Expert verdict · 70% match

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)

Polymersengineering_blends

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)

Polymersengineering_plastics

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

Mechanical properties

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	%

e_modulus	2–2.6	2.2–2.4	GPa
density	1.1–1.15	1.2–1.22	g/cm3
glass_transition_temp	110–125	145–150	°C
water_absorption_24h	0.15–0.25	0.1–0.15	%
light_transmission	—	88–91	%
Tensile Strength	—	60–70	MPa
Tensile Modulus	—	2300–2500	MPa
Elongation at Break	—	80–150	%
Charpy Impact (notched)	—	60–80	kJ/m²
Density	—	1.2–1.22	g/cm³
HDT/A (1.8 MPa)	—	130–140	°C
Light Transmission	—	88–90	%
Water Absorption (24h)	—	0.1–0.15	%

Compatibility 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.

Related Comparisons

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View full data for each material:

PC/ABS (Blend) details PC (Polycarbonate) details

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.