PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a blend of PC and ABS providing unique combination of the high processability of ABS with the excellent mechanical properties, impact and heat resistance of PC.
PC/ABS blend structure.
The PC/ABS property balance is controlled by the ratio of PC and ABS in the blend, the polycarbonate molecular weight and the additive package. The ratio of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene affects mainly the heat resistance of the final product. PC/ABS blends exhibit a synergic effect resulting in excellent impact resistance at low temperatures that is better than impact resistance of ABS or PC.
Major PC/ABS brands are Pulse®, Bayblend® and Cycoloy®.
Main PC/ABS properties are:
- High impact strength even at low temperatures
- Heat resistance
- High stiffness
- Easy processing
- Low overall shrinkage and high dimensional accuracy
- Colourable & printable
PC/ABS resins fit into applications that require a high heat distortion temperature (95-125°C) and good toughness. They have excellent low temperature toughness, making them ideally suited for products that will see a broad range of temperature.
Typical PC/ABS applications are:
- Automotive
- Middle console
- Glove box
- Lower instrument panel
- Pillars
- Knee bolster
- Overhead console
- Blow moulded seatbacks
- Structural components
- Electronics
- TV frames
- Laptop monitor enclosures
- Portable hand-held devices
- LCD panels
- Keypads
- Adapters and chargers
- Mobile phone bodies