Tough and rigid machinable thermoplastic for chemical processing, corrosive applications, and more.
ABS features a balance of mechanical properties, chemical resistance, electrical properties, and machinability that make it an exceptionally versatile material.
Highlights
Tough and rigid
Good heat resistance
Thermoformable and easily machinable
Works in a wide range of temperatures
High corrosion, chemical, abrasion resistances
Applications
Pipes and fittings
Kitchen appliances
Luggage carriers
Automotive interiors
Sports equipment
Communications equipment
Industries
Consumer Goods
Automotive
Communications
Electronics
Industrial
ABS Plastic Overview
What is ABS Plastic?
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a strong, stiff, and cost-effective plastic with excellent impact resistance and machinability. General-purpose ABS is easy to thermoform, machine, and has excellent bonding capabilities that make it a popular choice for machine housings, guards and covers, instrument panels, models and prototypes, point-of-purchase displays, storage cases, display bases, and thermoformed displays, trays, and bins. It is also resistant to corrosion, abrasion, chemicals, and can withstand extreme temperatures and harsh environments.
Fire-rated ABS is designed to withstand high temperatures without melting or burning. It's used in components for low- and high-temperature applications, such as electronics and fire doors. Orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) grade ABS is used to create components for prosthetic devices and braces, such as knee and elbow joints. ABS plastic is also used to create orthopedic devices, such as spinal cages and supports, and to fabricate containers and trays used in medical and surgical settings.
ABS is a versatile plastic utilized in a wide variety of industries. ABS is used in home security devices, boat hulls, toys, automobile grills, communications equipment, and other applications that require strong tensile strength, good temperature properties, and excellent impact and abrasion resistance.
Is ABS high quality plastic?
ABS is a versatile opaque thermoplastic used in a variety of engineering and structural applications for its machinability, excellent impact resistance, and thermoforming properties. ABS is widely used across many industries such as the automotive and construction industries to make machine housings and guards, prototypes, displays, instrument panels, and more.
What does ABS mean in plastics?
ABS is an acronym for the amorphous opaque thermoplastic Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene. ABS is a versatile material with features great thermoforming properties, machinability, and impact resistance.
Does ABS plastic break easily?
As a hard thermoplastic, ABS has great impact strength and will not break easily. However, it can be weakened with prolonged exposure to sunlight UV and extremely high temperatures.
General Properties1 of ABS
Property
Unit
Value
Specific Gravity
g/cc
1.04
Water Absorption @ 24 hrs.
% @ Saturation
0.2-0.4
Hardness
Rockwell
R105
Izod Impact (Notched) @ -40°F
ft-lbs/in.
2.7
Izod Impact (Notched) @ 73°F
ft-lbs/in.
7 .7
Flexural Strength @ Yield
psi
10500
Flexural Modulus
ksi
340
Compressive Strength
psi
3600
Compressive Modulus
ksi
84
Elongation @ Break
%
125
Deflection Temperature @ 254 psi
°F
203-220
1The values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Field testing is always recommended to determine exact values for each application.
WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Acrylonitrile, CAS 107-13-1, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Styrene, CAS 100-42-5, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.