ABS vs PC/ABS (Blend): PC/ABS adds heat and impact resistance over pure ABS
ABS vs PC/ABS (Blend)
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/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).
| ABS | PC/ABS (Blend) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 10350 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | ABS | PC/ABS (Blend) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 38–50 | 45–60 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 40–48 | 45–55 | MPa |
| elongation | 10–30 | 50–120 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
PC/ABS has higher impact strength (especially at low temp), higher Tg (115 vs 105°C), and better heat resistance. ABS is cheaper and easier to process with better surface finish. Choose PC/ABS for automotive/electronics housings needing heat+impact; ABS for general consumer products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABS the same as PC/ABS (Blend)?
ABS and PC/ABS (Blend) have a 65% composition overlap. PC/ABS adds heat and impact resistance over pure ABS
Can I replace ABS with PC/ABS (Blend)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (65% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ABS and PC/ABS (Blend)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. ABS is a Polymers grade, while PC/ABS (Blend) 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.