MABS
MABS is a transparent styrenic terpolymer — ABS modified with methyl methacrylate — that keeps ABS-like impact toughness while transmitting light.
Reference datasheet — MABS 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.
MABS grades and fills
MABS is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-impact transparent grade | Pick where drop/snap-fit toughness matters more than stiffness and a small clarity/haze penalty is acceptable. | 38 | 40 | 45 | 74 Shore D |
Flame-retardant transparent/translucent grade | Pick when a UL 94 V-2/V-0 rating is mandatory in a see-through part; expect haze, lower impact and reduced flow. | 43 | 45 | 12 | 79 Shore D |
High-flow transparent grade | Pick for thin-wall, long-flow or multi-cavity cosmetic parts where fill pressure limits the design. | 44 | 45 | 15 | 79 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways MABS is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
SHEET | Extrusion grade for transparent sheet/profile | Supply form |
TINT | Transparent tinted / colored grade | Surface finish |
FDA | Food-contact compliant transparent grade | Certification |
MED | Medical / gamma & EO sterilizable transparent grade | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilized / low-yellowing transparent grade | Grade option |
GPDefault | General-purpose transparent | Standard supply |
What is MABS?
MABS is a transparent styrenic terpolymer — ABS modified with methyl methacrylate — that keeps ABS-like impact toughness while transmitting light. Grades on file include general-purpose, high-flow, high-impact, UV-stabilized, medical, FDA, flame-retardant, tinted and extruded sheet. Typical properties are 48 MPa tensile strength at 25 % elongation, so clear housings can carry snap fits instead of screws, and sheet thermoforms for covers and windows. It is less scratch- and weather-resistant than PMMA and is subject to environmental stress cracking in ketone and ester solvents; SAN is the alternative where clarity and rigidity outweigh impact strength. MABS has a density of 1.08 g/cm³ (0.039 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F). MABS has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
What is MABS used for?
- Clear housings
- Medical device covers
- Cosmetic packaging
- Toys with clear windows
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 82/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 62/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
MABS properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
MABS has a density of 1.08 g/cm³ (0.039 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Mechanical17
MABS has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
Thermal11
MABS 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
MABS is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 87% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MABS takes about 96 MJ of energy and emits 4.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
MABS's machinability is good (68/100, better than 71% of polymer grades); weldability very good (82/100); formability very good (72/100).
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. MABS is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with MABS
Is MABS easy to machine?
Machines and drills like acrylic/ABS with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed; use air or mist cooling and avoid cutting fluids that stress-crack (ketones, esters).
Can MABS be welded?
Excellent for ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and solvent bonding (MEK/THF-based cements); no fusion welding, and adhesive/solvent selection must consider environmental stress cracking.
Can MABS be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 220–260 °C melt, 40–80 °C tool, after 2–4 h drying at 75–80 °C; polished tooling and slow-to-moderate fill give best clarity, and extrusion grades thermoform readily at 140–160 °C.
MABS 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 |
|---|---|---|
| methyl methacrylate (MMA)raises matrix refractive index to match rubber phase | 35 – 60 | 50 |
| styrene | 15 – 35 | 25 |
| acrylonitrilechemical resistance and rigidity | 5 – 20 | 12 |
| polybutadiene rubbergrafted impact modifier, refractive-index matched | 5 – 18 | 12 |
| additives (antioxidant, lubricant, UV ab | 0.1 – 2 | 0.8 |
What surface finishes work on MABS?
As-molded high gloss from polished tools; can be hard-coated, anti-fog or AR coated, hot-stamped, pad-printed and vacuum metallized, but paints/primers must be solvent-compatible to avoid crazing.
How much does MABS cost?
MABS is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
MABS — frequently asked
What is MABS used for?
MABS is typically used for clear housings, medical device covers, cosmetic packaging and toys with clear windows. In short: transparent, impact-resistant ABS; tougher than clear SAN; solvent-bondable clear resin.
What is the yield strength of MABS?
MABS has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is MABS easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 71% of polymer grades). Machines and drills like acrylic/ABS with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed; use air or mist cooling and avoid cutting fluids that stress-crack (ketones, esters).
Can MABS be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (82/100). Excellent for ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and solvent bonding (MEK/THF-based cements); no fusion welding, and adhesive/solvent selection must consider environmental stress cracking.
What surface finishes work on MABS?
As-molded high gloss from polished tools; can be hard-coated, anti-fog or AR coated, hot-stamped, pad-printed and vacuum metallized, but paints/primers must be solvent-compatible to avoid crazing.
Can MABS be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 220–260 °C melt, 40–80 °C tool, after 2–4 h drying at 75–80 °C; polished tooling and slow-to-moderate fill give best clarity, and extrusion grades thermoform readily at 140–160 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of MABS?
MABS is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does MABS cost?
MABS is a standard-cost polymer ($$), 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
- Terlux MABS transparent styrenic grade datasheets — INEOS Styrolution (2022)
- TOYOLAC transparent ABS (MABS) grade list — Toray Industries (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — MABS ISO 10350 datasets — CWFG/CAMPUS (2024)
- UL Prospector / UL 94 material listings for transparent styrenics — UL Solutions (2023)
- ISO 19064 (SAN/ABS-family designation) and ISO 10350-1 property acquisition — ISO (2021)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ABS/MABS (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.