What is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a thermoplastic. This means that this type of plastic will respond to heat, so it can be moulded or extruded when heat is applied.
When ABS and other thermoplastics are heated they melt, allowing them to be extruded. This means that they are reusable and can be recycled.
How is it made?
ABS is commonly created through the process of emulsion. This process entails mixing materials which don’t typically combine, forming one product.
As we mentioned before, ABS can be reused and recycled, so a lot of ABS products are made from recycled material, or have a percentage of recycled material in them.
Benefits of using this material
This thermoplastic’s properties mean that is has a wide range of benefits, making it a suitable material for multiple industries and uses.
It has a high melting point and a low glass transition, this means that it can be easily melted and moulded into shapes. Some other benefits of this plastic are:
- Strong Impact Resistance
- High Heat Resistance
- Shock Absorbent
- Scratch Resistant
- Cheaper than Copper (pipe) but more expensive than other plastics.
What is it used for?
ABS is used in a variety of different ways, from industrial applications to everyday use, here are some of the most common uses of ABS:
- Medical Supplies
- Auto Body Parts
- Protective Headgear
- Computer Components
- Phone Components
- Pipe and Fittings
Is it safe to use?
ABS is fairly harmless to humans as there are no known carcinogens in this material and no related health effects have been found from exposure to this plastic. This makes it a safe plastic to use; this is another reason why ABS is so commonly used.
If you are interested in understanding more about this material or you are interested in the process of creating ABS, contact our team.
