The differences between PC plastic and ABS plastic

　　ABS plastic (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) and PC plastic (polycarbonate) are two distinct plastic materials widely used in both industrial and consumer product applications. Due to their significant differences in chemical composition and physical properties, their applications also vary accordingly.

　　1. Uses

　　PC is a high-performance engineering plastic renowned for its excellent transparency, toughness, and heat resistance. It can withstand both high temperatures and impact forces, while also offering superior UV resistance. Thanks to these exceptional properties, PC is widely used in the manufacturing of products that demand exceptional strength and thermal stability—such as optical devices, protective eyewear, and automotive components.

　　ABS plastic, renowned for its well-balanced combination of properties, is widely used in industries such as home appliances, automotive, electronics, and toys. It’s employed to manufacture housings and components for appliances like TVs and washing machines, as well as parts for cars, including mudguards and armrests. Additionally, ABS plastic boasts excellent processing capabilities, making it versatile enough to be shaped through methods like injection molding, extrusion, and calendering.

　　2. Chemical Composition

　　PC plastic: Polycarbonate produced by the reaction of terephthalic acid with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, offering high transparency and outstanding mechanical properties.

　　ABS plastic is an engineering plastic with excellent overall performance, synthesized through the copolymerization of three monomers: acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene.

　　3. Physical Properties

　　Density: PC plastic has a density of about 1.2 grams per cubic centimeter, while ABS plastic weighs in at roughly 1.05 grams per cubic centimeter. Therefore, PC plastic is relatively heavier.

　　Transparency: PC plastic offers excellent transparency, while ABS plastic remains opaque.

　　Hardness: PC plastic has a higher hardness, typically measured using the Shore D durometer, while ABS plastic is assessed with the Shore A durometer. Although the exact values may vary depending on the testing method and standards used, PC plastic generally exhibits greater hardness than ABS plastic.

　　Heat Resistance: PC plastic has a melting point of around 260°C, offering excellent heat resistance; in contrast, ABS plastic has a much lower melting point—approximately 100°C—and thus exhibits relatively poor heat resistance.