ABS (Accrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is one of the most popular and versatile thermoplastics for CNC machining, renowned for its excellent all around performance. Often referred to as the “workhorse” of engineering plastics, it strikes a perfect balance between strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Its exceptional machinability allows for the production of high-precision, complex prototypes and end-use parts with a superb surface finish, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications across industries.
KEY BENEFITS
ABS isn’t just popular; it’s practical. Its unique combination of properties makes it the go-to material for functional prototypes, enclosures, and consumer-ready parts.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| High Impact Strength & Toughness | ABS offers outstanding resistance to physical impacts and mechanical stress, preventing cracks and fractures even in demanding environments. This makes parts durable and long-lasting. |
| Excellent Machinability | It machines easily with minimal warping, producing clean edges and smooth surfaces. This allows for faster production times, tight tolerances, and complex geometries. |
| Good Structural Rigidity | Parts maintain their shape under load, providing the necessary stiffness for functional components and structural housings without being overly brittle. |
| Superb Surface Finish | ABS can be easily sanded, painted, and glued. It accepts vapor smoothing (acetone treatment) to achieve a high-gloss, injection-molded-like appearance. |
| Cost-Effective | As a widely available material, ABS is economical both in raw material cost and machining time, offering exceptional value without sacrificing performance. |
APPLICATIONS
From concept to consumer product, CNC-machined ABS is trusted to bring designs to life. Here are some of its most common applications.
| Industry/Application | Example Parts |
|---|---|
| Prototyping & Product Development | Functional prototypes, form-and-fit models, ergonomic testing units, and pre-production samples. |
| Electronics Enclosures | Housings for consumer electronics, instrument panels, electrical junction boxes, and charger cases. |
| Automotive Components | Interior trim pieces, dashboard prototypes, ductwork, and custom console components. |
| Consumer Products | Toys (like LEGO bricks), kitchen appliance housings, power tool bodies, and sporting goods. |
| Medical & Laboratory | Non-implantable medical device housings, grips for handheld tools, and brackets for lab equipment. |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Property | Value / Description | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 40 – 50 MPa | ASTM D638 |
| Flexural Strength | 70 – 80 MPa | ASTM D790 |
| Impact Strength (Izod Notched) | 20 – 40 kJ/m² | ASTM D256 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) | 95 – 105 °C @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 |
| Density | 1.05 – 1.07 g/cm³ | ASTM D792 |
| Hardness | 105 – 115 (Rockwell R) | ASTM D785 |
| Flammability Rating | HB (Slow Burning) | UL 94 |
| Machinability | Excellent | – |
| Chemical Resistance | Good resistance to weak acids and bases; poor resistance to aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, and esters. |
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