official UL support if the customer requires formal compliance. Color, thickness, and formulation may affect qualification.

15. Shrinkage and Dimensional Stability

Mold shrinkage is very important for mold design, assembly fit, and dimensional control.

It is especially important for:

• Precision housings
• Connectors
• Brackets
• Automotive parts
• Assembly parts
• Thin-wall parts
• Glass fiber reinforced PC parts

Shrinkage data to check

Shrinkage Item	Why It Matters
Mold shrinkage value	Basic mold design reference
Test method	Helps understand data condition
Flow direction shrinkage	Important for reinforced materials
Cross-flow shrinkage	Important for warpage prediction
Part thickness influence	Shrinkage may change with thickness
Mold temperature influence	Processing affects final dimension
GF content	Reinforcement changes shrinkage behavior
Post-mold dimensional stability	Important for assembly parts

Unfilled PC vs GF reinforced PC

Material Type	Shrinkage Behavior	Buyer Note
Unfilled PC	More balanced shrinkage	Easier dimensional prediction
GF reinforced PC	Direction-dependent shrinkage	Flow and cross-flow values must be checked
High GF PC	Lower shrinkage but higher anisotropy	Warpage risk may increase
PC alloy	Depends on alloy system	Do not assume same shrinkage as pure PC

Buyer warning

For glass fiber reinforced PC, shrinkage is direction-dependent. Buyers and mold designers should not use one shrinkage value blindly for mold design.

16. Reinforcement Data for Glass Fiber Reinforced PC

Glass fiber reinforced PC is used when stiffness, heat resistance, dimensional stability, and lower shrinkage are more important than transparency or ductility.

Common types include:

• PC GF10
• PC GF20
• PC GF30

Key data for GF reinforced PC

Data	Why Buyers Should Check It
Glass fiber content	Indicates reinforcement level
Tensile modulus	Shows stiffness improvement
Flexural modulus	Important for bending rigidity
Tensile strength	Helps structural comparison
Impact strength	Reinforcement may reduce ductility
Elongation	Usually lower than unfilled PC
HDT	Often improved by reinforcement
Mold shrinkage	Usually lower but more directional
Density	Higher GF content increases part weight
Surface appearance	Fiber exposure may affect aesthetics
Warpage tendency	Flow orientation can create deformation

GF content is not the only selection factor

A buyer may think PC GF30 is always better than PC GF10. This is not always true.

Grade	Possible Benefit	Possible Trade-off
PC GF10	Moderate stiffness improvement	Less stiffness than GF20/GF30
PC GF20	Balanced stiffness and processability	Some loss of ductility
PC GF30	High stiffness and dimensional stability	Higher density, lower elongation, more mold wear, warpage risk

For visible parts, surface quality must also be checked. GF reinforced PC may show fiber marks or a rougher surface compared with unfilled PC.

17. Density and Real Part Cost

Density is often ignored by buyers, but it directly affects part weight and real material cost per part.

PC resin is usually purchased by weight, but molded parts are designed by volume. A material with higher density may produce a heavier part at the same volume.

This is especially important when comparing:

• Unfilled PC
• Glass fiber reinforced PC
• PC-ABS
• Recycled PC
• Mineral-filled or modified PC compounds

Basic cost calculation

Part weight = part volume × material density

Material cost per part = part weight × resin price per kg

Why density matters

Situation	Buyer Risk
GF reinforced PC has higher density	Part weight may increase
Lower price per kg material has higher density	Real cost saving may be smaller
PC alloy has different density	Cost comparison may be misleading
Recycled PC has lower price but unstable properties	Scrap rate may increase total cost
Thin-wall design uses high-flow PC	Higher resin price may be offset by lower defect rate

Buyer warning

Do not compare only price per kg. Compare real part cost, scrap rate, cycle time, and production stability.

Buyer warning

Do not compare only price per kg. Compare real part cost, scrap rate, cycle time, and production stability.

18. Processing Conditions

PC resin is sensitive to processing conditions, especially moisture and high-temperature residence time.

A datasheet often provides recommended molding conditions. These should be reviewed before sample testing and mass production.

Processing data to check

Processing Item	Why It Matters
Drying temperature	PC must be dried before processing
Drying time	Insufficient drying can cause defects
Moisture level	High moisture can degrade PC
Melt temperature	Affects flow, appearance, and degradation risk
Mold temperature	Affects surface quality, stress, and dimensions
Barrel temperature profile	Helps set machine conditions
Injection speed	Affects filling and surface appearance
Back pressure	Affects melt uniformity
Residence time	Long residence can cause degradation
Regrind recommendation	Important for appearance and property control
Venting requirement	Helps reduce burning and gas marks

Defects caused by poor drying or processing

Defect	Possible Cause
Silver streaks	Moisture, poor drying, contamination
Bubbles	Moisture or trapped gas
Splay	Moisture or volatile contamination
Yellowing	Overheating or long residence time
Black specks	Degraded material or contamination
Poor transparency	Moisture, contamination, low mold temperature
Lower impact strength	Degradation from moisture or overheating
Warpage	Mold temperature imbalance, shrinkage direction, poor design
Short shot	Low flow, low melt temperature, poor venting, insufficient pressure

Buyer warning

A PC datasheet provides recommended processing conditions, but actual molding parameters must be optimized based on machine, mold design, part thickness, gate type, and cycle target.

19. Chemical Resistance and Stress Cracking

PC resin has good impact strength and transparency, but chemical resistance must be checked carefully for some applications.

Stress cracking can occur when molded parts are exposed to chemicals, cleaners, oils, adhesives, coatings, or assembly stress.

Chemical exposure to confirm

Exposure Type	Examples
Cleaning agents	Alcohol, detergents, disinfectants
Oils and greases	Lubricants, automotive fluids
Adhesives	Solvent-based adhesives, bonding agents
Coatings	Hard coatings, paints, UV coatings
Environmental chemicals	Sunscreen, cosmetics, industrial chemicals
Assembly stress	Screws, clips, press-fit components

Buyer questions

• Will the part contact chemicals?
• Will it be cleaned with alcohol or disinfectant?
• Will it be coated, painted, or bonded?
• Will the part have high residual stress?
• Is chemical resistance data available?
• Is stress cracking testing needed?

Buyer warning

If the application involves chemical contact, do not rely only on standard mechanical data. Ask for chemical resistance guidance and validate the molded part under real use conditions.

20. UV Aging and Weatherability Data

For outdoor PC parts, UV resistance is critical.

Standard transparent PC may yellow under long-term sunlight exposure. UV stabilized PC should be considered for outdoor covers, lighting lenses, protective panels, and automotive exterior parts.

UV and weathering data to check

Data	Why It Matters
UV aging test method	Shows aging condition
Exposure time	Longer tests may better reflect outdoor use
Yellowness index change	Shows yellowing tendency
Light transmission retention	Important for clear parts
Impact retention	Shows mechanical property after aging
Color change	Important for colored parts
Surface cracking	Indicates weathering damage
Coating compatibility	Important for outdoor optical parts

Applications needing UV review

• Outdoor transparent covers
• Outdoor LED lenses
• Automotive lighting parts
• Protective shields
• Outdoor housings
• Garden equipment parts
• Solar-related covers
• Outdoor electrical boxes

Buyer warning

If the part is used outdoors, near sunlight, or under strong lighting, UV data should be checked. Do not assume standard PC is enough for long-term outdoor exposure.

21. Regulatory and Certification Documents

A PC resin datasheet is not the same as a compliance certificate.

For many B2B projects, the datasheet is only the first document. Buyers may also need official declarations, test reports, traceability documents, and certification support.

Documents buyers may need

Document	Why It Is Needed
Technical datasheet	Basic property review
COA	Lot-level quality confirmation
SDS	Safety and handling information
RoHS declaration	Restricted substances compliance
REACH declaration	EU chemical compliance support
UL Yellow Card	Electrical flame rating support
FDA-related statement	Food-contact or US market support if applicable
EU food-contact declaration	Food-contact support for Europe
ISO 10993 support	Medical biocompatibility reference if applicable
USP Class VI support	Medical or healthcare reference if applicable
Change control statement	Important for medical and regulated applications
Lot traceability document	Needed for quality control
Recycled content certificate	Needed for sustainability claims
Halogen-free statement	Required by some electrical customers
Conflict minerals or ESG documents	Required by some large customers

Documents by application

Application	Is Datasheet Enough?	Additional Documents Needed
General housing	Sometimes	COA, SDS, RoHS / REACH if required
Electrical housing	No	UL Yellow Card, UL94 support, CTI, RoHS / REACH
Medical device part	No	ISO 10993 support, USP Class VI if applicable, change control, traceability
Food-contact part	No	FDA or EU food-contact support, migration information if required
Automotive part	No	OEM-specific documents, aging data, emission data if required
Recycled-content part	No	PCR/PIR content statement, traceability, certification if claimed
Optical part	Datasheet not enough	Optical data, appearance standard, contamination control guidance

Buyer warning

Always separate performance data from compliance documents. A datasheet may mention a typical property, but formal customer approval may require official supporting documents.

