There is no doubt that the manufacturing industry offers almost limitless material possibilities.
If you’re looking for a plastic that fits your use case, you can usually find it among thermoplastics, thermosets, filaments, and cutting-edge 3D printing resins like LOCTITE 3D IND405.
A blend of compatible plastic polymers polymer-compounders.com can provide more of the chemical and mechanical properties you need and fewer of those you don’t.
Polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) are two of the most popular polymer blends on the market.
How is PC-ABS plastic made and when should you use it? Here’s everything you need to know.
How does PC-ABS work?
A combination of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is known as polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS). Polycarbonate’s molecular weight, PC’s ratio to ABS, and thermoplastic additives all affect the unique balance of properties.
A significant amount of heat-resistance is determined by the ratio of PC to ABS.
What are the benefits of PC-ABS?
When engineers and product teams need toughness and heat-resistance in PC as well as ductility and processability in ABS, they turn to PC-ABS. As an alternative to PC, PC-ABS is also more cost-effective.
Specifications and properties of PC-ABS
PC-ABS plastic is one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics in the world because of its mechanical properties.
Even at low temperatures, this material is strong, stiff, heat-resistant, and impact-resistant. As a result of its enhanced flow characteristics and processability, PC-ABS maintains its dimensional stability over time.
With PC-ABS, designers have a lot of creative freedom due to the material’s colorability and printable capabilities.
PC-ABS has the following mechanical specifications:
- The tensile strength of the material is 5,900 pounds per square inch
- The tensile modulus is 278,000 pounds per square inch
- 9800 pounds of flexural strength
- The flexural modulus of the material is 280,000 pounds per square inch
- Deflection of heat at 66 psi: 110°C
There are some drawbacks to PC-ABS, despite its versatility. In spite of its strength, PC-ABS is not weatherproof or fatigue resistant.
Engineers can improve chemical, UV, and oxidation resistance by adding reinforcing agents like fibre fillers or thermoplastic additives.
PC-ABS applications that are popular
The automotive and electronics industries use polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene most commonly.
The following items are made from PC-ABS plastic:
- Boxes for gloves
- Consoles overhead and in the middle
- Supports for the knees
- Seatbacks that are blow-moulded
Consumer electronics also use PC-ABS, such as:
- Frames for televisions
- Enclosures for laptop monitors
- Exteriors of phones
- Handheld devices and parts of them
Using PC-ABS for the first time
PC-ABS combines the best properties of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene into a highly processable thermoplastic blend with excellent mechanical properties.
In addition to being tough and easy to manufacture, this material is also able to withstand a wide range of high-temperature applications.
Are you considering polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene for your next project?
If you need help making the right decision, Fast Radius can help. With years of experience in material selection, we can ease the process for our partners.
We look forward to working with you – contact us today.