Comparison

Polycarbonate vs ABS

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

Property

Polycarbonate

ABS

Physical

Density

1.20 g/cm³

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.15 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Transparent (88% light transmission)

Opaque

Shrinkage

0.5 – 0.8 %

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

2.3 – 2.4 GPa

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

60 – 70 MPa

40 – 50 MPa

Flexural Strength

90 – 100 MPa

60 – 80 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

600 – 900 J/m

200 – 400 J/m

Hardness (Rockwell M)

—

Elongation at Break

100 – 150 %

10 – 50 %

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

147 °C

105 °C

Continuous Service Temperature

115 – 130 °C

70 – 90 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

130 – 140 °C

85 – 100 °C

Thermal Conductivity

0.20 W/m·K

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Melting Point

—

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.9 – 3.0

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm

15 – 20 kV/mm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical resistance

Acids (dilute)

Good

Bases

Poor

Good

Alcohols

Fair

Good

Oils

Good

—

Gasoline

Fair

Poor

Acetone

Poor (attacks)

Attacks / dissolves

UV Resistance

Poor (unless coated)

Poor (unless stabilized)

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

7 (Other)

Bio-based Content

0 – 50 % (bio grades)

0 %

Carbon Footprint

~5 kg CO₂e / kg

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg