PC/ABS Blend vs ABS
PC/ABS blend marries polycarbonate's toughness and heat resistance with ABS's processability. Compared with straight ABS, the blend delivers higher impact resistance, greater strength (~55 vs ~40 MPa), and a higher service temperature (~95 vs ~80 C), while remaining easier and cheaper to process than pure polycarbonate. ABS stays the lower-cost choice for less demanding housings and prototypes.
The verdict
Choose PC/ABS when you need higher impact resistance, strength, and heat tolerance than ABS while keeping good processability — ideal for automotive and electronics housings. Choose ABS for lower-cost housings, prototypes, and consumer parts where its toughness and easy machining are already sufficient.
Side-by-side data
| Property | PC/ABS Blend | ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Engineering Plastic | Plastic |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.13 | 1.05 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 55 | 40 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 53 | 40 |
| Elongation (%) | 80 | 10 |
| Hardness | R115 | R105 |
| Max service temp (°C) | 95 | 80 |
| Machinability | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Corrosion resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Relative cost | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Thermal cond. (W/m·K) | 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Typically used for | Tough automotive & electronics housings | Prototypes, housings & consumer parts |
Which should you choose?
Choose PC/ABS Blend when…
- Higher impact resistance is needed — the blend's elongation (~80%) far exceeds ABS (~10%)
- Greater strength is required (~55 vs ~40 MPa tensile)
- Service temperature runs higher (~95 C vs ABS ~80 C)
- The part is an automotive or electronics housing needing durability
- You want polycarbonate-like toughness with easier processing and lower cost than pure PC
- Better chemical resistance helps (blend rated 5/5 vs ABS 4.5/5)
Choose ABS when…
- Cost is the priority — ABS (~1.5) is cheaper than PC/ABS (~2.0)
- The part is a prototype, consumer housing, or low-stress enclosure
- ABS's toughness and ~80 C ceiling already meet requirements
- Easy machining and solvent bonding are needed for assembly
- 3D printing or simple injection molding of housings is the goal
- Heat and high-impact demands are modest
Key differences that matter
- PC/ABS has higher impact resistance and elongation (~80% vs ABS ~10%) — the blend's main benefit
- The blend is stronger (tensile ~55 vs ~40 MPa) and tolerates more heat (~95 C vs ~80 C)
- PC/ABS processes more easily and costs less than pure polycarbonate while keeping much of PC's toughness
- ABS is cheaper (~1.5 vs ~2.0) and remains the default for prototypes and basic housings
- Both machine reasonably and are used in injection molding; ABS also prints and glues easily
- PC/ABS has marginally better chemical resistance (5/5 vs 4.5/5)
- For the toughest, hottest housings the blend wins; for cost-driven parts ABS suffices
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Open the Material SelectorGet a Quote →Frequently asked questions
What does blending PC with ABS achieve?
It combines polycarbonate's high impact strength and heat resistance with ABS's easy processing and lower cost. The result is tougher and more heat-tolerant than ABS (impact, strength ~55 vs ~40 MPa, ~95 vs ~80 C service) yet flows and molds more easily and cheaply than pure PC. It is a deliberate middle ground for demanding housings.
Is PC/ABS worth the extra cost over ABS?
When the part sees impact, elevated temperature, or higher stress, yes — the blend's improved toughness (~80% vs ~10% elongation), strength, and ~95 C ceiling justify the ~2.0 vs ~1.5 cost. For low-stress prototypes and basic enclosures where ABS already performs, the upgrade adds cost without meaningful benefit.
Why not just use pure polycarbonate?
Pure PC is tougher and more heat-resistant still, but it is harder to process, more notch-sensitive, and more expensive. PC/ABS retains much of PC's impact and heat performance while flowing better in molds and costing less, which is why it is widely used for automotive interiors and electronics enclosures where pure PC would be overkill or harder to mold.
Can both be machined and glued?
Both machine reasonably (around 3.5/5). ABS is especially easy to solvent-bond and glue, which suits prototype assembly. PC/ABS can also be machined and bonded but, like polycarbonate, is somewhat more sensitive to stress cracking from aggressive solvents. For straightforward gluing and finishing, ABS is the simpler material.
Property values are typical/nominal figures for early-stage guidance only and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specifications against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer before production.