Thermal and Hydrolytic Stability of Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Based Blends

Field cracking in some instrument panels (IP) manufactured with a competitive grade of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) material was observed in high temperature/high humidity geographies. OEMs and tier molders are: 1) questioning the thermal and hydrolytic stability of the various suppliers' PC/ABS resins, and 2) converting to grades with advantaged stability.

A study was undertaken to compare the thermal and hydrolytic stability of two suppliers' high flow PC/ABS resins. Materials were aged at 90C/95% relative humidity up to 1000 hours. Samples were tested to compare the retention of properties.

This paper will discuss the experimental procedures, resulting data, and the common factor in the PC/ABS resins showing the best stability.