PC/ABS (Blend) vs PC (Polycarbonate): PC/ABS adds chemical resistance and processability vs pure PC
PC/ABS (Blend) vs PC (Polycarbonate)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
PC/ABS (Blend)
Polycarbonate + ABS blend — one of the most widely used industrial thermoplastic alloys. Combines PC impact strength and heat resistance with ABS processability and lower cost. Better chemical resistance than pure PC. Properties tunable by PC/ABS ratio. Trade names include Bayblend (Covestro), Cycoloy (SABIC), Pulse (Techpolymers). Used for automotive dashboards, laptop/phone housings, power tool casings, and 3D printing (FDM filament).
PC (Polycarbonate)
Polycarbonate — the transparent high-impact engineering plastic. Amorphous with outstanding impact strength (virtually unbreakable at room temp), optical clarity (~90% light transmission), and good heat resistance (Tg 145-150°C). Trade names include Lexan (SABIC), Makrolon (Covestro). Used for safety glazing, machine guards, automotive headlamp lenses, CDs/DVDs, riot shields, and electronic housings.
| PC/ABS (Blend) | PC (Polycarbonate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | PC/ABS (Blend) | PC (Polycarbonate) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 50–75% | — | — |
| ABS Component | 25–50% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Bisphenol-A Polycarbonate) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | PC/ABS (Blend) | PC (Polycarbonate) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45–60 | 55–75 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 45–55 | 58–65 | MPa |
| Elongation | 50–120 | 80–120 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| light_transmission | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| HDT/A (1.8 MPa) | |||
| Light Transmission | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) |
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Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeCompatibility Assessment
PC/ABS has better chemical resistance (esp. to fuels/oils), easier processing (lower melt viscosity), and lower cost than pure PC. PC has higher impact strength, optical transparency, and higher Tg (150 vs 115°C). Choose PC/ABS for opaque housings; PC for transparent/safety applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PC/ABS (Blend) the same as PC (Polycarbonate)?
PC/ABS (Blend) and PC (Polycarbonate) have a 70% composition overlap. PC/ABS adds chemical resistance and processability vs pure PC
Can I replace PC/ABS (Blend) with PC (Polycarbonate)?
In many cases, yes. The compositions overlap significantly (70%). However, always verify mechanical property requirements and heat treatment compatibility for your specific application.
What is the difference between PC/ABS (Blend) and PC (Polycarbonate)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PC/ABS (Blend) is a Polymers grade, while PC (Polycarbonate) is a Polymers grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.