Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
What does ABS stand for?
ABS is an acronym for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a copolymer thermoplastic manufactured from the polymerization of Styrene and Acrylonitrile in the presence of Polybutadiene.
What is ABS’s plastic number?
ABS does not have its own plastic number. Products made with ABS use recycling number 7, which represent “other†plastic types.
You may find ABS products marked with a recycling symbol and “ABS†written inside or beneath it.
What are properties of ABS plastic?
ABS properties are based on the proportions between acrylonitrile, styrene, and butadiene rubber. The typical composition is about 50% styrene with the balance divided between butadiene and acrylonitrile.
- ABS takes on the strength and rigidity of acrylonitrile and styrene polymers combined with the toughness of butadiene rubber.
- Acrylonitrile, when combined with Styrene makes ABS stronger than polystyrene (PS plastic).
- Styrene gives ABS a shiny, impervious surface.
- Butadiene rubber gives ABS high impact resistance and resilience even at low temperatures.
- If you want ABS to be tough with high impact resistance, you can increase the proportion of butadiene rubber.
- ABS is flammable with high smoke generation (black soot).
- ABS has limited weathering resistance (due to the butadiene rubber).
- ABS can be processed with ease, it can be machined, turned, drilled, milled, sawed, bored, die-cut, routed and sheared (using high speed carbide-tipped tools).
- ABS polymers are resistant to aqueous acids, alkalis, concentrated hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, alcohols and animal, vegetable and mineral oils.
- ABS is swollen by glacial acetic acid, carbon tetrachloride and aromatic hydrocarbons and is attacked by concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids.
- ABS is soluble in esters, ketones, and ethylene dichloride.
- ABS is relatively expensive (it takes 2KG of petroleum to produce 1KG of ABS plastic).
What are some products made from ABS plastic?
- Cases for electrical devices, such as computers, televisions, kitchen appliances, etc…
- Automotive bumpers and other parts
- Aircraft and aerospace applications
- Luggage cases
- Toys such as Lego
- Musical instruments, such as recorders, clarinets, etc.
- Protective headgear, such as a helmet
- Golf clubs
- Containers
- Furniture such as chairs, tables, etc.
- Piping
Is ABS recyclable?
Yes, ABS is 100% recyclable.
Related Articles: