PC-ABS

Production-grade Thermoplastic

PC-ABS (polycarbonate-ABS) is one of the most widely used industrial thermoplastics. PC-ABS offers the most desirable properties of both materials – the superior strength and heat resistance of PC and the flexibility of ABS.

PC-ABS blends are commonly used in automotive, electronics and telecommunications applications. Additionally, a PC-ABS part manufactured on a Fortus® or Stratasys F370™ 3D Printer is 5-60 percent stronger than a part made on previous FDM® systems. PC-ABS gives you conceptual modeling, functional prototyping, manufacturing tools and production parts.

PC-ABS Material Properties

Behaviour and use

TENSILE STRENGTH

41 MPa

FLEXURAL STRENGTH

68 MPa

HDT @ 66 PSI

110°C

IZOD IMPACT, NOTCHED

196 J/m

Main Uses

Production-grade thermoplastic offering the most desirable properties of both materials - the superior strength and heat resistance of PC and the flexibility of ABS. Material commonly used in the automotive, electronics and telecommunication industries.

Top Applications

Conceptual modeling
Functional prototyping
Manufacturing aids and tools
Production parts

FDM Materials Profile

Learn more about 3D printing FDM parts

The NASA Mars rover includes several FDM parts printed in PC-ABS.

NASA depends on ABS, PC-ABS and other polycarbonate materials for 3D-printed parts on the Mars rover. FDM production-grade thermoplastics like PC-ABS produce parts that are lightweight but durable enough for rugged environments.

FDM Material Applications

Learn how designers and engineers are using FDM Materials

CAD specializes in creating complex surface geometry for the plastics industry.

Design Firm 3D Prints with Stratasys machine to refine Ideas with Speed

A Stratasys F123 series printer with GrabCAD Print™ software streamlines the shared workflow of a Design Firm and makes CAD even more responsive to fast-moving projects.

3D Printing a Space Vehicle for Mars Exploration

To design such a tenacious and specialized vehicle, NASA are 3D Printing Space Vehicle Parts. For example, about 70 of the parts that make up the rover were built digitally, directly from computer designs, in the heated chamber of a production-grade Stratasys 3D Printer.

Additive Manufacturing reduces fixture costs by 65%

Oreck uses PC thermoplastic to create custom assembly pallets for its commercial vacuum business. Oreck uses Additive Manufacturing extensively to produce prototypes, specialized assembly tools and CNC milling fixtures.

Reaching New Heights of Efficiency with Additive Manufacturing Tooling

GKN Aerospace Achieves Significant Savings with Additive Manufactured Tooling and Prototypes. GKN Aerospace (GKN) is a leading multi-technology tier one aerospace supplier, serving over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers.

Additive manufacturing aerospace component

Additive Manufacturing reduces Aerospace part lead time by 95%

Rapid Processing Solutions Inc. (Rapid PSI) is a contract manufacturer that specializes in Additive Manufacturing Aerospace parts. The company uses Stratasys 3D Production Systems to make production parts for most every large business jet manufacturer worldwide.

PC-ABS Specification & Features

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	TEST METHOD	ENGLISH	METRIC
Tensile Strength (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)	ASTM D638	5,900 psi	41 MPa
Tensile Modulus (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)	ASTM D638	278,000 psi	1,900 MPa
Tensile Elongation (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)	ASTM D638	0.06	0.06
Flexural Strength (Method 1, 0.05”/min)	ASTM D790	9,800 psi	68 MPa
Flexural Modulus (Method 1, 0.05”/min)	ASTM D790	280,000 psi	1,900 MPa
IZOD Impact, notched (Method A, 23 °C)	ASTM D256	3.7 ft-lb/in	196 J/m
IZOD Impact, un-notched (Method A, 23 °C)	ASTM D256	9 ft-lb/in	481 J/m

THERMAL PROPERTIES	TEST METHOD	ENGLISH	METRIC
Heat Deflection (HDT) @ 66 psi	ASTM D648	230 °F	110 °C
Heat Deflection (HDT) @ 264 psi	ASTM D648	205 °F	96 °C
Vicat Softening Temperature	ASTM D1525	234 °F	112 °C
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)	DMA (SSYS)	257 °F	125 °C

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES	TEST METHOD	VALUE RANGE
Volume Resistivity	ASTM D257	2.0x1014 - 4.4x1013 ohm-cm
Dielectric Constant	ASTM D150-98	2.9 - 2.7
Dissipation Factor	ASTM D150-98	.0035 - .0032
Dielectric Strength	ASTM D149-09, Method A	340 - 90 V/mil

OTHER	TEST METHOD	VALUE
Specific Gravity	ASTM D792	1.1
Density	ASTM D792	0.0397 lb/in3
Rockwell Hardness	ASTM D785	R110

SYSTEM AVAILABILITY	LAYER THICKNESS	SUPPORT STRUCTURE	AVAILABLE COLOURS
Fortus 450mc™ Stratasys F900 Stratasys F123 (F370)	0.013 inch (0.330 mm) 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) 0.007 inch (0.178 mm) 0.005 inch (0.127 mm)	Soluble Supports	Black White

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology

Advantages of 3D printing PC-ABS with a Stratasys FDM Machine

Tough long-lasting parts

FDM technology works with engineering-grade thermoplastics to build strong, long-lasting and dimensionally stable parts with the best accuracy and repeatability of any 3D printing technology. PC-ABS parts are tough enough to be used as advanced conceptual models, functional prototypes, manufacturing tools and production parts.

Meet production demands

FDM systems are as versatile and durable as the parts they produce. Advanced FDM 3D Printers boast the largest build envelopes and material capacities in their class, delivering longer, uninterrupted build times, bigger parts and higher quantities than other additive manufacturing systems, delivering high throughput, duty cycles and utilization rates.

Gain new possibilities

FDM 3D Printers streamline processes from design through manufacturing, reducing costs and eliminating traditional barriers along the way. Industries can cut lead times and costs, products turn out better and get to market faster.

Learn about FDM Technology

Compatible 3D Printers

Stratasys Machines that can print with PC-ABS material

Stratasys F123

The Stratasys F123 series combines powerful FDM technology with design to print GrabCAD software for the most versatile and intelligent solution available

Fortus 450mc

A workhorse 3D printer for engineers that require demanding flexibility to print larger-sized or many parts in an array of engineering-grade materials with high speed and unfailing throughput.

Stratasys F900

The Stratasys F900 is the ultimate manufacturing-grade production 3D printer with the widest array of engineering-grade materials, maximum throughput, largest build platform, and highest accuracy.

Need to 3D print with PC-ABS?

Call us free at 1-877-219-6757 to speak to an expert, or send us your CAD model and we'll 3D print it with PC-ABS material

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