Choosing the right plastic is often trickier than thought. The properties of a material directly affect the quality, durability and applicability of the final product. In this article, we compare ABS, polycarbonate and ASA, allowing you to make a better choice for your application.
What is ABS?
ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) is a widely used thermoplastic material. It is known for its impact resistance, easy machinability and affordability. Thanks to its balance between strength and processability, ABS is often used in enclosures, car interiors and consumer products.
What is polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate (PC) is a plastic that excels in high impact resistance and transparency. It is up to 200 times stronger than glass, making it particularly suitable for protective applications such as machine guards, safety glasses and building materials. PC, although slightly more expensive and less easy to process than ABS, offers exceptional performance where strength is essential.
What is ABS polycarbonate?
A ABS/PC blend combines the advantages of both materials. The result is a plastic with the processability and cost-effectiveness of ABS, combined with the strength and heat resistance of polycarbonate. This makes it ideal for high-performance applications in automotive and electronics.
What is ASA?
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylester) is very similar to ABS, but is specially designed for weather resistance. It discolours less quickly under the influence of UV light and is therefore a better choice for outdoor applications, such as facade panels and garden furniture.
ABS vs polycarbonate: which is better?
The choice depends on the application:
- Choose ABS if you are looking for an affordable and easy-to-process material for indoor products.
- Select polycarbonate when maximum strength, heat resistance or transparency is required.
- For a balance between the two, a ABS/PC blend be the right solution.
- For outdoor applications ASA often the best choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is polycarbonate stronger than ABS?
Yes, polycarbonate is significantly stronger and more resistant to impact.
Is ABS cheaper than polycarbonate?
Yes, ABS is usually cheaper and therefore suitable for large-scale production.
Can ABS be used outdoors?
ABS can discolour and age outdoors. For outdoor applications, ASA is a better option.
Is polycarbonate scratch-resistant?
Polycarbonate is strong, but it can get scratched. A coating is often applied to prevent this.