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ABS Resin

What is ABS Resin?

ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer) is an amorphous engineering thermoplastic material that provides a good balance of toughness and rigidity. Each component of the terpolymer contributes specific features to the overall performance of this material. The styrene component provides gloss and rigidity while the butadiene component provides excellent impact properties. The acrylonitrile component contributes to melt strength and chemical resistance. ABS is resistant to attach to both mineral acids and bases. ABS is also resistant to both vegetable and mineral oils. ABS holds up well to most household cleaners.

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene is available in both injection molding and extrusion grades. Additionally, ABS is easy to process. Compounding technology allows a wide variety of colorants to be compounded into ABS. This allows production in a wide range of custom colors. Applications for ABS products can be extended by the addition of additives such as stabilizers, flame retardants, and reinforcing fillers.

ABS Variations

Most common variations of ABS material includes General Purpose ABS, High Impact ABS, Low Viscosity ABS, Plate-able ABS, ABS FR and many more. The modification of its properties is possible with the use of additives, modifiers and reinforcing agents.

ABS Resin Features

  • Excellent ductility
  • High Impact strength
  • Extremely tough and rigid
  • Dimensional stability
  • High tensile strength
  • Heat and chemical resistance
  • Electroplatable
  • High and low temperature performance
    Additives, Modifiers, and Reinforcing Agents:

  • Additives – UV stability, easy release (mold releases), colorants, and other stability additives
  • Modifiers – Flame retardants, impact modifiers, flow enhancers
  • Reinforcing Agents – Glass fibers, mineral fillers

PRL Alternative Material Solutions to

Example: If you’re looking for Ineos Styrolution alternatives or Sabic alternatives: find the product in the relevant row and look to the leftmost row to find our alternative.

PRL Grades

  • PRL ABS-GP1
  • PRL ABS GP IM
  • PRL ABS GP HH
  • PRL ABS FR
  • PRL ABS G10
  • PRL ABS G20
  • PRL ABS G30
  • PRL ABS FR UV (f2)

INEOS Styrolution

  • Lustran® 248, 448, 648
  • Absolac® 100
  • Elix® ABS H801
  • Absolac® 30 GF20
  • Absolac® 30 GF30
  • Lustran® 448

SABIC

  • MG38, MG47, MG94
  • Cycolac® MG 38
  • Cycolac® X15, X17, X37
  • FR15, FR23, FR30
  • Thermocomp® AF002
  • Thermocomp® AF004
  • Thermocomp® AF006
  • Cycolac® FR15U

Trinseo

  • Magnum® 3504; 3513
  • Magnum® 375HH
  • Celex® 720
  • Celex® 730

Datasheets with full ABS Material Properties

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PRODUCT Q&As

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of ABS resin?
A. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin is an amorphous, opaque engineering thermoplastic. It is noted for high rigidity and dimensional stability, excellent mechanical properties such as impact strength, good electrical insulating properties and resistance to chemicals. It can be modified with additives and fillers, and it can be blended with other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate (PC) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Aesthetically, ABS offers a high-quality surface finish that can be tailored to meet either high gloss or low gloss requirements. It is also a cost-effective option.

This material can be injection molded, blow molded or extruded, and features a broad processing window. It can also be used in electroplating processes.

The main disadvantage of ABS is poor resistance to weathering. Long-term exposure to light causes it to yellow. Although ABS is not inherently flame retardant, flame retardant grades can be produced by incorporating additives.

Q. How strong is ABS resin?
A. Virgin ABS materials offer tensile strength at break of 29.8 – 43 MPa (4,295 – 6,197 psi) and tensile strength at yield of 28.6 – 48 MPa (4,122 – 6,918 psi). The resin’s toughness (Notched Izod impact at room temperature) ranges from 200 – 300 j/m (3.75 – 5.2 ft-lbs/in).
Q. What is ABS resin used for?
A. Applications for ABS resins include pipes and fittings, automotive interior parts such as trim and instrument panels, appliance housings and parts, electrical and electronic equipment housings and keyboards, medical devices such as inhalers and nebulizers, luggage, sporting goods and toys.
Q. Can ABS materials be used for 3D printing?
A. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin was one of the first plastics to be used in industrial 3D printers. It is particularly well suited to 3D printing using fused deposition modeling (FDM), thanks to its low melt temperature. Although little post processing is required due to the highquality surface finish of ABS, it can be painted, machined, sanded and glued. Filaments made with ABS are offered by a number of manufacturers. Because ABS is hygroscopic, filaments must be protected from exposure to humidity. Typical applications include functional prototyping, concept modeling and tooling.

Our Mission

My mission at Polymer Resources has not changed since I founded this company more than four decades ago. It includes continuing our tradition of financial stability, sustainable growth and visionary leadership that compounds success for customers, suppliers and employees. It also means proudly manufacturing our products in America, and making them available to the global marketplace.

Les Klein, Chief Executive Officer, Polymer Resources, Ltd.

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