Plastic ABS vs. Plastic Polycarbonate

Compare Plastic ABS vs. Plastic Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	38.1MPasourcetypical	65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield
Ultimate tensile strength	38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	65MPasourcetypical, stress at break
Flexural strength	61.1MPasourcetypical	97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength
Elongation at break	4.6%sourcetypical	125%sourcetypical, strain at break
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.96GPasourcetypical	2.4GPasourcetypical22% stiffer
Density	1,100kg/m³sourcetypical	1,200kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	34.6kN·m/kg	54.2kN·m/kg1.56x higher
Stiffness to weight	1.78MN·m/kg	2MN·m/kg12% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	0.706GPa	0.87GPa23% stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	2.97GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,336m/s	1,414m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical	0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 C
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range	65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	325µm growth46% less
Specific heat	not sourced	1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.142mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	21.2W/m	51.7W/m2.44x more resistant
Glass transition	101°Csourcetypical	144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min
Max service temperature	86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
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.	Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values

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

Questions

Is Plastic ABS stronger than Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (1.71x).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 1,200 kg/m³ for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.4 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Plastic Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Plastic Polycarbonate?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate; Plastic 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	Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	12% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	1% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2% heavier
Strong rod or tie	1.56x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	31% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	20% 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 conducts heat better, Plastic ABS or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density