MABS FR
Flame-retardant grade
FR = 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.
Values for the FR condition
Other MABS grades and fills
MABS is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at MABS.
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 |
FRThis page 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 |
What is MABS FR?
MABS FR is MABS in the FR 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. MABS FR has a yield strength of 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 61% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 2.3 GPa (0.334 Msi). MABS FR has a density of 1.13 g/cm³ (0.0408 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.45%, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
MABS FR properties
Typical room-temperature values for MABS FR; 29 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are MABS reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
MABS FR has a density of 1.13 g/cm³ (0.0408 lb/in³), lighter than 62% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Mechanical17
MABS FR has a yield strength of 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 61% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 2.3 GPa (0.334 Msi).
Thermal11
MABS FR is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 85 µm/m·K (47.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
MABS FR 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 (55/100), worse than 94% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MABS FR 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 FR's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with MABS FR
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.
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.
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 |
MABS FR — frequently asked
What is MABS FR used for?
MABS FR 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 FR?
MABS FR has a typical yield strength of 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 61% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is MABS FR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% 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 FR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). 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 FR?
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 FR 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 FR?
MABS FR 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.