ABS Unfilled: General-Purpose Impact-Resistant Engineering Plastic for Consumer Goods
Published: 2026-06-08
ABS is the most widely used engineering thermoplastic — 40 million tons produced annually — balancing good mechanical properties, excellent surface finish, and low cost.
Technical Properties
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 40 MPa |
| Melting Point | N/A (Amorphous) |
| Shrinkage Rate | 0.4-0.7% |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.3 GPa |
| Hdt | 85 °C at 1.82 MPa |
| Continuous Service Temp | 75 °C |
Engineering Tool: Shrinkage & Cost Estimator
Calculate part weight, mold cavity dimensions accounting for shrinkage, and material cost — all locally in your browser.
Equivalents & Cross-References
| Equivalent / Alternate | Action |
|---|---|
| INEOS Styrolution Lustran | |
| Chi Mei Polylac | |
| LG Chem ABS |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are ABS's main limitations?
Poor UV resistance (yellows and embrittles outdoors), low chemical resistance to solvents and fuels, and limited heat resistance (HDT 85°C). For outdoor applications, use ASA (acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile) which has 10x better UV stability. For chemical exposure, upgrade to PC/ABS or PPO/PS.
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References & Industry Standards
- ASTM International. Standard Specifications for Engineering Plastics & Thermoplastics. astm.org
- UL Prospector. Plastics & Elastomers Material Database. ulprospector.com
- MatWeb. Material Property Data for Engineering Thermoplastics. matweb.com
- ISO 1043. Plastics — Symbols and Abbreviated Terms. iso.org