Comparison
rABS Injection Molding vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.04-1.08 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.5 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
0.5-0.8 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.8-2.5 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
35-50 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
5-20 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
20-50 J/m
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
100-110 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
N/A (amorphous)
—
Continuous Service Temperature
70-85 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
80-95 °C (0.45 MPa)
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.7-3.0
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^15-10^17 Ohm·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-25 kV/mm
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Fair resistance
—
Bases
Fair resistance
Poor
Solvents
Good resistance to weak acids and bases, poor to strong solvents
—
UV Resistance
Poor (requires additives)
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (check local facilities)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Lower than virgin ABS
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)