22. How to Compare Two PC Resin Datasheets

When comparing two PC resin grades, buyers should avoid comparing isolated values. A professional comparison should include resin type, test method, application direction, processing condition, and certification support.

PC resin datasheet comparison table

Comparison Point	Why It Matters	Buyer Action
Same resin type?	Pure PC and PC alloy are different	Confirm material family first
Same grade category?	Optical, FR, UV, GF, and general PC have different purposes	Compare only similar grade direction
Same MFR test condition?	Different conditions make values misleading	Check temperature and load
Same impact test method?	Izod and Charpy are not interchangeable	Compare same method and temperature
Same HDT load?	HDT values differ by load	Compare 0.45 MPa with 0.45 MPa, 1.8 MPa with 1.8 MPa
Same UL94 thickness?	Flame rating depends on thickness	Confirm required wall thickness
Same color?	Color may affect optical and FR performance	Ask for color-specific data if needed
Same processing method?	Injection and extrusion grades behave differently	Confirm process suitability
Same certification support?	Datasheet alone may not satisfy customer approval	Request official documents
Same supply form?	Virgin, recycled, or modified grade differs	Confirm material source and quality control
Same technical support level?	Supplier support affects trial success	Ask for molding recommendations

Practical replacement example

If replacing an existing PC resin grade, buyers should compare:

• Resin type
• MFR and test condition
• Impact strength
• HDT and load condition
• UL94 rating and thickness
• Shrinkage
• Density
• Color
• Processing conditions
• Certification documents
• Supplier change control
• Trial molding results
• Final part testing

A datasheet match does not automatically mean the new material will work in the same mold without adjustment.

23. Common PC Datasheet Reading Mistakes

The following mistakes are common in PC resin purchasing and grade replacement projects.

Mistake	Risk	Better Practice
Only comparing price per kg	Real part cost may not be lower	Compare density, scrap rate, cycle time, and defect risk
Treating high MFR as always better	Final part may lose impact or heat performance	Compare MFR with impact, HDT, and application needs
Ignoring MFR test condition	Data comparison becomes misleading	Check temperature and load
Ignoring UL94 thickness	Flame test may fail at actual wall thickness	Confirm UL94 at required thickness
Using tensile strength to judge toughness	Brittle failure may still occur	Check impact strength and elongation
Ignoring impact test temperature	Low-temperature failure risk may be missed	Ask for low-temperature impact data if needed
Comparing pure PC with PC-ABS	Wrong material replacement decision	Confirm resin family first
Assuming transparent PC is optical grade	Haze, black specks, or yellowing may occur	Check optical data and appearance control
Ignoring drying conditions	Splay, bubbles, and degradation may occur	Follow drying recommendations
Ignoring shrinkage direction in GF PC	Warpage and assembly mismatch	Check flow and cross-flow shrinkage
Assuming datasheet values are guaranteed values	Production results may differ	Validate by trial molding and part testing
Ignoring certification documents	Customer approval may fail	Request official supporting documents
Ignoring color effect	FR or optical performance may change	Confirm data for target color
Ignoring chemical exposure	Stress cracking may occur	Validate chemical resistance

24. PC Resin Datasheet Review Checklist

Before selecting or replacing a PC resin grade, buyers should use a structured checklist.

Application fit checklist

Question	Check Result
What is the final application?
Is the part indoor or outdoor?
Is transparency required?
Is optical-grade clarity required?
Is flame retardancy required?
What UL94 rating is needed?
What is the actual wall thickness?
Is UV exposure expected?
Is chemical exposure expected?
Is the part structural or decorative?
Is dimensional tolerance tight?
Is the part assembled with screws, clips, or adhesives?
Is medical, food-contact, or automotive approval required?
What is the monthly usage?
What is the current material grade?

