ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) vs PC (Polycarbonate): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) vs PC (Polycarbonate)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate)
UV-resistant alternative to ABS — acrylic rubber replaces butadiene for excellent weatherability. Retains color and gloss outdoors for years without coating. Similar mechanical properties to ABS but with 10× better UV resistance. Trade names: Luran S (BASF/INEOS), Geloy (SABIC). Used for automotive exterior trim, outdoor electrical housings, garden furniture, and building cladding.
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.
| ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) | PC (Polycarbonate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 6402 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) | PC (Polycarbonate) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylonitrile | 20–30% | — | — |
| Styrene | 40–60% | — | — |
| Acrylate Elastomer | 15–30% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Bisphenol-A Polycarbonate) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) | PC (Polycarbonate) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 40–55 | 55–75 | MPa |
| Elongation | 15–35 | 80–120 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | 2200–2600 | 2.2–2.4 | MPa |
| Density | |||
| Yield Strength | |||
| 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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ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) and PC (Polycarbonate) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) the same as PC (Polycarbonate)?
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) and PC (Polycarbonate) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) with PC (Polycarbonate)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) and PC (Polycarbonate)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) 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.