May 4 2001
Polyacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is an off-white/grayish, amorphous engineering thermoplastic that is relatively hard and reasonably tough when low temperature is maintained.
It is manufactured in a broad range of grades customized to individual end-uses which can vary considerably in copolymer ratios.
In general, they are easily processed and bonded but have poor fatigue and solvent resistance and have poor UV resistance unless protected or stabilized.
Polymer Type
Thermoplastic
Advantages
Advantages of Polyacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene include, hard for a thermoplastic and reasonably tough (maintains impact resistance to low temperatures). Polyacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene is easily processed (may be electroplated), easily bonded had has a good gloss surface finish.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of Polyacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) include:
- Poor solvent and fatigue resistance.
- Poor UV resistance unless protected.
- Maximum continuous use temperature approx. 70 °C ( 160 °F ).
- Poor bearing properties (high friction and wear).
- High smoke evolution.
Applications
Cabinets and cases, particularly for domestic and industrial instruments, e.g. TV cabinets, food mixers, telephone sets, vacuum cleaners. Vacuum forming for baths, shower trays etc. Extruded into pipe. Used in preference to PVC for high (50-70 °C/120-60 °F) or low (less than –20 °C/-4 °F) temperatures. Moldings may be electroplated for bathroom or automotive applications.
Other applications include boat hulls, pipes, and vehicle components.
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Boat hulls are one of the many applications that utilise Polyacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Image Credit: Shutterstock/freevideophotoagency
Source : Abstracted from Plascams
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