AES
AES is an ABS-type terpolymer in which EPDM rubber replaces the butadiene phase, removing the unsaturation responsible for ABS chalking and giving weatherable molded-in-color parts.
Reference datasheet — AES is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
AES grades and fills
AES is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-impact grade | Pick when low-temperature toughness or thick-wall impact (bumper covers, mirror housings, guards) governs. | 31 | 33 | 50 | 96 HRR |
Flame-retardant grade | For outdoor electrical enclosures, PV junction/connector housings and appliance parts needing V-0 plus weathering. | 36 | 38 | 18 | 105 HRR |
High-flow / thin-wall injection grade | For long flow paths, thin walls and high-gloss surfaces where cycle time matters more than maximum toughness. | 42 | 44 | 22 | 108 HRR |
Heat-resistant grade | Choose for parts seeing sustained 90–100 °C, e.g. under-hood-adjacent trim or dark exterior surfaces in hot climates. | 43 | 45 | 20 | 110 HRR |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways AES is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EXT | Extrusion / sheet & profile grade | Supply form |
PLATE | Plating/painting grade | Supply form |
UV | UV-stabilized / super-weatherable pigmented grade | Grade option |
GPDefault | General-purpose unfilled injection grade | Standard supply |
What is AES?
AES is an ABS-type terpolymer in which EPDM rubber replaces the butadiene phase, removing the unsaturation responsible for ABS chalking and giving weatherable molded-in-color parts. Grades cover general purpose, high impact, high flow, extrusion, high heat, UV-stabilized, flame-retardant and platable, with typical values of 40 MPa tensile strength at 35 % elongation. It is supplied as injection pellets and as cap-extrusion sheet over ABS or PVC substrates for outdoor housings and trim. Cost is higher than ABS, with slightly lower stiffness and heat resistance; ASA is the nearest alternative, and PC/ASA where more heat and impact capability is needed. AES has a density of 1.04 g/cm³ (0.0376 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 103°C (217 °F). AES 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 35% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi).
What is AES used for?
- Outdoor equipment housings
- Garden furniture
- Automotive exterior trim
- Weather-resistant enclosures
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 80/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 82% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 75% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades
AES properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
AES has a density of 1.04 g/cm³ (0.0376 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 103°C (217 °F).
Mechanical11
AES 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 35% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi).
Thermal11
AES is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °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
AES is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AES takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 4.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
AES's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. AES is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AES
Is AES easy to machine?
Machines and drills easily like ABS with sharp tools, positive rake and air cooling; avoid heat build-up and solvent-based coolants to prevent smearing and stress cracking.
Can AES be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and vibration welding all work well; adhesive bonding with cyanoacrylate/epoxy or urethane is preferred over solvent cement since the EPDM phase can be attacked.
Can AES be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C, mold at 200–245 °C melt / 40–80 °C tool, shrinkage 0.4–0.7 %; extrusion grades cap-extrude well over ABS or PVC substrates and thermoform readily.
AES 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 |
|---|---|---|
| acrylonitrilein SAN matrix; raises rigidity, heat and chemical resistance | 15 – 27 | 22 |
| EPDM rubbersaturated rubber phase, grafted/blended; source of impact and UV stability | 10 – 30 | 18 |
| stabilizers/pigments/lubricantsantioxidant, HALS/UV absorber, processing aids | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| styrenebalance of matrix | balance |
What surface finishes work on AES?
Takes 1K/2K polyurethane and acrylic paints well and can be chrome-plated with plating grades; unpainted molded-in-color parts are the main selling point, so avoid over-polishing which smears the rubber phase.
How much does AES cost?
AES is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
AES — frequently asked
What is AES used for?
AES is typically used for outdoor equipment housings, garden furniture, automotive exterior trim and weather-resistant enclosures. In short: weatherable ABS replacement; EPDM-modified, UV stable; sits between ABS and ASA.
What is the yield strength of AES?
AES has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 64% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is AES easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines and drills easily like ABS with sharp tools, positive rake and air cooling; avoid heat build-up and solvent-based coolants to prevent smearing and stress cracking.
Can AES be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and vibration welding all work well; adhesive bonding with cyanoacrylate/epoxy or urethane is preferred over solvent cement since the EPDM phase can be attacked.
What surface finishes work on AES?
Takes 1K/2K polyurethane and acrylic paints well and can be chrome-plated with plating grades; unpainted molded-in-color parts are the main selling point, so avoid over-polishing which smears the rubber phase.
Can AES be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C, mold at 200–245 °C melt / 40–80 °C tool, shrinkage 0.4–0.7 %; extrusion grades cap-extrude well over ABS or PVC substrates and thermoform readily.
What is the maximum service temperature of AES?
AES is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 100°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does AES cost?
AES is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Sources
- AES weatherable styrenic resin datasheets (grade families for injection and extrusion) — Japanese/Chinese styrenics producers (e.g. UMG ABS / JSR-type AES, Qimei-class weatherable styrenics) (2023)
- CAMPUS / Prospector styrenic terpolymer property records (ISO 527/178/75/306 tests) — CWFG / UL Prospector (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics (styrenic terpolymers) — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 / ASTM D256 / ASTM D785 test methods; UL 94 flammability — ISO / ASTM / UL (2021)
- AES / ABS — 1688 / (SMM-type quotes) (2026)
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.