SAN IM
Grade
ASTM D4203 · GB GB/T 12670 · ISO 4894 SAN · also Luran, Tyril
IM = impact-modified / transparent toughened SAN
Rubber-modified transparent styrenic (MABS/SAN blend) when drop impact is needed while keeping see-through clarity.
Values for the IM condition
Other SAN grades and fills
SAN is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at SAN.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMThis page Impact-modified / transparent toughened SAN | Rubber-modified transparent styrenic (MABS/SAN blend) when drop impact is needed while keeping see-through clarity. | 44 | 48 | 20 | 76 Shore D |
Flame-retardant SAN | Compounded FR grade for electrical enclosures; opaque or translucent only, with reduced impact and heat performance. | 58 | 60 | 2 | 82 Shore D |
Easy-flow / high-MFR injection grade | For thin-wall, long-flow transparent parts and multi-cavity tools; slightly lower toughness and heat resistance. | 64 | 66 | 2.5 | 82 Shore D |
High-heat / high-acrylonitrile SAN | Higher AN content (~30%) for extra heat, stiffness and chemical/ESC resistance in lighting and hot-fill applications; slight yellow tint. | 76 | 78 | 2.5 | 85 Shore D |
20% Glass Fiber reinforced SAN | Entry stiffness upgrade with moderate warpage; used for pump housings and structural covers where opacity is acceptable. | — | 95 | 2.2 | 88 HRM |
30% Glass Fiber reinforced SAN | Common structural SAN grade balancing stiffness, dimensional stability and cost for appliance and pump parts. | — | 115 | 1.8 | 92 HRM |
40% Glass Fiber reinforced SAN | Maximum-stiffness SAN for load-bearing housings and pump impellers; brittle, abrasive to tooling and highly anisotropic. | — | 130 | 1.5 | 95 HRM |
What is SAN IM?
SAN IM is SAN in the IM grade — rubber-modified transparent styrenic (MABS/SAN blend) when drop impact is needed while keeping see-through clarity. SAN IM has a yield strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi). SAN IM has a density of 1.08 g/cm³ (0.039 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 106°C (223 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 95% 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
SAN IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for SAN IM; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SAN reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
SAN IM has a density of 1.08 g/cm³ (0.039 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 106°C (223 °F).
Mechanical17
SAN IM has a yield strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
Thermal11
SAN IM is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °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 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
SAN IM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 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 SAN IM takes about 96 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
SAN IM's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (58/100); formability fair (42/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with SAN IM
Is SAN easy to machine?
Machines like acrylic — sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high speed, low feed, air or mist cooling; avoid solvent coolants which cause crazing, and anneal at ~75 °C to relieve stress before machining.
Can SAN be welded?
Ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and solvent bonding (MEK/methylene-chloride blends) all work well; solvent joints must be stress-free or the part will craze.
Can SAN be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C, inject at 220–260 °C melt / 50–80 °C mold with moderate speed and generous gates; sheet thermoforms at 140–170 °C. Shrinkage 0.4–0.7 % (0.1–0.3 % for GF).
What surface finishes work on SAN?
Takes mirror finish directly from polished tooling; vacuum metallizing, hard coating and pad/screen printing are standard, but check ink and cleaner solvents against ESC risk.
SAN 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 |
|---|---|---|
| styrenemonomer unit | 70 – 80 | 75 |
| acrylonitrilehigher AN = higher heat/chemical resistance, more yellow tint | 20 – 30 | 25 |
| additives (stabilizers, lubricants, colo | 0.2 – 2 | 0.8 |
| glass fiber0 for unfilled; 20/30/40 wt% in GF variants | ≈ 0 | 0 |
SAN IM — frequently asked
What is SAN IM used for?
SAN IM is typically used for kitchenware and food containers, battery cases, cosmetic packaging, instrument lenses/covers and medical device housings. In short: transparent styrenic copolymer; stiffer than ABS; low elongation, notch-sensitive.
What is the yield strength of SAN IM?
SAN IM has a typical yield strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is SAN IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines like acrylic — sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high speed, low feed, air or mist cooling; avoid solvent coolants which cause crazing, and anneal at ~75 °C to relieve stress before machining.
Can SAN IM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (58/100). Ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and solvent bonding (MEK/methylene-chloride blends) all work well; solvent joints must be stress-free or the part will craze.
What surface finishes work on SAN IM?
Takes mirror finish directly from polished tooling; vacuum metallizing, hard coating and pad/screen printing are standard, but check ink and cleaner solvents against ESC risk.
Can SAN IM be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C, inject at 220–260 °C melt / 50–80 °C mold with moderate speed and generous gates; sheet thermoforms at 140–170 °C. Shrinkage 0.4–0.7 % (0.1–0.3 % for GF).
What is the maximum service temperature of SAN IM?
SAN IM 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
- ISO 4894-1/-2 Plastics — Styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (1997)
- ASTM D4203 Standard Specification for Styrene-Acrylonitrile (SAN) Injection and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2018)
- Luran SAN product range and processing guide — INEOS Styrolution (2022)
- Tyril SAN resin datasheets — Trinseo (2021)
- CAMPUS plastics database — SAN ISO 10350 datasets — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
- 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.