Firstly, welcome to our first “Material of the Month”. This time we will focus on PC/ABS.
PC/ABS is Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Blend
It is one of the most widely used engineering polymers, produced from a blend of PC and ABS.
It provides a great combination of the very good processing characteristics of ABS along with the excellent mechanical properties, impact and also the heat resistance of PC.
Within the automotive sector, PC/ABS is a material in particularly high demand.
The growing move towards customer personalisation within the vehicle has led to significant change in the design of automotive interiors as consumers look for a more individual experience.
Car interiors now offer improved functionality and a much more elegant and luxurious appearance in order to satisfy this desire.
PC/ABS is widely used in both interior and exterior applications. This is due to its excellent balance of mechanical properties and ease of processing. However, the downside is that these materials can sometimes produce less attractive surfaces if the gloss level is too high.
To eliminate this issue, parts often require in-mould decoration, texturing or painting to deliver the desired low gloss appearance associated with the premium car brands.
What trade names can we provide you with?
Here are some of the trade names we have supplied: Bayblend®, Cycoloy™, Lupoy®, Pulse®, Romiloy®, Wonderloy®
A handy infographic
Below is an infographic Hardie Polymers have created. It summarises the advantages, physical properties and also the typical applications of PC/ABS.
Right-click on the image below with your mouse/touchpad. You should be able to save this handy infographic for reference later on.
Lastly, for more information about Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene you may wish to read these articles:
More about PC/ABS blends
Articles by Dr Charlie Geddes:
Looking for colour stability in plastics for outdoor exposure ?
Where are Engineering Thermoplastics Blends going ?
What are Engineering Thermoplastics?
Wikipedia:
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene