Understating the key differences of Polypropylene Vs Polycarbonate Vs Abs Luggage, is critical since each of these materials have its uniqueness.
And since there are plenty of choices and differences in the market, and whether you’re a seasoned traveler, a business traveler, or frequent flier, you want to get the best material for your luggage.
So If you’re doing any type of travel, and you want to get a rigorous suitcase and to get the most out of it, this definitive guide to luggage materials will help you do just that.
Let’s dive in.
Polypropylene vs Polycarbonate vs ABS Luggage
Having knowledge of the different types of luggage material is critical but before we dive deep into the details let’s break down first some advantages and disadvantages of having these types of hard sided suitcases.
It will get a bit technical, but don’t worry we will include links for some examples and options of the suitcases with the mentioned material.
According to Statista the total sales of luggage Worldwide is valued about $15.1 billion in 2022 and $18.7 billion in 2021 that is a 24% increase in one year, this indicates that the production of the material is skyrocketing, and the amount of waste, therefore luggage companies need to produce durable and planet friendly products.
Statista
Polypropylene Luggage
Polypropylene is a plastic material used in a wide range of products, and it is produced using a technique called chain growth polymerization.
Polypropylene is more known as heat resistant, durable and lighter compared with polycarbonate.
Bric’s are one of the luggage brands that have Polypropylene suitcases and this Bric’s B|Y Ulisse Spinner Suitecase is made from it.
Pros
- Heat resistant
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Great for carry-on
Cons
- Not flexible like polycarbonate luggage
- Added weight
Polycarbonate Luggage
Polycarbonate is the most common material in the market, and the reason why so many luggage companies use it is because it is strong, flexible and not that expensive.
The original material is transparent, also popular as it is lightweight, easy to mold and form, scratch-resistant and the suitcases can bend easily preventing it from getting damaged or broken.
So even if a suitcase is placed under intense pressure it will get back to its original form easily.
Even though this can be considered as a con ( sometimes ) if you are traveling with fragile items and you send the suitcase in checked baggage.
A large number of luggage companies work with Polycarbonate material, including Samsonite, and some of their popular suitcases are the Samsonite Winfield, and Samsonite Omni and Delsey Helium.
Pros
- Rigid and rigorous suitcases even if the suitcase is softer
- Good quality
Cons
- Overpriced
- Added weight compared with polypropylene and ABS Luggage
- May not protect fragile items
ABS Luggage
ABS is a class of thermoplastics, an acronym for three combined materials.
- Acrylonitrile : Gives the strength and the hardness for the product
- Butadiene : Great for impact resistance
- Styrene : Protect the suitcase from heat, and provides some hardness.
ABS suitcases are affordable than Polycarbonate and Polypropylene, a bit heavier and will not stand under rough handling because they are stiff and not bendable.
Pros
- Good price
- Lightweight
- Resistant to corrosive chemicals
Cons
- Not durable
- Easy to crack compared to other luggage materials
Final Thoughts
Now as you know the main differences between Polycarbonate, Polypropylene, and ABS luggage its fairly clear that Polycarbonate is the most durable luggage material and its suitcases are more rigid and durable compared to other materials and are the best you can choose.
However, they are the most expensive ones, but investing in a good travel suitcase will eventually save you money.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference between Polypropylene and Polycarbonate is the weight of the material.
Polycarbonate materials are heavier than Polypropylene, but actually an advantage for Polycarbonate, as the added heaviness makes the suitcase more durable and rigid.
On the other hand the Polypropylene is more lightweight and affordable.
Theoretically ABS is more durable than Polypropylene as it consists of a variety of materials, but in fact that doesn’t make it withstand wear, pressure or the damage.
The ABS has more chance to be damaged and even cracked unlike Polycarbonate and Polypropylene.
A well built Polycarbonate suitcase will never be less than 100 bucks, but you can get an ABS luggage set for the price of one Polycarbonate suitcase.
As we have pointed above ABS suitcases are easy to crack unlike Polycarbonate suitcases that have higher flexibility and impact resistance.
But ABS products are affordable.
We hope this helps
Happy travels
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