{"id":1536,"date":"2021-04-15T18:16:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T18:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sybridge.com\/?p=1536"},"modified":"2023-11-28T11:32:01","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T17:32:01","slug":"know-your-materials-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-abs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sybridge.com\/know-your-materials-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-abs\/","title":{"rendered":"Know Your Materials: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Previously published on fastradius.com on April 15, 2021<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is an impact-resistant engineering\u00a0thermoplastic<\/a>\u00a0created from acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene polymers. It\u2019s strong, durable, and compatible with many manufacturing processes, including\u00a0injection molding,\u00a0fused-deposition modeling (FDM), and even\u00a0CNC machining. Engineers and product teams choose ABS when they want a versatile and affordable material that\u2019s easy to machine. What chemical and mechanical properties does ABS offer? When does it make sense to use ABS over other thermoplastics<\/a>? Here\u2019s everything you need to know about this popular plastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Made?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Typically, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is made by emulsion or by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. This process produces a long chain of polybutadiene that crisscrosses with shorter chains of polystyrene-co-acrylonitrile, creating strong bonds. ABS can also be created by using a patented process known as continuous mass polymerization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABS is one manufacturing\u2019s most materials and it comes in a variety of forms. It can be made into pellets for injection molding, filament for additive manufacturing, and extruded for CNC machining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Higher-performance applications include seat belt and dashboard components in the automotive industry, compressors and manufacturing nebulizers in medical device manufacturing, and electronic enclosures.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Mechanical Properties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene has excellent mechanical properties. It\u2019s naturally strong and rigid but flexible enough to be highly machinable, and it stays mechanically strong and stable over time. It offers good impact resistance even at low temperatures, good insulating properties, and good abrasion and strain resistance. Additionally, it holds up well in the presence of diluted acids and alkalis. From a design standpoint, parts made with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic are easy to paint and glue and have excellent surface finishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mechanical specifications for generic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n