ABS recycled granules

ABS is the material for visible parts. It gives a rigid part with a surface that looks finished with almost no further work, so it is used wherever the part is seen in use.

• housings for electrical and electronic equipment
• interior parts and trim in vehicles
• furniture parts, handles, lids and fascias
• toys and consumer goods that have to survive a drop
• profiles and sheet on extrusion

ABS is also the only material we supply that is routinely painted and electroplated. If the finished part goes on for surface treatment, that alone is a reason to stay on ABS rather than look for a cheaper substitute, because the saving on material is lost again in finishing.

ABS combines properties that are hard to get together in other materials: toughness, stiffness and a surface that looks finished.

• good impact resistance at room temperature
• good dimensional stability and sharp detail on the part
• surface that takes paint, print and electroplating easily
• picks up moisture, so it needs drying before processing
• weaker UV resistance, so outdoor use calls for protection

Exact properties depend on the batch, and with ABS the spread tends to be wider than with PP and HDPE. That is why we tell you what a specific batch carries when we quote it, rather than quoting general figures.