ABS Plating
Grade
ASTM D4673 · GB GB/T 15597 · ISO 2580 ABS · also Cycolac, Lustran
Plating = electroplating (chrome-plate) grade
High-butadiene grade tuned for chromic/sulfuric etch and good plating adhesion on decorative bright-chrome parts.
Values for the Plating condition
Other ABS grades and fills
ABS is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at ABS.
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 |
PlatingThis page 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 |
What is ABS Plating?
ABS Plating is ABS in the Plating grade — high-butadiene grade tuned for chromic/sulfuric etch and good plating adhesion on decorative bright-chrome parts. ABS Plating has a yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 64% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi). ABS Plating has a density of 1.05 g/cm³ (0.0379 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 78/100, better than 84% 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
- Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades
ABS Plating properties
Typical room-temperature values for ABS Plating; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ABS reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
ABS Plating has a density of 1.05 g/cm³ (0.0379 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Mechanical16
ABS Plating has a yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 64% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi).
Thermal11
ABS Plating is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °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 Plating 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 Plating 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 Plating's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (66/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ABS Plating
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.
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.
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 |
ABS Plating — frequently asked
What is ABS Plating used for?
ABS Plating 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 Plating?
ABS Plating has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 64% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is ABS Plating easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% 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 Plating 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 Plating?
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 Plating 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 Plating?
ABS Plating is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in ABS Plating?
Yes — ABS Plating 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.