🧩 PC+PA – Polycarbonate + Polyamide
(High-strength technical material, combining the rigidity and thermal stability of polycarbonate with the toughness and wear resistance of polyamide. Recommended for mechanically stressed car parts exposed to oils, vibrations, and high temperatures.)
🔹 What is PC+PA
PC+PA is an advanced technical blend of polycarbonate (PC) and polyamide (PA6 or PA66), designed to provide exceptional impact resistance, dimensional stability, and resistance to chemicals and moisture.
Polycarbonate provides hardness and thermal stability, while polyamide adds flexibility, abrasion resistance, and self-lubricating properties. The result is a tough, lightweight material, stable at 130–140 °C, ideal for technical housings, brackets, and fastening parts.
🔧 Composition
- Polycarbonate (PC): 40–60 %
- Polyamide (PA6 / PA66): 40–60 %
- Stabilizer / Lubricant Additives: 1–3 %
- Density: 1.15–1.25 g/cm³
- Melting Point: ≈ 220–240 °C
- Chemical Resistance: Very good (oils, fuels, mild solvents).
- Continuous Heat Resistance: Up to 130 °C.
🚗 Where PC+PA is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Engine / Technical | Covers, brackets, consoles | Excellent oil and temperature resistance |
| Mechanical Systems | Levers, clips, fasteners | Combined hardness and elasticity |
| Electrical / Electr. | Housings, connectors, modules | Good insulation, low shrinkage |
| Technical Exterior | Sensor covers and housings | Vibration and wear resistance |
🔧 Welding Temperature and Methods
| Method | Optimal Temperature | Observations |
| Hot Air | 260 – 290 °C | Uniform heating, slow cooling |
| Heat Plate (Mirror) | 250 – 280 °C | Suitable for thick housings |
| Manual Extrusion | 250 – 280 °C | Ideal for cracks and reinforcements |
🔩 What to Weld PC+PA With (Material Compatibility)
PC+PA has stable melting, but the polyamide content limits compatibility with styrenic materials.
✅ Compatible with:
- PC+PA ↔ PC / PA6 / PA66 / PC+ABS / PC+GF – good bond.
- PC+PA ↔ PC+PBT / PC+PET / PC+PPSU – partially compatible.
❌ Incompatible with:
- PP, PE, PVC, PS, simple ABS, TPO, ASA – poor adhesion, high shrinkage.
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use PC+PA rods or technical PA66 rods at 270–290 °C. Preheat the working area to avoid moisture absorption (PA is hygroscopic). Slow and uniform cooling prevents cracking.
🏭 Manufacturers and Trade Names
- SABIC: Xenoy®
- Covestro: Makroblend®
- LG Chem: LUPOY®
- Trinseo: Pulse™
🧠 How to Identify PC+PA
- Engraved marking: >PC+PA<, >PA/PC<, >Makroblend<, >Xenoy<.
- Semi-matte, rigid, dense surface.
- Faint nylon smell when burning.
- Blue flame with yellow tip, faint amine odor.
- Softens at ≈ 260 °C without visible bubbles.
- ReplastMD practical test: if the part is rigid, slightly elastic, smells like nylon and is marked >PC+PA<, it’s a confirmed technical polycarbonate-polyamide blend.
🛠️ PC+PA Welding at ReplastMD:
At our ReplastMD service center (Chisinau, Ciocana sector), we perform professional PC+PA welding for technical covers, mechanical parts, and sensor housings, ensuring a durable and «like-new» finish.