ENGINEERING MATERIAL

ABS Plastic

A trusted, all-purpose thermoplastic renowned for its toughness, impact resistance, and ease of processing. Ideal for functional prototypes, electronic enclosures, and consumer products.

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A prototype enclosure machined from raw, natural-colored ABS plastic

The Prototyper's Choice: Tough, Stable, and Versatile

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is an amorphous thermoplastic polymer. Its three monomers each contribute unique properties: Acrylonitrile provides chemical resistance and thermal stability, Butadiene provides toughness and impact strength, and Styrene provides a rigid structure and a glossy finish. This combination makes ABS one of the most popular and reliable materials in product development.

High Impact Resistance

ABS can withstand significant impacts and rough handling, making it perfect for handheld devices, protective casings, and parts that will be repeatedly assembled and disassembled.

Good Dimensional Stability

Parts made from ABS hold their shape well and exhibit low shrinkage and warping, which is crucial for creating interlocking parts and precise electronic enclosures.

Excellent Post-Processing

ABS is very easy to finish. It can be easily sanded, painted, glued, and even chrome plated, allowing for high-fidelity appearance models that look like final products.

Manufacturing with ABS at HyProto

We use ABS across multiple processes to give you maximum flexibility.

CNC Machining ABS

Machining ABS from solid block provides the best representation of a final molded part's strength and accuracy. It's the preferred method for creating robust functional prototypes, test fixtures, and high-precision components where the tolerances of 3D printing are not sufficient.

An industrial fixture machined from a block of plastic, representing machined ABS

ABS Injection Molding

ABS is one of the most common materials used in injection molding for high-volume production. It flows well, has a good surface finish, and is cost-effective. It's the standard for countless consumer products, from keyboard keys to home appliance casings. We offer various grades, including flame-retardant and glass-filled options.

An ABS part with a bright chrome plated finish, achieved through injection molding

FDM 3D Printing with ABS

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a 3D printing process that extrudes a filament of ABS layer by layer. It's a fast and cost-effective way to produce early-stage concept models and simple functional parts. While not as strong or accurate as machined ABS, it's excellent for quickly verifying a design's form and fit.

A quick-release fixture prototype made with FDM 3D printing in raw ABS color

ABS Plastic FAQ

Is ABS resistant to UV light?

Standard ABS has poor resistance to UV light from the sun. With prolonged exposure, it can become brittle and the color can yellow. For outdoor applications, it's recommended to either paint the ABS part or use a more UV-resistant material like ASA.

What is the heat resistance of ABS?

Standard ABS has a heat deflection temperature of around 88°C (190°F). While this is suitable for many consumer products, it is not ideal for applications with continuous high-temperature exposure. High-heat grades of ABS are available for more demanding applications.

Can ABS parts be glued together?

Yes, ABS is very easy to solvent-weld. Solvents like acetone can be used to chemically melt the surfaces, creating a very strong, permanent bond when two parts are pressed together. This is useful for creating large prototypes from smaller, assembled pieces.