Overview
PC+ABS (Polycarbonate + Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic blend that combines the impact resistance, heat resistance, and strength of Polycarbonate (PC) with the processability, toughness, and cost-effectiveness of ABS.
By integrating the advantages of both materials, PC+ABS offers an excellent balance of mechanical performance, dimensional stability, surface quality, heat resistance, and manufacturability, making it one of the most widely used engineering plastics in automotive, electronics, industrial, and consumer product applications.
PC+ABS is widely used in:
- Automotive Interior Components
- Consumer Electronics Housings
- Medical Equipment Enclosures
- Industrial Equipment Covers
- Electrical Components
- Battery Pack Housings
- Smart Home Devices
- Telecommunications Equipment
Due to its balanced performance and design flexibility, PC+ABS has become one of the most commonly specified engineering plastic blends worldwide.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | PC+ABS |
| Full Name | Polycarbonate / Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blend |
| Material Family | Engineering Thermoplastic Alloy |
| Density | 1.10–1.20 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Black, Natural, Custom Colors |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Injection Molding, CNC Machining |
| Standard Forms | Pellets, Sheet, Rod |
| Common Blend Ratio | PC 50–70%, ABS 30–50% |
Chemical Composition
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polycarbonate (PC) | Heat Resistance & Strength |
| ABS Resin | Toughness & Processability |
| Impact Modifiers | Enhanced Durability |
| Stabilizers | Thermal Stability |
| Additives | UV, Flame Retardant, Color |
The blend provides improved performance compared with either material used independently.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 50–65 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 45–60 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 20–80% |
| Flexural Strength | 80–110 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.2–2.8 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell R110–120 |
| Izod Impact Strength | 400–800 J/m |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Impact Resistance | Excellent |
| Toughness | Excellent |
| Fatigue Resistance | Good |
| Dimensional Stability | Excellent |
PC+ABS provides significantly higher impact resistance than standard ABS.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.10–1.20 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | 0.15–0.30% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.20–0.25 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω·cm |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1200 J/kg·K |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Glass Transition Temperature | 115–125°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 100–120°C |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 115–130°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -30°C to 110°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 125°C |
PC+ABS offers substantially better heat resistance than ABS while maintaining easier processing than pure PC.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PC+ABS | 1.15 | 60 MPa |
| ABS | 1.05 | 45 MPa |
| Polycarbonate | 1.20 | 70 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
PC+ABS provides an excellent balance of strength and lightweight performance.
Impact Resistance
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature Impact | Excellent |
| Low Temperature Impact | Excellent |
| Drop Resistance | Excellent |
| Shock Resistance | Excellent |
PC+ABS maintains high toughness even in cold environments.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Dilute Acids | Good |
| Dilute Alkalis | Good |
| Oils & Greases | Good |
| Alcohols | Fair |
| Aromatic Solvents | Poor |
| Ketones | Poor |
Chemical resistance is generally better than ABS but slightly lower than some specialty engineering plastics.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 15–20 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.8–3.3 |
PC+ABS is widely used for electrical and electronic enclosures.
UV Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Standard Grade | Moderate |
| UV-Stabilized Grade | Good |
| Outdoor Durability | Good |
| Color Stability | Good |
UV-resistant grades are commonly used in automotive and outdoor applications.
Flame Resistance
| Property | Standard Grade | FR Grade |
|---|---|---|
| UL 94 Rating | HB | V-0 / V-1 |
| Self-Extinguishing | No | Yes |
| Fire Resistance | Moderate | Excellent |
Flame-retardant PC+ABS grades are widely used in electronics and battery systems.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Excellent |
| Laser Cutting | Good |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| ABS | Excellent |
| PC+ABS | Excellent |
| Polycarbonate | Good |
| Nylon 6 | Good |
PC+ABS offers excellent dimensional stability during machining.
