Consumer Electronics
Electronic Housings & Handheld Devices
Paintable, impact-resistant housings for handheld products and peripherals.
Fused Deposition Modeling PC-ABS (Stratasys PC-ABS) For Tough, Heat-Resistant Housings and Tooling
Large Build Volume
Up to 914 × 610 × 914 mm
FDM material
PC-ABS overview
PC-ABS is a blend of polycarbonate and ABS, 3D printed by FDM, for tough parts that need a clean, paintable finish. It is far tougher than standard ABS, handles more heat and stays tough in the cold. Its surface is smoother than straight polycarbonate, so parts need less finishing before painting or plating. Teams use it for electronics housings, car interior trim, equipment enclosures and jigs and fixtures, and as an affordable choice for low-volume production parts. Stratasys PC-ABS is the grade for impact-resistant housings, interior trim and tooling that need to handle heat, and it stands up to short-term contact with alcohols, engine coolant and petroleum greases.
Also available in Triton PC/ABS.
How PC-ABS is manufactured
PC-ABS is manufactured using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), building parts layer by layer from engineering-grade filament on industrial Stratasys Fortus systems. Soluble support material dissolves away after printing, so complex geometries and internal features come out clean. This makes PC-ABS a scalable option for functional prototypes, jigs and fixtures, and bridge-to-production and low-volume end-use parts, with no tooling.
- Build volume
- 914 × 610 × 914 mm
- Lead time
- 2-4 business days
- Layer height
- 0.127-0.330 mm
Forge Labs Steam
Know before you manufacture in PC-ABS.
Upload CAD files to Forge Labs Steam for instant PC-ABS pricing and live manufacturability feedback, and fix issues before production.
Upload CAD files to Forge Labs Steam for instant PC-ABS pricing and live manufacturability feedback, and fix issues before production.
Industry applications
Industry applications for PC-ABS
PC-ABS blends the impact resistance and heat deflection of polycarbonate with the surface quality and processability of ABS, creating an ideal material for functional prototypes and production parts. This engineered blend delivers the best of both materials without the processing challenges of pure PC. Teams use it for products that balance performance, aesthetics and cost, from consumer electronics to automotive interiors.
The material's excellent surface finish and dimensional stability make it perfect for parts requiring both aesthetics and functionality. Its heat deflection sits between ABS-M30 and polycarbonate and its notched impact strength is about 2.4 times that of ABS-M30, so PC-ABS bridges the gap between standard ABS and engineering-grade polycarbonate.
From rapid prototyping to production runs, teams rely on PC-ABS to maintain tight tolerances while reducing assembly complexity through consolidated part designs. Forge Labs' optimized print parameters ensure consistent material properties across builds, critical for multi-part assemblies.
Medical equipment makers use it for portable diagnostic device housings, cart components, control panels and protective covers, where a smooth surface that wipes down and stands up to short-term contact with alcohol keeps equipment clean.
Automotive
Vehicle Interior Components
Console trim, vents, controls and bezels that hold up to cabin heat.
Industrial Equipment
Control Housings & Equipment Enclosures
Impact-resistant control housings and enclosures, reordered from the same files.
Robotics
Assembly Jigs & Test Fixtures
Assembly jigs, test fixtures and bridge tooling made without a mould.
Consumer Electronics
Electronic Housings & Handheld Devices
Product teams use PC-ABS for smartphone and tablet prototypes, computer peripheral and audio enclosures, and wearable device components. Its smooth surface accepts painting and texturing while the blend protects the electronics inside from knocks. On one handheld power tool with built-in electronics, FDM enclosure prototypes in ABS and ASA were printed with the shell, ribs and mounting features together and turned around in two days, and the team reported development moving ten times faster.
- Handheld device housings
- Peripheral and audio enclosures
- Wearable device components
Automotive
Vehicle Interior Components
Automotive teams use PC-ABS for centre console trim, HVAC vents and controls, door panel inserts and handles, and instrument cluster bezels, where parts need heat resistance and a surface fit for interior finishes. Printed on edge or upright, it has a heat deflection temperature of 112 °C at 1.82 MPa, so trim and vent prototypes keep their shape in a warm cabin.
