We frequently struggle with the decision of whether to choose polycarbonate or ABS for our bags. The majority of frequent consumers are unaware of the differences between these two materials.
Sincere to say, both materials are strong and able to sustain significant impacts in everyday circumstances. However, you’ll need specialized luggage made especially for adventurous travelers if you’re planning something extreme, like trekking or visiting remote locations.
Let’s start a discussion about both materials’ properties, their impact resistance, and the advantages, similarities, and differences between luggage made from these two materials.
Related: Polypropylene VS Polycarbonate Luggage: Which Is A Good Choice?
What Is Polycarbonate? – Is polycarbonate good for luggage?
Polycarbonate is a versatile and durable thermoplastic polymer known for its exceptional properties.
Let’s discuss its properties;
Robust – Durable Luggage
Polycarbonate is highly robust, making it resistant to impact and tough enough to withstand rough handling. This property makes it an excellent choice for various applications where durability is crucial, including luggage, automotive components, and safety equipment.
Lightweight – Sturdy and Lightweight Luggage
Despite its robustness, polycarbonate is relatively lightweight compared to some other materials like metals, which adds to its appeal in various industries, particularly for manufacturing lightweight yet sturdy products.
Transparent – Add Verstality to Luggage
Polycarbonate has excellent optical clarity, making it ideal for applications where transparency is essential. It is used in making luggage of different colors and patterns. Due to its transparent property, it can be easily crafted into colorful luggage. It is often used in the production of eyewear lenses, optical discs, and even in architectural applications such as transparent roofing and safety barriers.
High Quality – No color changes over the period of time
Polycarbonate is known for its high-quality characteristics, such as resistance to yellowing and degradation over time. It maintains its appearance and integrity even when exposed to UV radiation and weather conditions.
Temperature Resistant – Luggage can withstand temperature variations
Polycarbonate can withstand a wide range of temperatures, from sub-zero cold to high heat. This temperature resistance makes it suitable for various environments, including both indoor and outdoor applications.
Ease of Molding – Give Flexibility to Suitcases
One of the significant advantages of polycarbonate is its ability to be easily molded into complex shapes. This property allows manufacturers to create a wide variety of products with intricate designs and customized forms.
Impact Resistance – Non-breakable Luggage Material
Polycarbonate is renowned for its exceptional impact resistance. It can withstand impacts that would cause other plastics to shatter. This property is due to its amorphous molecular structure, which allows it to absorb energy from impacts and distribute it throughout the material without breaking. Polycarbonate is commonly used in applications where safety and protection are paramount, such as safety goggles, helmets, and bulletproof glass.
What are the disadvantages of polycarbonate?
We are not going to leave you unaware of the disadvantages of polycarbonate. No doubt it has marvelous qualities, but at the same time, there are a few disadvantages that need consideration.
Polycarbonate More Prone To scratches
Polycarbonate is not completely scratch-resistant. It can get scratched fairly easily, despite being durable. How much it scratches depends on factors like the quality of the polycarbonate, any protective coatings, and how rough you are with it.
How To Prevent Scratches?
To minimize scratching on polycarbonate luggage, handle it with care and avoid contact with abrasive surfaces or sharp objects. Some polycarbonate products have scratch-resistant coatings for added protection.
What Is ABS? – Is ABS Luggage More Durable?
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS, is a typical thermoplastic polymer made out of three types of plastic, utilized in many applications because of its adaptability and advantageous characteristics. It is renowned for the following qualities
Let’s check its Properties; If we compare it with the Polycarbonate material it has few properties.
Affordable
ABS is known for being cost-effective, making it a popular choice for a wide range of applications where budget considerations are important.
Rigid and Tough
ABS is a rigid and tough material, capable of withstanding rough handling and providing durability in various environments.
Impact Resistance
It has good impact resistance, making it suitable for products that may encounter physical stress or occasional rough use.
Scratch Resistance
While not completely scratch-proof, ABS has some degree of scratch resistance, helping to maintain the appearance of products made from this material.
Is ABS Luggage More Durable?
ABS luggage is generally less durable than polycarbonate luggage. Polycarbonate is known for its superior impact resistance and overall durability compared to ABS. While ABS is still a durable material, it is more prone to dents and cracks than polycarbonate.
Which is better ABS or polycarbonate luggage?
Comparison Table Decide the Winner
| Properties | Polycarbonate Luggage | ABS Luggage |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Polycarbonate Luggage is more durable than ABS | Durable but less than polycarbonate |
| Versatility | Its transparency allows it to be transformed into various colors and designs. | Less designs and colors |
| Weight | Lightweight | Weight is double as polycarbonate |
| Flexible | Very flexible. If it gets dented will be back in position | Rigid – if dent it will crack |
| Impact Resistance | High impact resistance | Less impact resistance |
| Fewer designs and colors | Polycarbonate luggage withstand various temperature high to low | Limited UV resistance – prone to discoloration |
| Temperature Resistance | Highly flexible; it returns to its original shape even if dented. | ABS has moderate heat resistance |
| Scratch resistance | More prone to scratches | No discoloration over the period of time – high resistance to UV r |
| Price | Higher price | Cheap – affordable |
| Usage | – Value quality and durability. – Prefer premium luggage brands. – Seek versatility in their luggage. – Prioritize lightweight suitcases. – Aim for a one-time investment in a high-quality product. | – For Kids – For Rough usage – As a spare luggage – Who wants a suitcase on a budget |
| Recyclable | Recyclable | Recyclable |
Polycarbonate vs. ABS Luggage
In terms of durability, polycarbonate luggage is the better choice. It can handle rough treatment during travel better than ABS, which means it lasts longer and saves you money in the long run. Plus, it’s more resistant to damage and doesn’t turn yellow in the sun.
Polycarbonate luggage is also lighter, making your travels more comfortable. However, if you’re on a tight budget, ABS is cheaper, but it might not last as long as polycarbonate luggage. So, it’s a trade-off between durability and cost.
After reading this article you must clear polycarbonate is more durable than ABS but this is not the only factor to consider. However, it’s essential to consider factors like brand, quality, and specific product design when evaluating the durability of any luggage, as these can vary between different models and manufacturers.
