🧩 PC+ABS – Polycarbonate + Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
(Technical hybrid material, widely used in the automotive industry for rigid parts resistant to impact and moderate temperatures. Offers a perfect balance between toughness, thermal stability, and an aesthetic glossy finish.)
🔹 What is PC+ABS
PC+ABS is a thermoplastic blend resulting from the combination of polycarbonate (PC) and ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).
This blend combines the mechanical and thermal strength of PC with the flexibility and processability of ABS. The result is an ideal material for housings, frames, interior panels, and aesthetic parts that require a durable, glossy finish without deformation.
🔧 Composition
- Polycarbonate (PC): 50–70 %
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): 30–50 %
- UV / Thermal Additives: 1–3 %
- Density: 1.12–1.15 g/cm³
- Softening Point: ≈ 230–250 °C
- Chemical Resistance: Good (oils, light fuels, detergents).
- UV Resistance: Medium (can be improved with ASA or PMMA layers).
🚗 Where PC+ABS is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Car Interior | Panels, vent frames, caps, consoles | Glossy finish, rigid, dimensionally stable |
| Light Exterior | Mirror caps, sensor housings | Good mechanical resistance, UV protection recommended |
| Technical / Electr. | Module housings, brackets, outlets | Good insulation and temperature stability |
| Decorative | Frames, glossy panels, inserts | Premium look, clean finish |
🔧 Welding Temperature and Methods
| Method | Optimal Temperature | Observations |
| Hot Air | 250 – 270 °C | Most common method, good melting control |
| Heat Plate (Mirror) | 240 – 260 °C | Clean joint for flat edges |
| Manual Extrusion | 240 – 260 °C | Suitable for long cracks or thick parts |
🔩 What to Weld PC+ABS With (Material Compatibility)
Being a blend of two technical families (styrenic + polycarbonate), PC+ABS has excellent compatibility with both types.
✅ Compatible with:
- PC+ABS ↔ PC / ABS / ASA / ABS+PC / SAN+ABS – ideal.
- PC+ABS ↔ PC+PBT / PC+GF / ASA+PC – partially compatible.
❌ Incompatible with:
- PP, PE, PA, PVC, PS, TPO – completely different melting and shrinkage.
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use PC+ABS rods or standard ABS rods at 255–270 °C. Heating must be uniform without overheating the gloss. For visible parts, restoring the gloss with a brief hot air pass or acrylic polish is recommended.
🏭 Manufacturers and Trade Names
- SABIC: Cycoloy®
- Covestro: Makroblend®
- LG Chem: LUPOY®
- Chi Mei: Wonderloy®
- Trinseo: Pulse™
🧠 How to Identify PC+ABS
- Engraved marking: >PC+ABS<, >ABS/PC<, >Cycoloy<, >Makroblend<.
- Glossy, dense, rigid surface.
- Yellow-blue flame, styrenic scent.
- Softens at ≈ 250 °C without bubbling.
- More rigid than ABS but easier to process than PC.
🛠️ PC+ABS Welding at ReplastMD:
At our ReplastMD service center (Chisinau, Ciocana sector), we perform professional PC+ABS welding for interior frames, decorative panels, and technical housings, providing an invisible joint and full structural rigidity.