Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. FDM Polycarbonate

Compare Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. FDM Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	45MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C	53.3MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	65MPasourcetypical, 23 °C	89.4MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, 23 °C	9.2%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.3GPasourcetypical	2.39GPasourcetypical
Density	1,040kg/m³sourcetypical	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange
Strength to weight	43.3kN·m/kg	44.8kN·m/kg4% higher
Stiffness to weight	2.21MN·m/kg10% higher	2.01MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcetypical, ABS family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	0.827GPa	0.867GPa5% stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	3.48GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,487m/s	1,418m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcetypical	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcerange	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	325µm growth46% less
Specific heat	not sourced	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	21.4W/m	42.5W/m1.99x more resistant
Glass transition	not sourced	108°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	94°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (annealed 4 h/80 °C)	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 general-purpose injection-molding ABS, ISO typical values (TDS revision 08/01/2022)	Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

FDM Polycarbonate is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against 45 MPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) (18%).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter: 1,040 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.39 GPa against 2.3 GPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection), so the same part in FDM Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or FDM Polycarbonate?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)	FDM Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	10% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	12% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	13% heavier
Strong rod or tie	4% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	2% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	5% heavier

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Which expands less with temperature?

FDM Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density