ABS — cost-effective rigid engineering thermoplastic with good impact resistance and excellent surface finish. Standard for consumer electronics, automotive trim and prototyping.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) per ISO 2580-1 is an amorphous terpolymer combining stiffness (A-S), toughness (B) and processability. Excellent surface finish and electroplatability make it the dominant material for consumer electronics housings, automotive interior trim and appliances. Also the most widely used FDM 3D printing filament material. Continuous service to 80-90 C (unfilled).
| Standard Body | Designation | Country / Region | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO | ABS (ISO 4894) | International | |
| EN | EN ISO 4894 | EU | |
| ASTM | D4673 (ABS) | USA | |
| Trade Names | Terluran (BASF) / Novodur (Lanxess) / Cycolac (SABIC) | Global | |
| Key Grades | ABS standard / ABS heat-resistant / ABS flame-retardant V-0 / ABS+PC blend | Global | |
| UL | 94 HB (standard) / V-0 (FR grade) | USA | |
| FDA | 21 CFR 177.1020 (food contact — limited grades) | USA | |
| JUS | PL-ABS | Yugoslavia | Akrilonitril-butadien-stiren kopolimer |
| RoHS | Compliant | EU | |
| ISO | ABS (ISO 2580) | International | |
| EN | EN ISO 2580 | EU | |
| Trade Names | Cycolac (SABIC) / Novodur (Covestro) / Terluran (BASF) / Magnum (Trinseo) | Global | |
| UL | 94 V-0 (FR grades); HB standard | USA | |
| FDA | 21 CFR 177.1020 (food contact -- selected grades) | USA |
| # | Standard Body | Designation | Country / Region | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ISO | ABS (ISO 4894) | International | — |
| 2 | EN | EN ISO 4894 | EU | — |
| 3 | ASTM | D4673 (ABS) | USA | — |
| 4 | Trade Names | Terluran (BASF) / Novodur (Lanxess) / Cycolac (SABIC) | Global | — |
| 5 | Key Grades | ABS standard / ABS heat-resistant / ABS flame-retardant V-0 / ABS+PC blend | Global | — |
| 6 | UL | 94 HB (standard) / V-0 (FR grade) | USA | — |
| 7 | FDA | 21 CFR 177.1020 (food contact — limited grades) | USA | — |
| 8 | JUS | PL-ABS | Yugoslavia | Akrilonitril-butadien-stiren kopolimer |
| 9 | RoHS | Compliant | EU | — |
| 10 | ISO | ABS (ISO 2580) | International | — |
| 11 | EN | EN ISO 2580 | EU | — |
| 12 | Trade Names | Cycolac (SABIC) / Novodur (Covestro) / Terluran (BASF) / Magnum (Trinseo) | Global | — |
| 13 | UL | 94 V-0 (FR grades); HB standard | USA | — |
| 14 | FDA | 21 CFR 177.1020 (food contact -- selected grades) | USA | — |
| Element | Symbol | Min % | Max % | Typical % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (AN+B+S terpolymer) | C | — | — | 70.0000 |
| Hydrogen | H | — | — | 7.5000 |
| Nitrogen (acrylonitrile) | N | — | — | 5.5000 |
| Oxygen | O | — | — | 17.0000 |
| Water absorption (eq. 50% RH) | H2O | — | 0.3000 | — |
| Condition | Code | Rm min MPa | Rm max MPa |
Re min MPa | Re max MPa |
A₅ min % |
Z % |
KV J |
HB min | HB max | HRC min | HRC max | E GPa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS standard (medium impact) | STD | 38 | 55 | 35 | 50 | 5.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.3 |
| ABS high impact | HI | 35 | 48 | 30 | 44 | 15.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.0 |
| ABS heat-resistant (HDT 100C) | HR | 40 | 58 | 38 | 52 | 5.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.5 |
| Coolant | Dry cutting; light MQL; water-based coolant acceptable but may affect surface |
| Chip Formation | Good short chips; clean machining; excellent chip control |
| Tool Material | Carbide K10; HSS M2 acceptable; sharp tools |
| Surface Finish | Ra 0.2-1.6 um — excellent surface finish achievable |