ABS vs PC (Polycarbonate): Both amorphous — PC is much tougher and transparent, ABS cheaper
ABS vs PC (Polycarbonate)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene — the most widely used amorphous engineering/commodity thermoplastic. Excellent balance of toughness, rigidity, and processability. Good surface finish and paintability. Not UV-stable without additives. Trade names include Novodur (INEOS Styrolution), Terluran (INEOS), Cycolac (SABIC). Used for automotive interior trim, appliance housings (vacuum cleaners, monitors), LEGO bricks, 3D printing filament, and pipe fittings.
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.
| ABS | PC (Polycarbonate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | ABS | PC (Polycarbonate) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylonitrile | 15–35% | — | — |
| Butadiene | 5–30% | — | — |
| Styrene | 40–60% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Bisphenol-A Polycarbonate) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | ABS | PC (Polycarbonate) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 38–50 | 55–75 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 40–48 | 58–65 | MPa |
| Elongation | 10–30 | 80–120 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| HDT/B (0.45 MPa) | |||
| Vicat Softening Temp | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| light_transmission | |||
| HDT/A (1.8 MPa) | |||
| Light Transmission |
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Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeCompatibility Assessment
PC has 3-5x higher impact strength, optical transparency, and 50°C higher Tg (150 vs 105°C). ABS is cheaper, easier to process, better surface finish for painting, and widely 3D-printable. PC/ABS blends combine advantages. Choose PC for safety-critical transparent parts; ABS for consumer housings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABS the same as PC (Polycarbonate)?
ABS and PC (Polycarbonate) have a 50% composition overlap. Both amorphous — PC is much tougher and transparent, ABS cheaper
Can I replace ABS with PC (Polycarbonate)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (50% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ABS and PC (Polycarbonate)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. ABS is a Polymers grade, while PC (Polycarbonate) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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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.