PC/ABS Resin

PC/ABS (polycarbonate / acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer blend) is a thermoplastic alloy of (PC) polycarbonate and (ABS) acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Both PC/ABS materials are well known amorphous plastics. Alloying these two materials enhances processability, and provides non-halo flame retardancy.

Polycarbonate (PC) is a rigid thermoplastic that provides clarity, toughness, and good heat resistance. By itself, polycarbonate has reasonable resistance to burning, and that resistance increases by adding flame retardants that are typically halogen-containing. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene is a well know rigid thermoplastic that offers both moderate impact and moderate chemical resistance. The heat resistance of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene is lower than that of polycarbonate. Like polycarbonate, halogen containing additives are used to increase resistance to burning.

Most polymers tend to undergo a decrease in viscosity as shear rates increase. That behavior allows modest increases in injection pressure to help fill injection molded parts. Since polycarbonate very gradually decreases in viscosity as shear rates increase, it can be a challenge to process. While ABS is used in many applications, the usefulness of ABS material is limited by medium heat resistance, and by medium impact performance. Flame retardant grades of both PC and ABS primarily use “halogen FR technology,” and use of that technology can limit applications. These limitations can be overcome by using compounding technology to produce PC/ABS alloys.

ABS Material and PC – It’s Tough

Unlike PC, alloys of PC/ABS do undergo a significant decrease in viscosity as shear rates are increased. This allows PC ABS resin  to be processed more easily than pure PC. PC/ABS materials  are very tough materials. Although they are not as tough as PC alone, they are much tougher than ABS. They also have much higher heat resistance than pure ABS. A “non-halogen” flame retardant technology is used in FR PC/ABS blends. This expands the applications for this tough, moderate heat resistant material.

Although Polymer Resources offers PC/ABS blends in a wide range of melt flows, we are always willing to produce products within a 5 unit sub-range to suit a customer’s specific needs.

ABS Material and PC – Powerful and Versatile

ABS/PC is a high-performance thermoplastic combining heat, strength, and impact resistance. This versatility makes ABS PC a sought-after material in the automotive and electronics industries.

ABS/PC offers powerful benefits, whether it’s durable automotive components or protective electronics housings.

ABS PC Additives, Modifiers, and Reinforcing Agents:

• Additives – UV stability, easy release (mold releases), colorants, and other stability additives
• Modifiers – Flame retardants, impact modifiers, flow enhancers
• Reinforcing Agents – Glass fibers, mineral fillers