ABS
ASTM D4673 · GB GB/T 15597 · ISO 2580 ABS · also Cycolac, Lustran
ABS is an amorphous terpolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene that combines styrenic stiffness and easy processing with rubber-phase toughness, giving good notched impact down to about -20 °C.
ABS grades and fills
ABS is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 13 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDM/FFF printed ABS (XY orientation, no annealing) | Use for realistic design values of FDM ABS parts: layer bonding and voids cut strength 25–50 % versus moulded ABS, with much lower Z-axis strength. | 29 | 30 | 6 | |
high-rubber, super-tough grade | Choose when notched impact and low-temperature toughness dominate (power-tool housings, luggage, protective covers); pays with lower stiffness and heat resistance. | 36 | 37 | 40 | 98 HRR |
ABS-like tough photopolymer | Vat-photopolymer resin marketed as ABS-like for snap fits, prototypes and functional assemblies; tough and ductile but far lower heat resistance and UV-ageing than moulded ABS. | 38 | 44 | 45 | 78 Shore D |
Electroplating (chrome-plate) grade | High-butadiene grade tuned for chromic/sulfuric etch and good plating adhesion on decorative bright-chrome parts. | 38 | 40 | 25 | 76 Shore D |
Static-dissipative / conductive-modified grade | Carbon- or additive-modified ABS for electronics trays, tote boxes and housings needing 10⁴–10⁹ Ω surface resistivity. | 39 | 40 | 8 | 80 Shore D |
Flame-retardant grade | Use for electrical enclosures, chargers and IT housings that must pass a UL 94 rating; slightly heavier, less tough and lower flowing than standard ABS. | 41 | 42 | 15 | 78 Shore D |
UL 94 V-0 rated flame-retardant grade | Specify when a V-0 listing at the design wall thickness is a hard requirement (power supplies, switchgear, appliance electrics). | 42 | 43 | 12 | 79 Shore D |
Heat-resistant (high-heat) grade | Styrene-maleic-anhydride/α-methylstyrene modified ABS lifting HDT by 10–20 °C for automotive interiors and appliance parts near heat sources. | 47 | 48 | 15 | 80 Shore D |
10 % glass-fibre reinforced | Mild stiffening and shrinkage reduction while keeping usable toughness and surface quality. | 65 | 4 | ||
15 % glass-fibre reinforced | Intermediate stiffness/dimensional-stability grade for structural brackets and covers. | 72 | 3 | ||
20 % glass-fibre reinforced | Common structural ABS grade where creep resistance and low warpage matter more than impact or surface gloss. | 80 | 2.8 | ||
30 % glass-fibre reinforced | Highest-stiffness ABS grade for load-bearing frames and metal-replacement parts; brittle, abrasive to tooling and shows fibre read-through. | 95 | 2.3 | ||
40% Glass Fiber | Highly stiff, dimensionally stable short-glass-reinforced ABS injection grade with near-isotropic low shrinkage but low ductility and abrasive processing. | 110 | 1.8 | 96 HRM |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ABS is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Medical | ISO 10993 / USP VI biocompatible, sterilisable grade | Certification |
Transparent | Transparent ABS | Grade option |
UV | UV-stabilised / weatherable grade | Grade option |
StandardDefault | Commodity injection/extrusion grade | Standard supply |
UnfilledDefault | General-purpose natural/black injection grade | Standard supply |
What is ABS?
ABS is an amorphous terpolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene that combines styrenic stiffness and easy processing with rubber-phase toughness, giving good notched impact down to about -20 °C. It is the default choice for injection-moulded housings, automotive interior trim, appliance parts, extruded sheet for thermoforming and FDM 3D-printing filament, and it machines, glues, solvent-welds and electroplates readily. Limits are modest heat resistance (HDT ≈ 85–95 °C), poor UV/weathering stability without stabilisers or capping, and poor resistance to ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents and concentrated acids. ABS has a density of 1.04 g/cm³ (0.0376 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F). ABS has a yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) and a tensile strength of 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.3 GPa (0.334 Msi).
What is ABS used for?