- Console trim and bezels
- HVAC vents and controls
- Door panel inserts and handles
Industrial Equipment
Control Housings & Equipment Enclosures
Equipment builders use PC-ABS for control panel housings and bezels, machine interface components, protective equipment covers and handheld tool housings that need impact protection and a professional finish, and clean tech teams use it for tough enclosures and covers on power and energy equipment. Released drawings can specify the material, layer height, fill and build direction, and repeat lots print from the same files, so covers arrive for each assembly batch without a mould. PC-ABS stands up to short-term contact with petroleum greases and engine coolant.
- Control panel housings and bezels
- Machine interface components
- Equipment enclosures and covers
Robotics
Assembly Jigs & Test Fixtures
Robotics and automation teams use printed tooling to build and test their machines: Forge Labs makes gear-clocking fixtures, FDM assembly jigs and torque-gauge fixtures for actuator testing. Colour options, surface finish and mechanical properties make PC-ABS a strong tooling material and an affordable alternative to higher-cost thermoplastics for bridge-to-production and low-volume parts. Printed upright, it reaches a compressive yield strength of 172 MPa.
- Assembly jigs
- Gear-clocking and torque-gauge fixtures
- Bridge tooling
Performance data
Technical performance for PC-ABS
Values from the Stratasys PC-ABS datasheets, tested to the standard listed with each property. Mechanical test parts were printed on a Stratasys F900.
Mechanical performance
Mechanical properties
PC-ABS delivers dependable strength and impact resistance for automotive interiors, electronic housings and consumer products, helping teams move from prototype to production with confidence.
XZ samples are printed on edge and ZX samples stand upright, so the ZX values describe strength across the layers. Orient features under tension, bending or impact so stress runs along the layers, where the blend is strongest and toughest; in compression, upright samples test higher.
PropertyValue
- Tensile Strength at Yield (XZ)ASTM D638
- 36.5 MPa
- Tensile Strength at Break (XZ)ASTM D638
- 34.7 MPa
- Tensile Strength at Break (ZX)ASTM D638
- 25.9 MPa
- Tensile Modulus (XZ)ASTM D638
- 1.99 GPa
- Tensile Modulus (ZX)ASTM D638
- 1.87 GPa
- Elongation at Yield (XZ)ASTM D638
- 3.0 %
- Elongation at Break (XZ)ASTM D638
- 4.7 %
- Elongation at Break (ZX)ASTM D638
- 1.8 %
- Flexural Strength at 5% Strain (XZ, no break)ASTM D790, Procedure A
- 61.9 MPa
- Flexural Strength at Break (ZX)ASTM D790, Procedure A
- 46.2 MPa
- Flexural Strain at Break (ZX)ASTM D790, Procedure A
- 3.51 %
- Flexural Modulus (XZ)ASTM D790, Procedure A
- 1.86 GPa
- Flexural Modulus (ZX)ASTM D790, Procedure A
- 1.68 GPa
- Compressive Yield Strength (XZ)ASTM D695
- 96.5 MPa
- Compressive Yield Strength (ZX)ASTM D695
- 172 MPa
- Compressive Modulus (XZ)ASTM D695
- 2.14 GPa
- Compressive Modulus (ZX)ASTM D695
- 1.85 GPa
- Izod Impact, Notched (XZ)ASTM D256
- 241 J/m
- Izod Impact, Notched (ZX)ASTM D256
- 34.0 J/m
- Izod Impact, Unnotched (XZ)ASTM D4812
- 655 J/m
- Izod Impact, Unnotched (ZX)ASTM D4812
- 101 J/m
Material makeup
Physical properties
Consistent density and surface quality keep critical features in tolerance and downstream finishing predictable. Low specific gravity makes parts lightweight yet durable.
Hardness is a resin literature value. The UV row shows the change in upright stress at break after accelerated weathering (8 hours of UV at 60 °C and 4 hours of condensation per cycle); Stratasys does not report colour change, so ASA remains the choice for parts that must keep their colour in sunlight.
