FDM – PC-ABS
PC-ABS is a blend of polycarbonate (PC) and ABS for FDM 3D printing from Stratasys. It combines the strength and heat resistance of polycarbonate with the impact resistance and easy finishing of ABS. Choose PC-ABS when you need the strength of PC but the toughness of ABS, for rugged functional prototypes, tooling, and low-volume production parts.
What PC-ABS Is Best For
- Functional prototypes that need to survive impacts and rough handling
- Automotive interior parts, housings, and brackets
- Jigs, fixtures, and tooling
- Consumer electronics and appliance housings
- Low-volume production parts
- Large parts up to 36″ × 24″ × 36″
When another material is a better fit
- Need higher heat resistance and strength: Polycarbonate (PC)
- Need a lower-cost ABS for large parts: ABS M100
- Need ESD-safe parts: ABS-ESD7
Key Material Facts
- Very high impact strength: 241 J/m notched Izod printed on edge
- Heat deflection temperature: 118–126°C (244–259°F) at 66 psi, depending on orientation
- Glass transition temperature: 105°C (222°F)
- Combines the strength of PC with the toughness of ABS
- Can be vapor smoothed for a glossy, sealed surface
- Printed in black with soluble support
PC-ABS Material Properties
Version note: we print PC-ABS from Stratasys. Values below come from Stratasys’ published data sheet (printed on an F900, 0.010″ layers).
Mechanical properties (mean values from Stratasys’ published data sheet; XZ = on edge, along the layers; ZX = upright, across the layers)
| Property | XZ | ZX | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile yield strength | 36.5 MPa (5,300 psi) | No yield | ASTM D638 |
| Tensile strength at break | 34.7 MPa (5,040 psi) | 25.9 MPa (3,760 psi) | ASTM D638 |
| Tensile modulus | 1.99 GPa (288 ksi) | 1.87 GPa (270 ksi) | ASTM D638 |
| Elongation at break | 4.7% | 1.8% | ASTM D638 |
| Flexural strength | 61.9 MPa (8,970 psi) at 5% strain, no break | 46.2 MPa (6,700 psi) | ASTM D790 |
| Flexural modulus | 1.86 GPa (269 ksi) | 1.68 GPa (244 ksi) | ASTM D790 |
| Compressive yield strength | 96.5 MPa (14,000 psi) | 172 MPa (25,000 psi) | ASTM D695 |
| Notched Izod impact | 241 J/m (4.52 ft-lbf/in) | 34 J/m (0.64 ft-lbf/in) | ASTM D256 |
| Unnotched Izod impact | 655 J/m (12.3 ft-lbf/in) | 101 J/m (1.89 ft-lbf/in) | ASTM D4812 |
Thermal and physical properties
| Property | Value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Heat deflection temperature @ 66 psi | 117.9°C (244°F) XY; 126.1°C (259°F) XZ/ZX | ASTM D648 |
| Heat deflection temperature @ 264 psi | 107.5°C (226°F) XY; 112.0°C (234°F) XZ/ZX | ASTM D648 |
| Glass transition temperature | 105.3°C (222°F) | ASTM D7426 |
| Volume resistivity | > 6.84 × 10¹⁴ ohm-cm | ASTM D257 |
| Dielectric constant, 1 kHz (XY) | 2.62 | ASTM D150 |
| Specific gravity | 1.10 | ASTM D792 |
More information on PC-ABS is available from Stratasys, the material manufacturer.
PC-ABS runs on our large-format FDM systems, which build single parts up to 36″ × 24″ × 36″. Larger parts can be printed in sections and bonded.
FDM parts are strongest along the layers and weaker between them, so we orient each part to put strength where it is needed. Tell us how your part will be loaded when you request a quote. Our FDM Part Design Guide covers wall thickness, orientation, supports, and threaded inserts.
Finish and Color Options
PC-ABS parts are black. PC-ABS can also be vapor smoothed for a glossy, sealed surface. We ship FDM parts with a strip and ship finish: we dissolve the supports and send the part with layer lines visible. Sanding, painting, heat-set threaded inserts, and other higher levels of finish are available on request and quoted per part. See all of our finishing and post-processing options.
PC-ABS Part Gallery
Related Resources
- FDM 3D printing overview
- FDM part design guide
- Accuracy of 3D printed parts
- Machine and material comparison
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