- Electronic enclosures and housings
- Power tool housings
- Computer keyboards
- Automotive interior trim
- Appliance panels and bezels
- Thermoformed trays and luggage shells
- Chrome-plated decorative trim
- FDM prototypes and jigs
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 78/100, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 68/100, worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 22/100, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades
ABS properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Unfilled condition; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
ABS has a density of 1.04 g/cm³ (0.0376 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Mechanical16
ABS has a yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) and a tensile strength of 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.3 GPa (0.334 Msi).
Thermal11
ABS is rated for continuous service to 75°C (167 °F). It conducts heat at 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 90 µm/m·K (50 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
ABS is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), worse than 85% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ABS takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
ABS's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability very good (82/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. ABS is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ABS
Is ABS easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp, positive-rake, polished-flute tools and high speed/low feed; use air blast rather than flood coolant and avoid solvent-based cutting fluids that cause stress cracking.
Can ABS be welded?
Excellent solvent bonding (MEK, acetone, ABS cement) plus ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and hot-gas welding; anneal or de-stress before solvent exposure to prevent crazing.
Can ABS be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C, mould at 210–260 °C melt / 40–80 °C tool with 0.4–0.7 % shrinkage; extruded sheet vacuum-forms readily at 150–180 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to ABS. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.8 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 420 / 520 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 10× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / 0.4 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent82 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent78 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | 0.3 – 0.7 % |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | 0.8 – 4 mm |
| Recommended draft | 1 ° |
| Pre-drying | 80 °C for 4 h |
| UV resistance | Fair |
3D printing
| Technologies | FDM |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
ABS chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| styrenerigid SAN matrix component | 40 – 60 | 50 |
| acrylonitrileprovides chemical resistance and strength | 15 – 35 | 24 |
| polybutadiene rubbergrafted rubber phase; higher levels = high-impact grades | 5 – 30 | 18 |
| additives (stabilisers, lubricants, pigm | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
What surface finishes work on ABS?
Takes paint, hot stamping, vapour smoothing (acetone) and is the standard plastic for decorative chrome electroplating after chromic/permanganate etch; requires UV-stable topcoat for outdoor use.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Coating
Injection Molding Coating
Organic Coating
Metallization / Functional
Coloring
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to ABS in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D4673
- ISO
- 2580 ABS
- GB (China)
- GB/T 15597
- Trade names
- CycolacLustranMagnumTerluranDurable ResinFormlabs ToughSLA DurableSLA ToughAcrylonitrile Butadiene StyreneABS Filament
How much does ABS cost?
ABS is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 98% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
ABS — frequently asked
What is ABS used for?
ABS is typically used for electronic enclosures and housings, power tool housings, computer keyboards, automotive interior trim, appliance panels and bezels and thermoformed trays and luggage shells. In short: tough general purpose.
What is the yield strength of ABS?
ABS has a typical yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) and a tensile strength of 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is ABS easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp, positive-rake, polished-flute tools and high speed/low feed; use air blast rather than flood coolant and avoid solvent-based cutting fluids that cause stress cracking.
Can ABS be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Excellent solvent bonding (MEK, acetone, ABS cement) plus ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and hot-gas welding; anneal or de-stress before solvent exposure to prevent crazing.
What surface finishes work on ABS?
Takes paint, hot stamping, vapour smoothing (acetone) and is the standard plastic for decorative chrome electroplating after chromic/permanganate etch; requires UV-stable topcoat for outdoor use.
Can ABS be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C, mould at 210–260 °C melt / 40–80 °C tool with 0.4–0.7 % shrinkage; extruded sheet vacuum-forms readily at 150–180 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of ABS?
ABS is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does ABS cost?
ABS is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 98% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in ABS?
Yes — ABS is available for CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM D4673 / D3965 — Standard Classification for ABS Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2021)
- ISO 2580-1/-2 — Plastics — Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2019)
- Terluran / Novodur / Lustran ABS product datasheets — INEOS Styrolution (2023)
- Cycolac ABS resin datasheets — SABIC (2022)
- Magnum ABS resin datasheets — Trinseo (2022)
- Tough 1500 / Tough 2000 / Durable resin technical data sheets — Formlabs (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — ABS ISO 10350 datasets — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.