PropertyValue
- Specific GravityASTM D792
- 1.10
- Rockwell Hardness (resin)ASTM D785
- R110
- Stress at Break Change after 1,000 h UV (ZX, F370 coupons)ASTM G154 / ASTM D638
- −3.8 %
Heat performance
Thermal properties
Printed heat deflection is reported flat (XY) and on edge or upright (XZ / ZX), next to Stratasys's moulded reference values, so printed parts can be compared with moulded PC-ABS.
PC-ABS is amorphous, so it has no melting point; the glass transition temperature marks where it begins to soften. On-edge and upright (XZ / ZX) expansion is one mean value across the full test range. Flat (XY) samples expand up to 35 °C, barely change between 35 and 50 °C and contract above 50 °C in Stratasys testing, so flat expansion is listed for each range.
PropertyValue
- HDT @ 0.45 MPa / 66 psi (XY)ASTM D648, Method B
- 117.9 °C
- HDT @ 0.45 MPa / 66 psi (XZ / ZX)ASTM D648, Method B
- 126.1 °C
- HDT @ 1.82 MPa / 264 psi (XY)ASTM D648, Method B
- 107.5 °C
- HDT @ 1.82 MPa / 264 psi (XZ / ZX)ASTM D648, Method B
- 112.0 °C
- HDT @ 0.45 MPa / 66 psi (moulded)ASTM D648, Method B
- 125.0 °C
- HDT @ 1.82 MPa / 264 psi (moulded)ASTM D648, Method B
- 102.9 °C
- Glass Transition TemperatureASTM D7426 (inflection point)
- 105.3 °C
- Vicat Softening Temperature (B/50, resin)ASTM D1525
- 112 °C
- Mean CTE (XY, −50 to 35 °C)ASTM E831
- 59.87 ×10⁻⁶/K
- Mean CTE (XY, 35 to 50 °C)ASTM E831
- 0.4816 ×10⁻⁶/K
- Mean CTE (XY, 50 to 90 °C)ASTM E831
- −61.76 ×10⁻⁶/K
- Mean CTE (XZ / ZX, −50 to 95 °C)ASTM E831
- 72.96 ×10⁻⁶/K
Functional performance
Electrical properties
High resistivity and dielectric strength suit electrical housings, connectors, insulating features and functional prototypes, and give enclosures in integrated electrical systems dependable insulation.
The dissipation factor helps evaluate dielectric losses in signal-sensitive or high-frequency use cases. Stratasys reports dielectric values at 1 kHz and 2 MHz for XY and XZ / ZX samples, and dielectric strength comes from printed plaques built flat and vertical.
PropertyValue
- Volume ResistivityASTM D257
- > 6.84×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
- Dielectric Constant, 1 kHz (XY / XZ-ZX)ASTM D150
- 2.62 / 2.74
- Dielectric Constant, 2 MHz (XY / XZ-ZX)ASTM D150
- 2.74 / 2.88
- Dissipation Factor, 1 kHz (XY / XZ-ZX)ASTM D150
- 0.001 / 0.002
- Dissipation Factor, 2 MHz (XY / XZ-ZX)ASTM D150
- 0.002 / 0.001
- Dielectric Strength (flat and vertical)ASTM D149, Method A
- 90–340 V/mil
Compatibility data
Chemical properties
Stratasys rates PC-ABS by chemical class at room temperature. It is excellent against weak acids and deionized water and good for short-term contact with alcohols, windshield washer fluid, engine coolant, petroleum greases and bases. Fuels, motor oil, transmission and brake fluid and strong acids are rated moderate, while ketones, esters, phenols, halogenated solvents and silicone oils attack it.
Chemical ratings are screening guidance; confirm them with application-specific testing before production release.
