ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a tough engineering thermoplastic with a surface that takes paint, plating and texture better than any other commodity polymer.
Three monomers, each doing a different job
ABS is a terpolymer, and each component earns its place. Acrylonitrile brings chemical resistance and heat stability. Butadiene brings impact strength and toughness. Styrene brings rigidity, gloss and processability. Shift the ratio and the grade changes character entirely.
The result is a material that moulds cleanly, machines and glues well, and finishes beautifully. It is the default for appliance and electronics housings, automotive interior trim and anything that has to look manufactured rather than moulded.
- Injection grades for housings, trim and technical mouldings.
- Extrusion and sheet grades for thermoforming.
- Plating and high-gloss grades for finished decorative parts.
ABS grades we supply
A focused injection and extrusion range. Flame-retardant, plating and high-heat grades can be sourced against a confirmed order.
- SD 0150
- ABS-40
- ABS-50
- ABS-70
What decides the ABS grade
ABS selection is a balance between impact strength, heat resistance and surface finish. Raising one usually costs one of the others.
- Impact strength: driven by butadiene content, and the first property most parts are specified on.
- Heat deflection temperature: decides whether the part survives paint bake or hot service.
- Melt flow rate: matched to wall thickness and flow length in the tool.
- Surface finish: high-gloss, matt or plating grade, chosen by how the part is finished.
- UV stability: standard ABS yellows outdoors, so exterior parts need a stabilised grade.
Typical ABS applications
If a part is visible, handled daily and expected to look good for years, ABS is usually on the shortlist.
- Appliance and electronics housings
- Automotive interior trim and consoles
- Luggage shells and cases
- Sanitary ware and bathroom fittings
- Toys and consumer products
- Pipe and fittings for drainage
- Extruded and thermoformed sheet
- Chrome-plated decorative parts
Need an ABS grade for a visible part?
Tell us the finish, the impact requirement and the service temperature. We will confirm which grades match and what is available now.