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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: tbc on Fri, 28 March 2014, 01:29:43

Title: transparent polycarb and abs the same thing?
Post by: tbc on Fri, 28 March 2014, 01:29:43

I really don't understand the difference if any between polycarb and abs.  Are they the same thing?

I have the translucent portal caps from originativeco and I'm wondering if they'll shine like ABS does after awhile or are they closer to PBT levels of endurance.

Title: Re: transparent polycarb and abs the same thing?
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Fri, 28 March 2014, 05:12:27

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybutylene_terephthalate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarbonate

Didn't know they used other materials for this purpose. If this is a new development we'll just have to see how they hold up. Just looking at the chemical structures, I'd say it has more in common with PBT than ABS, but that may not mean anything about its durability.

Title: Re: transparent polycarb and abs the same thing?
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 28 March 2014, 12:32:11

PC is more impact-resistant than ABS, and it does not yellow like styrene (PS) or crack as easily as acrylic (PMMA), but I don't know if it is actually harder.
It is sometimes alloyed with ABS to make it tougher.