Comparison
ABS vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Specific Gravity
1.05
—
Water Absorption (24h)
0.20 – 0.45 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Surface Finish
Matte to glossy
—
Shrinkage
0.4 – 0.9 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.8 – 2.5 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
40 – 50 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Flexural Strength
60 – 80 MPa
90 – 100 MPa
Impact Strength (Izod)
200 – 400 J/m
600 – 900 J/m
Hardness (Rockwell R)
100 – 115
—
Elongation at Break
10 – 50 %
100 – 150 %
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
105 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
Amorphous (no true Tm)
—
Continuous Service Temperature
70 – 90 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
85 – 100 °C
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
0.17 W/m·K
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.7 – 3.2
2.9 – 3.0
Surface Resistivity
10¹⁵ Ω
—
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15 – 20 kV/mm
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids (dilute)
Good
Good
Bases
Good
Poor
Alcohols
Good
Fair
Oils & Greases
Fair
—
Gasoline
Poor
Fair
Acetone
Attacks / dissolves
Poor (attacks)
UV Resistance
Poor (unless stabilized)
Poor (unless coated)
Weathering
Poor without stabilizers
—
Oils
—
Good
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (mechanical)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Bio-based Content
0 %
0 – 50 % (bio grades)
Carbon Footprint
~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg
~5 kg CO₂e / kg