Digital ABS vs PC-ABS
Polymer · grade comparison
Digital ABS and PC-ABS are both polymer grades, both engineering plastic. PC-ABS is the more ductile: elongation 90% versus 30% for Digital ABS, and Digital ABS is harder (86 Shore D vs 79 Shore D). Digital ABS is stiffer (2.8 GPa vs 2.4 GPa) and PC-ABS runs hotter in service (100°C vs 50°C continuous). On the shop floor, PC-ABS machines more easily (65 vs 55 out of 100), PC-ABS welds better (very good vs poor), and PC-ABS sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Digital ABS (specialty, $$$$$).
PC-ABSChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Digital ABS vs PC-ABS: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Hardness, Rockwell M 68 HRM
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Polishability
Formability (cold)
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 49 kN·m/kg
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Digital ABS | PC-ABS |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Standard | Unfilled |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Soft Touch Coating, UV Coating.
Digital ABS vs PC-ABS — frequently asked
What is the difference between Digital ABS and PC-ABS?
Digital ABS and PC-ABS are both polymer grades, both engineering plastic. PC-ABS is the more ductile: elongation 90% versus 30% for Digital ABS, and Digital ABS is harder (86 Shore D vs 79 Shore D). Digital ABS is stiffer (2.8 GPa vs 2.4 GPa) and PC-ABS runs hotter in service (100°C vs 50°C continuous).
Which is cheaper, Digital ABS or PC-ABS?
PC-ABS is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Digital ABS is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Digital ABS or PC-ABS?
PC-ABS, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 55/100 for Digital ABS; for welding the order is PC-ABS first (very good, 72/100) then Digital ABS (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Digital ABS and PC-ABS side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.