Why Choose ABS Plastic
In last topic we talked about the Top 5 synthetic plastic, and mentioned that ABS plastic is the most widely used resin for manufacturing, not only for Low Volume Manufacturing (such as prototype machining & rapid injection molding) but also mass molding production. Here we will talk some more characteristics of ABS plastic.
What is ABS Plastic
ABS plastic stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, it is a common thermoplastic polymer widely used in manufacturing.
What it is
A strong, lightweight plastic made from three monomers:
- Acrylonitrile→ gives chemical resistance and heat stability
- Butadiene→ adds toughness and impact resistance
- Styrene→ provides rigidity and a smooth finish
Key properties
- Tough and impact-resistant (doesn’t break easily)
- Lightweight but strong
- Resistant to heat and many chemicals
- Easy to mold and shape
- Can be glossy or matte
ABS Plastic
- ABS Block: machining material-You physically shape it by CNC or cutting tools.
- ABS Pallet: molding material - You melt pellets and inject them into a mold to form parts.
Why Choose ABS Plastic to Make My Products
ABS is a thermoplastic plastic resin without toxic or tasteless, which made by polymerizing styrene ans acrylonitrile in polybutadiene. The ratio can be varied from 15~35% acrylonitrile, 5~30% butadiene and 40~60% styrene. The styrene gives the plastic a shiny and impervious surface, the polybutadiene which is a rubber substance provides the toughness, and the nitrile binds the chains together to make it stronger. This is the one of the internal factors for the excellent combination property.
Main advantages of ABS Plastic
1. Good mechanical and thermal properties, milky white translucent, high hardness, easy to be painted and metallized
2. Resistance to fatigue and stress crack, high impact strength
3. Resistance to acid or other chemical corrosion
4. Easy to be processed by ABS Injection Molding.
5. Good machinability & adhesiveness. It’s very helpful to make a complex part by splitting it to machine then gluing together, when the part cannot be processed directly. This way is very popular for rapid CNC machining.
Main disadvantages of ABS Plastic
1. Poor weather resistance
2. Heat resistance is not very ideal
3. Low elongation
Parts Made in ABS Plastics
Industry
Typical ABS Parts
Function / Use
Automotive
Dashboard panels, interior trims, door handles, center consoles, air vents, glove box parts, mirror housings
Interior components requiring impact resistance and good appearance
Electronics
TV/monitor housings, keyboard shells, mouse casings, remote controls, router/modem housings, game console shells
Device protection and aesthetic casing
Home Appliances
Vacuum cleaner bodies, hair dryer shells, coffee machines, rice cookers, microwave panels, fan covers
Durable outer housings and control panels
Consumer Products
Toys (e.g., LEGO bricks), storage boxes, luggage shells, household containers
Everyday durable and lightweight products
Industrial Equipment
Machine covers, control panel housings, sensor housings, PLC boxes, protective guards
Protection and enclosure of industrial systems
Electrical & Power
Switch housings, socket casings, circuit breaker boxes, LED light housings, junction boxes
Electrical insulation and protective enclosures
Transportation
Train interior panels, aircraft tray tables, seat components, cabin covers, lighting housings
Lightweight non-structural interior parts
Office Equipment
Printer housings, POS machines, barcode scanners, ATM covers, cash register shells
Functional device casings and frames
Medical & Lab Equipment
Diagnostic device housings, lab instrument covers, sample holders, analyzer shells
Non-implant, protective equipment housings
Packaging & Cosmetic
Bottle caps, spray triggers, cosmetic cases, perfume caps, compact mirrors
Decorative and functional packaging components
Safety & Sports
Helmet shells, suitcase shells, skateboard/scooter parts, child seat housings
Impact-resistant protective products
Adding Agents to Improve ABS Plastic's Performance
ABS can improve the performance as well by adding some agents or combining with other resins. For example, by combining with PC, the shock strength and heat resistance can be increased obviously; by adding PVC, the impact toughness and flame resistance can be improved as well. The following table shows some general parameters for different grades of ABS.
Contact TEAM Rapid to Manufacture Your Plastic Parts
We have cooperated with many material companies' agents such as Sabic, CHIMEI, LG, BASF, etc. At TEAM Rapid, we can support customer for the material recommendation solution based on the part structuration and application with our rich experience and resources. We are a professional Low Volume Manufacturing company, which can not only produce the parts in the material requested by customers’ request for the mature parts, but also study and test the materials together with customers to work out the best material option for the new product or mass production with our rapid injection molding technology at the lowest cost in the beginning. Contact us today to request a rapid manufacturing quote.
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