ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS is a terpolymer made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. The proportions can vary from 15 to 35% acrylonitrile, 5 to 30% butadiene and 40 to 60% styrene. The result is a long chain of polybutadiene criss-crossed with shorter chains of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile). The nitrile groups from neighboring chains, being polar, attract each other and bind the chains together, making ABS stronger than pure polystyrene. The styrene gives the plastic a shiny, impervious surface. The polybutadiene, a rubbery substance, provides resilience even at low temperatures. For the majority of applications, ABS can be used between −20 and 80 °C (−4 and 176 °F) as its mechanical properties vary with temperature. The properties are created by rubber toughening, where fine particles of elastomer are distributed throughout the rigid matrix.

ABS possesses outstanding impact strength and high mechanical strength, which makes it suitable for use in tough consumer and industrial products, including: appliances, automotive parts, pipe, business machines and telephone components. In the 1960s, ABS found wide outlet as a substrate for metallizing (i.e., applying a chrome-like metallic finish to the plastic) and appeared in such products as shower heads, door handles, faucet handles and automotive front grilles.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is one of the most versatile thermoplastic materials. Because of its impact strength, chemical resistance, color options and excellent aesthetic qualities, a variety of products can be manufactured. ABS can be easily machined making this the material of choice for parts that are turned, drilled, milled sawed, die cut and routed. It is commonly used to make lightweight, rigid products such as automotive parts, piping and laboratory equipment. Other applications include aircraft interior trim, luggage, tote bins and trays, water purification equipment and computer housings.

ABS plastic sheet provides a balanced combination of mechanical toughness and impact resistance with an ease of thermoforming and fabrication.

Key Properties

High Impact Strength

Ease of Fabrication

Good Chemical Resistance

Cost Effective

Lightweight and Strong

Standard Shapes and Forms

Sheet: .030” – .500” thick

Other Forms:  Rod and Sheet - see ABS under Engineering Plastics

Grades and Colors

SPARTECH SP-9010

Spartech SP-9010 ABS sheet is the general purpose grade sheet and is engineered to meet demanding thermoforming applications. Combining high impact strength with outstanding mechanical properties, SP-9010 provides an economical alternative to premium high impact ABS systems.

SP-9010 is a medium impact rigid ABS sheet, which provides good physical properties at an effective price. 

                                                General Purpose SP-9010 Data

  Test                           Condition                                          Units                                     Value

Specific Gravity            ASTM D792                                        g/cm3                                  1.04

Tensile Modulus            ASTM D638                                        psi                                       310,000

Tensile Strength           ASTM D638                                        psi                                       6,000

Flexural Modulus          ASTM D790                                        psi                                       340,000

Flexural Strength         ASTM D790                                        psi                                       10,000

Izod Impact                ASTM D256 (73°F, -40°C)                   Ft-lbs/in. 7.5                           2.5

Falling Dart Impact      ASTM D3029(73°F, -40°C)                  Ft-lbs 33                                12

Heat Deflection

Temperature              ASTM D648                                        °F                                          198

Hardness                  ASTM D785                                         Rockwell R                             105

Gardner Gloss           ASTM D523                                         %                                          90

Flammability Rating   MVSS 302                                                                                        Passes

                               UL94 HB                                                                                          Passes                 

ROYALITE R-59

Royalite R-59 is a unique ABS/PVC product that meets many industry flammability standards. It is recognized under the component program of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. with a classification of 94V-1 at 0.058", 94V-0 at 0.085" and 94-5VA at 0.085". It combines very high impact strength with excellent ductility and formability. Because of its fire rating, Royalite R59 sheet has won acceptance in a variety of applications from rapid transit vehicle interiors to computer and electronic data processing terminals. Its high rigidity in thin gauges coupled with consistent high quality color, texture and gloss makes it ideal for such varied applications as computer side panels and airport seating.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES                                 (units) VALUES                           METHODS

Specific Gravity                                               1.18-1.25 †                             ASTM D-792

Tensile Strength,                                             5000                                        ASTM D-638

machine direction  (psi)                                

Flexural Strength (psi)                                     7800                                        ASTM D-790

Flexural Modulus (105 psi)                                2.8                                          ASTM D-790

Impact Strength                                              8.0                                          ASTM D-256

 @ 72°F (ft-lb/in notch)

Notched Izod @ -20°F (ft-lb/in notch)               1.8

Hardness Rockwell Scale R                             93                                           ASTM D-785

Heat Deflection @ 264 psi (°F)                        175                                          ASTM D-648

Temperature (annealed)

Coefficient of (in/in/°Fx10-5)                         4.6-5.5                                     ASTM D-696

Thermal Expansion

Thermoforming                                            Low (°F)                                    325

 Machine Temperature Range                        High (°F)                                   400

Mold Shrinkage (in/in)                                  0.005-0.007

Flammability Rating:

Motor Vehicle Standard                                    Passes                                   FMVSS 302

Underwriters Lab                                             Listed                                    UL 94 V-0

Underwriters Lab                                             Listed                                    UL 94 5VA

Radiant Panel (Flame Spread Index)                 Listed                                    UL 94 RP-50

Relative Thermal Index (RTI)

Electrical                                                        85°C                                      UL746

Mechanical w/impact                                       70°C                                      UL746

Mechanical w/o impact                                    85°C                                      UL746

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Pictures: