PC/ABS Blend: Impact-Resistant Engineering Thermoplastic for Consumer Electronics
Published: 2026-06-04
PC/ABS blend combines the impact resistance and heat resistance of polycarbonate with the processability and cost-effectiveness of ABS. It is the dominant material for laptop housings, smartphone cases, automotive interior trim, and electrical...
PC/ABS blend combines the impact resistance and heat resistance of polycarbonate with the processability and cost-effectiveness of ABS. It is the dominant material for laptop housings, smartphone cases, automotive interior trim, and electrical enclosures. The blend ratio (typically 50/50 to 70/30 PC/ABS) balances flowability, impact strength, and heat resistance for each application.
Technical Properties
| Density | 1.15 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 55 MPa |
| Melting Point | N/A (Amorphous blend) |
| Shrinkage Rate | 0.5-0.7% |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.5 GPa |
| Hdt | 110 °C at 1.82 MPa |
| Continuous Service Temp | 80 °C |
Engineering Tool: Shrinkage & Cost Estimator
Calculate part weight, mold cavity dimensions accounting for shrinkage, and material cost — all locally in your browser.
Equivalents & Cross-References
| Equivalent / Alternate | Action |
|---|---|
| Covestro Bayblend | |
| SABIC Cycoloy | |
| Trinseo Emerge |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use PC/ABS blend instead of pure polycarbonate?
PC/ABS offers better processability (lower melt viscosity, wider processing window) than pure PC at 20-30% lower material cost, while retaining most of PC's impact resistance. The tradeoff: lower HDT (110°C vs 135°C for PC) and reduced transparency (the blend is opaque). For applications not requiring optical clarity or extreme heat resistance, PC/ABS is the more economical and process-friendly choice.
Related Diagnostics & Materials
PA6 Nylon 6 GF30 (30% Glass Fiber): High-Strength...
PA6 (Nylon 6) with 30% glass fiber reinforcement is the workhorse engineering thermoplastic for structural...
POM Delrin Homopolymer: Low-Friction High-Stiffness...
POM (polyoxymethylene) homopolymer, best known as DuPont Delrin, is the standard material for precision gears,...
References & Industry Standards
- ASTM International. Standard Specifications for Engineering Plastics & Thermoplastics. astm.org
- UL Prospector. Plastics & Elastomers Material Database. ulprospector.com
- MatWeb. Material Property Data for Engineering Thermoplastics. matweb.com
- ISO 1043. Plastics — Symbols and Abbreviated Terms. iso.org