ABS · grade
ABS Transparent
Properties of the Transparent condition, compared with the other ABS grades.
Methyl-methacrylate-modified ABS (MABS) with refractive-index-matched rubber phase giving glass-clear parts while retaining good toughness and easy processing.
What is ABS Transparent?
ABS Transparent is ABS in the Transparent grade — methyl-methacrylate-modified ABS (MABS) with refractive-index-matched rubber phase giving glass-clear parts while retaining good toughness and easy processing. ABS Transparent has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi). ABS Transparent has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 102°C (216 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Transparent is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 93% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
ABS Transparent properties
Typical room-temperature values for ABS Transparent — 45 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every ABS grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical4
ABS Transparent has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 102°C (216 °F).
Mechanical16
ABS Transparent has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi).
Thermal11
ABS Transparent is rated for continuous service to 75°C (167 °F). It conducts heat at 0.18 W/m·K (0.104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 85 µm/m·K (47.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
ABS Transparent is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ABS Transparent takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
ABS Transparent's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 73% of polymer grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other ABS grades and fills
ABS is also supplied in 17 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the ABS overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault balanced grade for housings, trim and enclosures where impact, appearance and cost matter more than heat or stiffness.43 MPa tensile
- StandardDefaultBaseline commercial ABS resin for cost-driven moulded and extruded parts; properties essentially the same as the unfilled default.42 MPa tensile
- GF40Highly stiff, dimensionally stable short-glass-reinforced ABS injection grade with near-isotropic low shrinkage but low ductility and abrasive processing.110 MPa tensile
- GF30Highest-stiffness ABS grade for load-bearing frames and metal-replacement parts; brittle, abrasive to tooling and shows fibre read-through.95 MPa tensile
- GF20Common structural ABS grade where creep resistance and low warpage matter more than impact or surface gloss.80 MPa tensile
- GF15Intermediate stiffness/dimensional-stability grade for structural brackets and covers.72 MPa tensile
- GF10Mild stiffening and shrinkage reduction while keeping usable toughness and surface quality.65 MPa tensile
- HHStyrene-maleic-anhydride/α-methylstyrene modified ABS lifting HDT by 10–20 °C for automotive interiors and appliance parts near heat sources.48 MPa tensile
- TransparentMethyl-methacrylate-modified ABS (MABS) with refractive-index-matched rubber phase giving glass-clear parts while retaining good toughness and easy processing.45 MPa yield · 72 HRM
- FR V-0Specify when a V-0 listing at the design wall thickness is a hard requirement (power supplies, switchgear, appliance electrics).43 MPa tensile
- FRUse for electrical enclosures, chargers and IT housings that must pass a UL 94 rating; slightly heavier, less tough and lower flowing than standard ABS.42 MPa tensile
- ESDCarbon- or additive-modified ABS for electronics trays, tote boxes and housings needing 10⁴–10⁹ Ω surface resistivity.40 MPa tensile
- ToughVat-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 MPa yield · 78 Shore D
- High ImpactChoose when notched impact and low-temperature toughness dominate (power-tool housings, luggage, protective covers); pays with lower stiffness and heat resistance.36 MPa yield · 98 HRR
- As PrintedUse 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 MPa yield
Working with ABS Transparent
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 Transparent — frequently asked
What is ABS Transparent used for?
ABS Transparent 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 Transparent?
ABS Transparent has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 18 listed tempers.
Is ABS Transparent easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 73% 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 Transparent be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). 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 Transparent?
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 Transparent 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 Transparent?
ABS Transparent 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.
What is the difference between ABS Unfilled and ABS Tough?
Unfilled is the default condition — default balanced grade for housings, trim and enclosures where impact, appearance and cost matter more than heat or stiffness. Tough: 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. Yield strength is 45 MPa in Unfilled versus 38 MPa in Tough.
Can FabDigit make parts in ABS Transparent?
Yes — ABS Transparent 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.