Comparison

PC FDM Filament vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of Polycarbonate Filament for FDM and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Property

PC FDM Filament

ABS

Physical

Density

1.20-1.22 g/cm³

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.2-0.4 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Transparent to Translucent

Opaque

Shrinkage

Moderate (0.4-0.7%)

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

2.0-2.5 GPa

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

60-70 MPa

40 – 50 MPa

Elongation at Break

5-10 %

10 – 50 %

Impact Strength (Izod)

15-25 kJ/m²

200 – 400 J/m

Flexural Strength

—

60 – 80 MPa

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

130-145 °C

105 °C

Melting Point

230-300 °C (softens)

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Continuous Service Temperature

100-120 °C

70 – 90 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

120-135 °C @ 1.82 MPa

85 – 100 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

—

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

3.0-3.2

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹³-10¹⁵ Ω·cm

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15-20 MV/m

15 – 20 kV/mm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical resistance

Acids

Resistant to dilute acids

—

Bases

Attacked by strong bases

Good

Solvents

Attacked by ketones, esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons. Attacked by NaOH.

—

UV Resistance

Moderate (can yellow)

Poor (unless stabilized)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Alcohols

—

Good

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Gasoline

—

Poor

Acetone

—

Attacks / dissolves

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable (within PC stream)

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

7 (Other)

Carbon Footprint

High

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg

Bio-based Content

—

0 %