Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-04-02 Origin: Site
This guide compares ABS and PC in terms of:
✔ Material properties
✔ Moldability & processing challenges
✔ Cost & mold wear
✔ Best applications
Excellent flowability: Easy to fill complex molds, reducing cycle time.
Low cost: Cheaper material and less mold wear (suitable for P20/NAK80 steel).
Good impact resistance: Ideal for durable parts like toys and housings.
Surface finish options: Can be painted, electroplated, or textured.
Low heat resistance: HDT ~85–100°C (not for high-temperature applications).
Poor chemical resistance: Vulnerable to solvents (e.g., acetone).
Lower strength: Not suitable for structural load-bearing parts.
P20/1.2311 (low-cost, <500k cycles)
NAK80 (for high-gloss surfaces)
Toys, electronics housings, automotive trim, household items.
High strength & rigidity: 3x tougher than ABS (e.g., bullet-resistant glass substitutes).
High heat resistance: HDT ~130–140°C (suitable for automotive/lighting).
Optical clarity: Can be crystal-clear (e.g., lenses, transparent covers).
Chemical resistance: Resists oils, acids, and alcohols better than ABS.
Challenging processing:
High melt temp (280–320°C) → Requires H13/S136 mold steel.
Prone to stress cracking if cooled unevenly.
Higher cost: Material + mold expenses are 30–50% more than ABS.
Fast mold wear: Abrasive on softer steels (e.g., P20).
H13 (1.2344): For high-temperature resistance.
S136/420 stainless: For corrosion resistance (medical/food-grade).
Safety helmets, medical devices, LED light covers, automotive headlamp lenses.
| Factor | ABS | PC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low (material + tooling) | High (needs premium steel) |
| Moldability | Easy (good flow) | Difficult (high temp/viscosity) |
| Heat Resistance | 85–100°C | 130–140°C |
| Impact Strength | Good | Excellent (3x ABS) |
| Transparency | Opaque | Optical clarity possible |
| Best Mold Steel | P20, NAK80 | H13, S136 |
Low-cost production (high-volume consumer goods).
Easy molding with standard steels (P20).
Paintable/platable surfaces.
High strength/transparency (e.g., lenses, protective gear).
Heat resistance (e.g., automotive under-hood parts).
Chemical/UV resistance.
Balances PC’s strength and ABS’s processability (common in automotive dashboards).
For ABS:
Use a cold runner system to reduce waste.
Moderate injection speed to avoid jetting.
For PC:
Pre-dry resin (2–4 hrs at 120°C) to prevent bubbles.
Optimize gate design to minimize stress cracks.
ABS wins for cost and manufacturability, while PC excels in performance-demanding applications. Your choice depends on budget, production volume, and end-use requirements.
