ABS (Click for Properties & Specs)
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ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) is an economical, general purpose material used in a wide variety of applications, including: aircraft interior trim, cassette holders, business machine housings, tote bins and trays, luggage, model building, water purification equipment, automotive parts, laboratory equipment, and household fixtures.

ABS is a copolymer composed of two copolymers and is one of the most common polymer materials. Styrene and Acrylonitrile form a linear copolymer (SAN) that serves as a matrix. Butadiene and Styrene also form a linear copolymer (BS rubber) which acts as the filler material. The combination of the two copolymers gives ABS an excellent combination of strength, rigidity, and toughness.

ABS has good chemical and stress-cracking resistance to inorganic salt solutions, alkalies, mineral acids (except strong oxidizing acids), and some mineral, vegetable, and animal oils. ABS is easily machined to close tolerances, is tough, dimensionally stable, and may also be thermoformed. Petroleum-based oils, solvents, and paints SHOULD NOT BE USED, as they will cause the material to craze. ABS is also one of the few non-metallic materials which can be readily electroplated (after an electroless plating surface has been applied using a selective etching process).
 
TYPICAL PROPERTIES of ABS

NOTE: All values are average test results from typical production material. No warranty is implied or guaranteed and testing is recommended for each application.

 ASTM or
 UL Test      Property Tested                                       ABS
 PHYSICAL  
 D792         Density (lb/in3)                                      0.038
 D792         Density (g/cm3)                                       1.04
 D570         Water Absorbtion, 24 (%)                              --
 MECHANICAL
 D638         Tensile Strength (psi)                                6,500
 D638         Tensile Modulus  (psi)                                340,000
 D638         Tensile Elongation at Break (%)                       25
 D790         Flexural Strength (psi)                               11,000
 D790         Flexural Modulus (psi)                                320,000
 D695         Compressive Strength (psi)                            --
 D695         Compressive Modulus (psi)                             --
 D785         Hardness, Rockwell                                    R105
 D256         IZOD Notched Impact (ft-lb/in)                        7.0
 THERMAL
 D696         Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion               5.3
              (x10-5 in./in./0F)          
 D648         Heat Deflection Temp                                  215/102
              (0F/0C) at 264 psi 
 D3418         Melting Temp (0F/0C)                                  --
 --            Max Operating Temp (0F/0C)                           140/60
 C177          Thermal Conductivity (BTU-in/ft2-hr-0
              (x10-4 cal/cm-sec-0C                                   --
 UL94          Flammability Rating                                  H-B
 ELECTRICAL
 D149         Dielectric Strength (V/mil) short time, 1/8" thick    --
 D150         Dielectric Constant at 60 Hz                          -- 
 D150         Dissipation Factor at 60 Hz                           --
 D257         Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) at 50% RH                 1015
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