Datasheet data checklist

Technical Data	Checked?	Notes
Resin type
Grade name
Processing method
MFR and test condition
Tensile strength
Tensile modulus
Elongation at break
Flexural strength
Flexural modulus
Impact strength
Impact test temperature
HDT and load condition
Vicat softening temperature
Light transmission
Haze
Yellowness index
UL94 rating and thickness
CTI
Dielectric strength
Mold shrinkage
Flow/cross-flow shrinkage
Density
Drying condition
Melt temperature
Mold temperature
Regrind recommendation

Documents to request

Document	Needed?	Notes
Technical datasheet
COA
SDS
RoHS declaration
REACH declaration
UL Yellow Card
FDA-related statement
EU food-contact declaration
ISO 10993 support
USP Class VI support
Change control statement
Lot traceability document
Recycled content certificate
Halogen-free statement
Processing guide

25. Practical Supplier Inquiry Template

When requesting a PC resin grade recommendation, buyers should provide clear application information. A vague inquiry often leads to a vague recommendation.

Weak inquiry

Please quote PC resin. Need good quality and good price.

This is not enough.

Better inquiry

We need PC resin for an injection molded electrical housing.
Color: black.
Wall thickness: around 1.5 mm.
Required flame rating: UL94 V-0 at 1.5 mm.
Processing: injection molding.
Monthly usage: 5 tons.
Please recommend a suitable flame retardant PC grade and provide datasheet, UL support, COA, SDS, RoHS, REACH, and processing conditions.

Supplier inquiry form

Information to Provide	Example
Application	Electrical housing
Processing method	Injection molding
Wall thickness	1.5 mm
Color	Black
Transparency	Not required
Flame rating	UL94 V-0 at 1.5 mm
UV requirement	Indoor use
Impact requirement	Housing drop resistance
Heat requirement	Near power component
Certification	UL, RoHS, REACH
Monthly usage	5 tons
Current grade	If available
Target issue	Cost-down, replacement, short shot, warpage, certification

26. FAQ About PC Resin Datasheets

What is the most important data in a PC resin datasheet?

There is no single most important value for all applications. For thin-wall molding, MFR is critical. For housings, impact strength and HDT are important. For electrical parts, UL94 rating and thickness are critical. For optical parts, transmission, haze, and yellowness index are important.

Is higher MFR always better for PC resin?

No. Higher MFR means easier flow, but it does not automatically mean better material performance. Impact strength, heat resistance, and application requirements must also be checked.

Can I compare MFR values from two datasheets directly?

Only if the test conditions are the same. Temperature, load, and test standard must be checked.

Does UL94 V-0 mean the material is V-0 at all thicknesses?

No. UL94 rating must always be checked together with specimen thickness. V-0 at 1.5 mm is not the same as V-0 at 0.8 mm.

Is transparent PC the same as optical grade PC?

No. General transparent PC may be suitable for simple clear covers, but optical grade PC is preferred for LED lenses, light guides, and high-clarity parts.

Can datasheet values guarantee final part performance?

No. Datasheet values are usually typical test values under standard conditions. Final part performance depends on processing, mold design, part geometry, color, aging, and actual use environment.

What documents should I request besides the datasheet?

Depending on the application, buyers may need COA, SDS, RoHS, REACH, UL Yellow Card, FDA-related support, EU food-contact documents, ISO 10993 support, USP Class VI support, change control, and lot traceability.

Why is density important in PC resin purchasing?

Density affects part weight and real material cost per part. A lower price per kg does not always mean lower final cost if the material has higher density or causes higher scrap rate.

27. Need Help Reviewing a PC Resin Datasheet?

If you are comparing PC resin grades or reviewing a new supplier datasheet, send us your application details and technical requirements.

We can support PC resin datasheet review for:

• General purpose PC
• High flow PC
• Optical grade PC
• Flame retardant PC
• UV stabilized PC
• Glass fiber reinforced PC
• Medical grade PC
• Food-contact PC
• Recycled PC
• PC-ABS and other PC alloy grades

Please share:

• Application
• Processing method
• Wall thickness
• Color
• Transparency requirement
• Flame rating requirement
• UV exposure
• Mechanical requirement
• Heat resistance requirement
• Certification needs
• Current material grade
• Target quantity

We can help compare datasheets, screen suitable grades, review key technical data, and support sample selection for trial molding.