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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Makrolon 2405 Technical Data SheetCovestroPlastic Polycarbonate · Yield strength: typical, tensile yieldPlastic Polycarbonate · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, stress at breakPlastic Polycarbonate · Flexural strength: typical, flexural strengthPlastic Polycarbonate · Elongation at break: typical, strain at breakPlastic Polycarbonate · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalPlastic Polycarbonate · Density: typicalPlastic Polycarbonate · Thermal conductivity: typical, through-plane, 23 CPlastic Polycarbonate · Thermal expansion: typical, 23-55 C, parallel and normalPlastic Polycarbonate · Glass transition: typical, DSC 10 C/minPlastic Polycarbonate · Max service temperature: UL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
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Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroarchived copyPlastic ABS (bulk/injection) · Poisson's ratio: typical, ABS family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)Plastic Polycarbonate · Poisson's ratio: typical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
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Makrolon 2405 Data Sheet, ASTM valuesBayer MaterialSciencearchived copyPlastic Polycarbonate · Specific heat: typical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766
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.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) stronger than Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against 45 MPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) (44%).
Which is lighter, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter: 1,040 kg/m³ against 1,200 kg/m³ for Plastic Polycarbonate.
Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.4 GPa against 2.3 GPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection), so the same part in Plastic Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Plastic 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; Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)
Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
11% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
13% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
14% heavier
Strong rod or tie
25% heavier
lighter
Strong beam
11% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
4% 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 (bulk/injection) or Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate stretches further before it breaks: 125% elongation at break against 10% for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic 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?
Plastic Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).