1 Topic by techbuilder2175

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Topic: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

Hi everyone,

as some of you are aware PP3DP and Afinia sell "premium abs" which is a mixture of abs and polycarbonate.
I purchased 3lbs of polycarbonate and I wanted to try making the blend my adding some polycarbonate in the mix.

Anyone have any idea what temps I should feed or what ratio I should try?

I'm aware this has never been done but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ps: I'm aware polycarbonate is releases harmful gases when extruded a particular temp.

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2 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

I've blended Nylon and ABS, but no experience with polycarb.

There are a lot of different flavors of polycarbonate, a data sheet would help.

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3 Reply by techbuilder2175

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

This is the ebay auction I purchased them from

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330875437586?ss … 1439.l2649

I'll contact the seller to see if they have a data sheet available

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4 Reply by techbuilder2175

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

Looks like this may be close to what I'm looking for
http://www.professionalplastics.com/pro … aSheet.pdf

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5 Reply by techbuilder2175

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

Seller replied that they don't have the data sheet other than it's from the Mitsubishi Engineering Plastic Corporation

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6 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

This calls for nozzle temps of around 280C:

http://plastics.ides.com/generics/25/c/ … processing

Filastruders use nozzle temps about 20% lower, as there's less need for temperature with the polymer moving slower. I'd probably start at 220C and work my way up to 245C. I wouldn't exceed 250C.

You'll probably need a fully insulated barrel, and possibly no fan to hit those temps on 12v. The heater is rated for 18v.

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7 Reply by techbuilder2175

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

elmoret wrote:

This calls for nozzle temps of around 280C:

http://plastics.ides.com/generics/25/c/ … processing

Filastruders use nozzle temps about 20% lower, as there's less need for temperature with the polymer moving slower. I'd probably start at 220C and work my way up to 245C. I wouldn't exceed 250C.

You'll probably need a fully insulated barrel, and possibly no fan to hit those temps on 12v. The heater is rated for 18v.

I could replace the power supply to 15v to increase temp without turning off the fan right?

Why should I not exceed 250C is it because of the effect it would have on the ABS?

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8 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

You'd need to replace only the heater portion with 15v, the motor should have 12v.

Exceeding 250C enters the region of thermal decomposition for both PC and ABS.

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9 Reply by techbuilder2175

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

Ok good to know

Now is the question of ratio

what ratio do you think I should use?

What was the ratio you used for nylon with abs?

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10 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

techbuilder2175 wrote:

Ok good to know

Now is the question of ratio

what ratio do you think I should use?

What was the ratio you used for nylon with abs?

80% ABS, 20% nylon. I'd say that's a good starting point for your blend, if you do some research/emailing you might be able to dig up the percentages of other filaments.

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

Sweet thank you sir

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12 Reply by techbuilder2175

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

Found a great article that pretty much gives me a good chunk of what I need. Looks like
the optimal mix is 60 Pc /40 ABS

http://eprints.utm.my/3088/1/L04_spk05_ … Hassan.pdf

I' give it a go and post my findings

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13 Reply by DePartedPrinter

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

elmoret wrote:
techbuilder2175 wrote:

Ok good to know

Now is the question of ratio

what ratio do you think I should use?

What was the ratio you used for nylon with abs?

80% ABS, 20% nylon. I'd say that's a good starting point for your blend, if you do some research/emailing you might be able to dig up the percentages of other filaments.

How did this filament perform?

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

Seemed pretty much just like ABS. I never strength tested it or anything. I made hoppers out of it for a while, then I ran out of nylon. Now hoppers are made from straight MG94.

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15 Reply by DePartedPrinter

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Re: Polycarbonate/ABS blend

elmoret wrote:

Seemed pretty much just like ABS. I never strength tested it or anything. I made hoppers out of it for a while, then I ran out of nylon. Now hoppers are made from straight MG94.

I thought about trying this a few months back with the thought of reducing the warping that you get with nylon but hopefully still maintaining some of the strength.  I still have some of that nylon powder floating around so I might still give it a shot.

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