ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer)

ABS can be assigned to the group of styrene polymers as well as bulk plastics. The plastic therefore belongs to the family of other well-known engineering plastics such as polyolefins (e.g. PP and PE) or polyvinyl chlorides (PVC).

ABS is composed of the substances styrene, butadiene and acrylonitrile contained in the name. Depending on the composition or mixing ratio, different ABS plastics are produced, which differ in their mechanical properties:

• Acrylonitrile gives the plastic high heat resistance and chemical resistance.
• Butadiene ensures flexibility and impact resistance.
• Styrene provides a smooth surface and improves machinability.

By nature, ABS plastic has a special property: due to its polarity, it has an excellent surface for subsequent coating, which lasts much longer than on other plastics such as PS. This results in numerous application possibilities and great potential for aesthetic changes, such as chrome-plated surfaces for housings.

Depending on the manufacturing process, parts made from ABS have different surface finishes. For example, very matt to rough surfaces are obtained with parts produced using CNC processes. These can be smoothed as required. However, rough impurities can already be avoided during production by choosing the right cutting tool and optimally setting the cutting parameters. In addition, the choice of ABS is also decisive for the success of a high surface quality. ABS is available in various compositions and qualities, tailored to the respective production process. With injection molding, you can generally expect smoother surfaces than with CNC. This is largely due to the already optimized injection mould into which the ABS is injected. In order to achieve high surface qualities, the correct heat supply is particularly important to prevent warping and overheating.

ABS parts are often additionally coated with finishes, particularly for decorative purposes. A metallic finish by chrome plating is particularly suitable here. Electroplating is used to bond the metal to the plastic so that a thin, shiny layer develops on the surface. These coatings are particularly used in the automotive industry, where the coated parts are used for dashboards, for example. Other typical applications for these chrome-plated ABS parts in everyday life include garbage can lids, shower heads, exterior mirrors and towel rails.

ABS can be processed by various methods, including:

• Injection molding: The most common process for the mass production of ABS parts, especially for complex shapes. The injection molding process is usually carried out at temperatures of 200 to 240°C, for more heat-resistant types also at 240 to 280°C, while the temperature of the tool is heated up to 85°C. The injection molding pressure is in the range of 800 to 1800 bar and the processing shrinkage is approx. 0.4 to 0.8%.


• Extrusion: Used to process ABS in the form of rods, tubes and sheets. The temperatures during extrusion are usually between 180 and 230°C.


• Blow molding: For the manufacture of hollow products such as bottles and tanks.


• 3D-Printing: ABS is a popular material in fused filament fabrication (FFF) and fused deposition modeling (FDM), which are widely used 3D printing processes. Products made from ABS using 3D printing are particularly suitable for prototyping or small series. In addition to ABS, PLA can also be used as a plastic here.

The versatility in processing enables a wide range of product designs and application possibilities.

ABS is omnipresent in our everyday lives. Examples of this are

• Housing of electronic devices: Smartphones, remote controls and computer housings benefit from the stability and aesthetic appearance of ABS.
• Household appliances: Coffee machines, vacuum cleaners and other appliances use ABS due to its durability and dimensional stability.
• Toys: Well-known brands such as LEGO use ABS because of its safe, stable and color-fast properties.

In the automotive industry, ABS is widely used in:

• Interior panels: Dashboards, door panels and consoles are often made of ABS.
• Electronic components: Fuses, switch housings and control units benefit from the robust properties of ABS.
• Body parts: Bumpers and other exterior components utilize the impact resistance and dimensional stability of ABS.

ABS is a preferred material for:

• Consumer electronics housings: Televisions, radios and computer housings benefit from the good electrical insulation and heat resistance.
• Electrical appliances: Domestic and industrial electrical appliances use ABS for durable and safe housings.

ABS is one of the most popular materials in the field of 3D printing:

• Prototype development: Due to its good mechanical properties and ease of processing, ABS is ideal for creating prototypes.
• End consumer products: Small batches and individual products can be manufactured efficiently with ABS.
• Functional parts: ABS is suitable for the manufacture of parts that have to withstand mechanical loads.

ABS competes with other widely used plastics such as polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP). A comparison shows:

• ABS vs. polycarbonate (PC): PC offers higher impact strength and temperature resistance, but is more expensive. ABS, on the other hand, offers better machinability and is less expensive.
• ABS vs. polypropylene (PP): PP is lighter and has better chemical resistance, while ABS offers higher mechanical strength and better surface quality.