Typical applications for polymer blends

Producing polymer blends is another major area of use for polycarbonate materials. The most important commercial families include 

Each of these families has been created to fill performance or cost targets around polycarbonate that are more effectively met via a polymer blend approach. 

Polycarbonate/ABS blends are used as a lower-cost, slightly lower-performing option in very price-sensitive segments where thermal requirements are somewhat lower than those of standard polycarbonate. Two basic formulations of PC/ABS blends are generally used flame-retardant (FR) and non-flame-retardant grades. 

Flame-retardant PC/ABS blends are widely used for housings for computer and business machines, portable computer housings, handheld scanners, and battery packs. FR versions usually use nonhalogenated, low-molecular-weight systems that provide dramatically increased flow to fill out complex geometries in thin walls. As would be expected, the heat distortion temperature values of these blends tend to be significantly lower than those of neat polycarbonate. 

Non-FR grades of PC/ABS blends are primarily used in automotive components (e.g., interior-trim panels, knee bolsters, and nonstructural interior filler panels) where cost is an issue and thermal requirements do not necessitate use of a more expensive polymer such as PC, but ductility is important. 

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Addition of high-flow resins (see section Typical Applications for Polymer Blends )... 

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