Injection Molding Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moldability | Excellent |
| Surface Finish Quality | Excellent |
| Dimensional Accuracy | Excellent |
| Shrinkage Control | Good |
| Production Efficiency | Excellent |
PC+ABS is one of the most widely used materials for precision injection molded housings.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PC/ABS Blend |
| ASTM | PC+ABS Resin |
| UL | PC/ABS Thermoplastic |
| DIN | PC-ABS |
| JIS | PC/ABS Alloy |
| GB/T (China) | PC/ABS合金 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Pellets | Yes |
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
| Custom Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Automotive Industry
- Instrument Panels
- Center Consoles
- Interior Trim Components
- Pillar Covers
Electronics Industry
- Laptop Housings
- Monitor Frames
- Printer Components
- Smart Device Enclosures
Battery Systems
- EV Battery Covers
- Energy Storage Enclosures
- Charging Equipment Housings
Medical Industry
- Diagnostic Equipment Housings
- Medical Device Covers
- Laboratory Equipment Components
Telecommunications
- Network Equipment Housings
- Router Covers
- Server Components
Industrial Equipment
- Control Panels
- Automation Equipment Covers
- Instrument Housings
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Thermoforming | Good |
| Vacuum Forming | Good |
| Secondary Assembly | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Balance of Properties
Combines the strengths of both PC and ABS.
High Impact Resistance
More durable than standard ABS.
Improved Heat Resistance
Better thermal performance than ABS.
Excellent Surface Quality
Suitable for visible cosmetic parts.
Good Processability
Easier to mold than pure polycarbonate.
Cost Effective
Less expensive than pure PC while offering enhanced performance.
Limitations
Lower Heat Resistance Than Pure PC
Not suitable for the highest-temperature applications.
Moderate UV Resistance
Outdoor use may require UV-stabilized grades.
Chemical Sensitivity
Can be affected by certain solvents.
Higher Cost Than ABS
Performance improvements come with a moderate cost increase.
Comparison with Common Engineering Plastics
| Property | PC+ABS | ABS | PC | Nylon 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Resistance | Excellent | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| Heat Resistance | Good | Moderate | Excellent | Good |
| Surface Finish | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Processability | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Cost | Moderate | Low | Higher | Moderate |
Comparison with PC and ABS
| Property | PC+ABS | ABS | PC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Strength | High | Moderate | Highest |
| Heat Resistance | High | Moderate | Highest |
| Processability | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Surface Finish | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Cost | Moderate | Low | High |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Matte Finish
- Gloss Finish
- Textured Finish
Functional Finishes
- CNC Machined Finish
- Sanded Finish
- Bead Blasted Finish
Decorative Finishes
- Painted Finish
- UV Coating
- Silk Screen Printing
- Laser Marking
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PC+ABS?
PC+ABS is a thermoplastic alloy that combines polycarbonate and ABS to achieve balanced strength, toughness, heat resistance, and processability.
What is PC+ABS used for?
Typical applications include:
- Automotive Interiors
- Electronic Housings
- Battery Systems
- Medical Equipment
- Industrial Enclosures
Is PC+ABS stronger than ABS?
Yes. PC+ABS offers higher impact resistance, strength, and heat resistance than standard ABS.
Is PC+ABS better than Polycarbonate?
It depends on the application. PC offers higher heat resistance, while PC+ABS provides better processability and lower cost.
Can PC+ABS be machined?
Yes. PC+ABS provides excellent CNC machining performance and dimensional stability.
Why choose PC+ABS?
Because it combines:
- High Impact Resistance
- Good Heat Resistance
- Excellent Surface Quality
- Easy Processing
- Cost-Effective Performance
Is PC+ABS suitable for automotive applications?
Yes. It is one of the most widely used materials for automotive interior and electronic components.
Does GCNOV provide PC+ABS manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- PC+ABS CNC Machining
- PC+ABS Injection Molding
- Custom Plastic Fabrication
- Surface Finishing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production
- Automotive and Electronic Components Manufacturing