PU-ABS-like Tough
Grade
Tough = impact-modified (PP/ABS-tough) casting grade
Softer, higher-elongation formulation for living hinges, clip-on covers and drop-test parts where brittleness of the standard grade fails.
Values for the Tough condition
Other PU-ABS-like grades and fills
PU-ABS-like is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PU-ABS-like.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ToughThis page Impact-modified (PP/ABS-tough) casting grade | Softer, higher-elongation formulation for living hinges, clip-on covers and drop-test parts where brittleness of the standard grade fails. | 30 | 42 | 45 | 75 Shore D |
Flame-retardant ABS-like | Filled/halogen- or phosphorus-modified version for electrical enclosures and appliance prototypes that must pass a V-0 style burn test. | 45 | 48 | 6 | 84 Shore D |
Mineral / glass-filled stiffened ABS-like | Aluminium-trihydrate, talc or milled-glass loaded system for stiffer, more dimensionally stable and lower-shrinkage large castings. | — | 45 | 2.5 | 87 Shore D |
Pigmented / black-tinted casting grade | Same base resin with 1–3 % PU colour paste added to the polyol side when the part must be through-coloured instead of painted. | 54 | 58 | 10 | 82 Shore D |
Heat-resistant ABS-like | Choose when the prototype sees under-hood, lamp, or paint-bake temperatures above ~80 °C; requires a full 80–100 °C post-cure. | — | 68 | 6 | 85 Shore D |
What is PU-ABS-like Tough?
PU-ABS-like Tough is PU-ABS-like in the Tough grade — softer, higher-elongation formulation for living hinges, clip-on covers and drop-test parts where brittleness of the standard grade fails. PU-ABS-like Tough has a yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 89% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 1.5 GPa (0.218 Msi). PU-ABS-like Tough has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 75°C (167 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 83% of polyurethane grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 90% of polyurethane grades
- Low strength — 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), worse than 89% of polyurethane grades
PU-ABS-like Tough properties
Typical room-temperature values for PU-ABS-like Tough; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PU-ABS-like reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polyurethane grades.
Physical4
PU-ABS-like Tough has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 75°C (167 °F).
Mechanical12
PU-ABS-like Tough has a yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 89% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 1.5 GPa (0.218 Msi).
Thermal10
PU-ABS-like Tough is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of polyurethane grades. Thermal expansion is 90 µm/m·K (50 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PU-ABS-like Tough is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 18 kV/mm (457.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 58% of polyurethane grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PU-ABS-like Tough takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of polyurethane grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability4
PU-ABS-like Tough's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 83% of polyurethane grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PU-ABS-like Tough
Is PU-ABS-like easy to machine?
Machines and drills easily with sharp HSS/carbide tools and light feeds; keep speeds moderate to avoid local heating and gumming, and always machine after full post-cure.
Can PU-ABS-like be welded?
Thermoset — cannot be heat welded; join by 2K PU/epoxy adhesive, cyanoacrylate or mechanical fasteners and heat-set inserts.
Can PU-ABS-like be formed, bent or molded?
Degas both components, mix 1:1 under vacuum, pour into a 40 °C silicone mould, demould after 20–40 min and post-cure 2–4 h at 70–80 °C for full HDT and dimensional stability.
What surface finishes work on PU-ABS-like?
Sands, primes and paints extremely well (PU/2K primer), takes vacuum metallising, pad printing and soft-touch coats; no anodising or plating without a conductive base coat.
PU-ABS-like 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 |
|---|---|---|
| MDI-based polyisocyanate (A-side prepolyaromatic MDI in standard grades; aliphatic HDI/IPDI in UV-stable grades | 40 – 55 | 50 |
| catalyst / defoamer / UV & colour additi | 0.1 – 3 | 1.5 |
| mineral or glass filler0 in the default unfilled grade; 20–40 % in FILL/FR variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| polyol blend (polyester/polyether + chaiB-side; mix ratio typically 1:1 by weight | ≥ 40 (balance) | — |
PU-ABS-like Tough — frequently asked
What is PU-ABS-like Tough used for?
PU-ABS-like Tough is typically used for prototype housings, snap-fit enclosures, functional test parts and low-volume bridge production. In short: closest cast ABS substitute; best-finishing prototype resin; 70 °C service ceiling.
What is the yield strength of PU-ABS-like Tough?
PU-ABS-like Tough has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 89% of polyurethane grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PU-ABS-like Tough easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 83% of polyurethane grades). Machines and drills easily with sharp HSS/carbide tools and light feeds; keep speeds moderate to avoid local heating and gumming, and always machine after full post-cure.
Can PU-ABS-like Tough be welded?
Thermoset — cannot be heat welded; join by 2K PU/epoxy adhesive, cyanoacrylate or mechanical fasteners and heat-set inserts.
What surface finishes work on PU-ABS-like Tough?
Sands, primes and paints extremely well (PU/2K primer), takes vacuum metallising, pad printing and soft-touch coats; no anodising or plating without a conductive base coat.
Can PU-ABS-like Tough be formed, bent or molded?
Degas both components, mix 1:1 under vacuum, pour into a 40 °C silicone mould, demould after 20–40 min and post-cure 2–4 h at 70–80 °C for full HDT and dimensional stability.
What is the maximum service temperature of PU-ABS-like Tough?
PU-ABS-like Tough is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- PX 223 / UPX 8400 vacuum casting polyurethane technical data — Axson Technologies (Sika) (2021)
- Hei-Cast 8150 series two-component urethane resin data sheet — Sanyu Rec (2020)
- Biresin U / rigid polyurethane casting systems — Sika Advanced Resins (2022)
- Polyurethane Handbook (properties of rigid cast elastomer/plastic systems) — Hanser (1994)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods referenced by casting-resin datasheets — ISO (2019)
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.