Materials / Compare
Plastic ABS vs. FDM Polycarbonate
Compare Plastic ABS vs. FDM Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical | 53.3MPasourcetypical40% stronger |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)40% stronger |
| Flexural strength | 61.1MPasourcetypical | 89.4MPasourcetypical46% stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 4.6%sourcetypical | 9.2%sourcetypical2x more ductile |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.96GPasourcetypical | 2.39GPasourcetypical22% stiffer |
| Density | 1,100kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange |
| Strength to weight | 34.6kN·m/kg | 44.8kN·m/kg29% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.78MN·m/kg | 2.01MN·m/kg13% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (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 | 0.706GPa | 0.867GPa23% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 2.97GPa | 3.33GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,336m/s | 1,418m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical | 0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range | 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 | 21.2W/m | 42.5W/m2x more resistant |
| Glass transition | 101°Csourcetypical | 108°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | 105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)21% hotter |
| Values for | Ultimaker ABS, 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 v5.00, April 20, 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.
Plastic ABS and FDM Polycarbonate are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic ABS stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (40%).
Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or FDM Polycarbonate?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.
Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.39 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in FDM Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or FDM Polycarbonate?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate; FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Plastic ABS | FDM Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 13% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 2% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 1% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 29% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 16% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 9% heavier | lighter |
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 is more ductile, Plastic ABS or FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM Polycarbonate stretches further before it breaks: 9.2% elongation at break against 4.6% for Plastic ABS.
Which handles higher temperatures, Plastic ABS or FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM Polycarbonate does: 105 °C against 86.6 °C for Plastic ABS, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).
Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS or FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.
Which expands less with temperature?
FDM Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.