Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroarchived copyFDM Polycarbonate · Poisson's ratio: base material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)Plastic ABS · Poisson's ratio: base material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
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Makrolon 2405 Technical Data SheetCovestroFDM Polycarbonate · Thermal conductivity: base material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °CFDM Polycarbonate · Thermal expansion: base material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel
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Terluran GP-22 (ABS) Product Data SheetINEOS StyrolutionPlastic ABS · Thermal conductivity: base material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typicalPlastic ABS · Thermal expansion: base material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
FDM Polycarbonate and Plastic ABS are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic ABS?
FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (40%).
Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic ABS?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.
Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic ABS?
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, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic ABS?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Plastic ABS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate.
Part that must be
FDM Polycarbonate
Plastic ABS
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
13% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
1% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
lighter
29% heavier
Strong beam
lighter
16% heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
9% 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 is more ductile, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic ABS?
FDM Polycarbonate stretches further before it breaks: 9.2% elongation at break against 4.6% for Plastic ABS.
Thermal
Which handles higher temperatures, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic ABS?
FDM Polycarbonate does: 105 °C against 86.6 °C for Plastic ABS, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).
Which conducts heat better, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic ABS?
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.