ChemicalRating
- Weak acids (pH 3–6)
- Excellent
- Deionized water
- Excellent
- Alcohol / ethanol
- Good
- Windshield washer fluid
- Good
- Antifreeze / engine coolant
- Good
- Petroleum greases
- Good
- Weak bases (pH 8–10)
- Good
- Strong bases (pH > 10)
- Good
- Aliphatic hydrocarbons (propane, butane)
- Limited
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene)
- Limited
- Petroleum fuels
- Limited
- Motor oil
- Limited
- Transmission fluid
- Limited
- Brake fluid
- Limited
- Strong acids (pH < 3)
- Limited
- Ketones (MEK, acetone)
- Poor
- Esters
- Poor
- Phenols
- Poor
- Halogenated hydrocarbons (CFCs, methylene chloride)
- Poor
- Silicone greases / oils
- Poor
Compliance
Compliance profile
Stratasys PC-ABS is rated UL 94 HB and is not flame retardant. For flame-rated FDM parts, ULTEM 9085 carries FAA flame, smoke and toxicity data.
Stratasys publishes no biocompatibility data for PC-ABS, so it is used for medical equipment housings without patient contact.
StandardStatus
- UL 94 flammabilityNot flame retardant; Stratasys UL file E345258
- HB
Resources
Datasheets and design resources
Datasheets, design guidance and supplier documentation for PC-ABS.
Download center
Access the most recent datasheet and supporting documentation maintained by our engineering team.
PC-ABS datasheetDesign guidelines
Explore printable geometry recommendations, wall thickness tips, and finishing playbooks for FDM.
View FDM design guide
Advanced Manufacturing
Built with Precision FDM Technology
PC-ABS is manufactured using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, offering reliable performance for functional prototypes and end-use parts. It runs on industrial FDM platforms with heated chambers and qualified material profiles for consistent layer adhesion and mechanical integrity.
- Tolerance
- ±0.25 mm or ±0.3%, whichever is greater
- Production capacity
- Multiple parts or assemblies in each large-format build
- Quality control
- In-process monitoring and batch traceability for consistent part quality and material properties
- Colours & finishes
- Black or white; support removal, sanding, drilling, tapping, painting, vapor smoothing and chemical smoothing
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about PC-ABS
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our customer support team.
- PC-ABS combines high impact strength (241 J/m notched Izod, printed on edge) and heat resistance (heat deflection up to 126 °C at 0.45 MPa) with a smooth surface that takes paint and plating, which suits automotive interiors and electronic housings.
- PC-ABS is printed by FDM on industrial Stratasys Fortus systems with soluble support. It is used for functional prototypes where pure polycarbonate is not necessary, for jigs and fixtures, and for bridge-to-production and low-volume end-use parts.
- PC-ABS is used for automotive interior components and trim, electronic device housings, consumer product prototypes, sporting goods, manufacturing jigs and fixtures, and medical equipment housings without patient contact.
- PC-ABS is tougher than ABS and easier to print than pure polycarbonate, works with soluble support for complex geometries, and is easily sanded, drilled, tapped and painted. Stratasys rates it good for short-term contact with alcohols, engine coolant and petroleum greases.
- Ketones, esters, phenols and halogenated solvents attack PC-ABS, and fuels, oils and strong acids are rated moderate. Its heat deflection temperature is about 18-33 °C lower than pure polycarbonate in Stratasys testing, and it costs more than standard ABS. Like all FDM parts it is weaker across the layers, so load-bearing features should be oriented along them.
- No. Stratasys PC-ABS is rated UL 94 HB and is not flame retardant. For flame-rated FDM parts, ULTEM 9085 carries FAA flame, smoke and toxicity data.
- Forge Labs prints PC-ABS in black and white, and both colours can be sanded, primed and painted to match a product finish.
Start a quote
Ready to Get Started with PC-ABS?
Upload your design and get an instant quote for PC-ABS parts.
- Instant pricing with automated manufacturability analysis
- Production workflows built for repeatable quality
- Engineering support from prototype to production
Create an account to upload CAD
STEP, STL, OBJ, 3MF and IGES supported
- Manufacturing technologies
- 6
- Engineering materials
- 50+
- Part quantities
- 1-500+