As per our Shipping and Returns Policy, custom cuts and fabricated parts are non-returnable. If you need an over- or undersized item, note it under "Comments" during Checkout. Cut-to-size orders have an acceptable cut tolerance of 1/8" (0.125"), so clarify if the adjustment is to be made on the (+) or (-) side of the saw blade.Please review our full return and shipping policy here.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Since custom cuts and fabricated parts are non-refundable, be very careful while measuring your dimensions. As each cut is nominal, even the slightest miscalculation could be costly.
How to Use a Measuring Tape
Extend your tape measure several inches to find the 1 and 2 inch markers. In between the inch markers you’ll find 16 equally spaced tick marks.
Measure by counting the increments beyond the nearest inch. As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. For example, 1/2" has a bigger mark than 1/4" which has a bigger mark than 1/8". The smallest mark follows at 1/16". Please be aware that some measuring tapes may have even smaller increments.
Features of a Measuring Tape: Sliding End Hook
The sliding end hook is designed for two different types of measurements. An outside measurement (where the hook of the tape hangs over an edge), requires the hook to slide out a bit to account for the thickness of the material. When making an inside measurement (where the hook will push up against a surface), the clip slides in, again, accounting for its thickness. The measuring tape self-adjusts to guarantee an accurate measurement (as far as the tape is concerned).
Sanitizing Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sheet [X]
Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sneeze Guards and like products require special care while cleaning and disinfecting. To maintain the optical clarity of sneeze guards and other acrylic or polycarbonate items, use an acrylic or polycarbonate safe cleaner like Novus Plastic Polish #1, Brillianize Plastic Cleaner, or a mild soap solution.
Please reference the following compatible cleaners when DISINFECTING acrylic and polycarbonate items. The use of commonly available commercial alcohol or ammonia-based disinfectants may cause crazing and damage.
Tough, Machinable ABS Plastic for Precision Fabrication
Black Machine Grade ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Sheet is a strong, machinable thermoplastic suited for applications requiring good rigidity, hardness, impact strength, and moderate heat resistance. Produced for a wide range of versatile applications, ABS is valued for its toughness, structural strength, and ease of fabrication.
Machine grade ABS plastic undergoes a dedicated annealing process—gradual heating and cooling—to minimize internal stresses, making it significantly more reliable for precision machining than standard extruded grades. It performs well at low temperatures and maintains its dimensional stability across a wide operating temperature range.
Looking for an alternative for non-machined parts? We also offer Extruded Grade ABS, which is not heat-treated and serves as a more cost-effective option for thermoforming and applications not requiring close tolerances.
Why Choose Machine Grade ABS?
Machine grade ABS is annealed to help reduce internal stresses, improving dimensional stability during machining and making it the superior choice for close-tolerance machined parts. It is the correct choice if you need:
Toughness and Rigidity:
Offers high impact strength and rigid thermoplasticity, allowing it to absorb shock effectively.
Thermal Stability:
Operates under a wide temperature range with low heat conductivity, performing reliably even in cold environments.
High Chemical Resistance:
Resistant to many materials and common chemicals, making it a highly versatile material across diverse environmental conditions.
Dimensional Stability:
Retains its precise shape and tolerances during and after the intensive machining process.
Machine Grade vs. Extruded Grade ABS
While both grades share similar baseline properties, their manufacturing processes make them suited for entirely different applications.
Choose Machine Grade (This Sheet) if you are fabricating parts that require turning, drilling, milling, sawing, or die-cutting. The annealing process prevents warping during heavy machining, making it perfect for automotive interiors, business machines, and protective sports equipment.
Choose Extruded Grade if you are thermoforming or do not require close machining tolerances. It is a highly cost-effective choice for drain-waste vent (DWV) pipe systems, refrigerator panels, and luggage carriers.
Fabrication & Machining
ABS plastic can be processed by any standard thermoplastic processing method and is easily machined. It is an optimal material for turning, drilling, milling, sawing, die-cutting, and shearing. Additionally, ABS can be easily cut with standard at-home power tools and line bent using standard heat strips.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Acrylonitrile, CAS 107-13-1, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Styrene, CAS 100-42-5, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Handling: Cut sheets may have sharp edges. We recommend wearing protective gloves when unpacking and handling this material to ensure safety.
Suitability: We take pride in the quality of our materials as they leave our facility. However, because every project is unique, we cannot account for how materials are modified, stored, or used after delivery. Please perform the necessary tests to ensure this material is right for your specific application and end-use conditions.
ABSBM SH
Technical Performance
This thermoplastic is produced specifically for precision fabrication, offering an exceptional combination of rigidity, hardness, heat resistance, and impact strength for close-tolerance parts.
Compression molded and annealed via gradual heating and cooling to minimize internal stresses, making it ideal for turning, drilling, milling, and die-cutting with reduced risk of stress-related distortion.
Toughness & Rigidity:
Highly regarded for its rigid thermoplasticity and high impact strength, effortlessly absorbing shock in demanding applications.
Thermal Resilience:
Performs well at low temperatures while maintaining stability across a wide operating temperature range due to low heat conductivity.
Key Properties
Dimensional Stability:
Maintains incredibly tight tolerances during and after heavy machining processes, outperforming non-annealed extruded grades.
Chemical & Corrosion Resistance:
Highly resistant to many materials, common chemicals, and corrosive environments, ensuring long-term versatility.
Electrical Insulation:
Offers desirable electrical insulation properties, making it an excellent material choice for housings and electronic components.
Friction & Wear:
Exhibits good abrasion resistance for general-purpose machined components.
Common Industrial Applications
Automotive & Transportation: Car interiors, instrument panels, and specialized custom housings.
Consumer & Industrial Electronics: Business machines, communications equipment, and durable housings for small appliances.
Safety Equipment: Home security devices, camping equipment, and durable protective and recreational equipment components.
Engineering Limitations & Alternatives
While Machine Grade ABS is excellent for precision machined parts, specific project budgets or requirements may necessitate a different approach:
Cost-Effectiveness & Thermoforming: Because machine grade ABS is heat-treated to relieve internal stress, it can cost up to four times as much as standard grades. It is generally over-engineered for basic thermoforming. Better Alternative: For cost-sensitive projects or parts not requiring close machining tolerances (like DWV pipes or luggage carriers), choose Extruded Grade ABS.
Extreme High-Heat Environments: While highly resistant to standard heat variances, ABS is not suited for continuous service in extreme, high-temperature thermal loads. Better Alternative: For applications exposed to extreme continuous heat, consider Polycarbonate, Ultem®, or PTFE (Teflon®).
Heavy Bearing & Sliding Loads: Though it has a low coefficient of friction, ABS is not primarily formulated as a self-lubricating bearing material under heavy static loads. Better Alternative: For heavy-load wear strips and bearing guides, consider UHMW or Acetal (Delrin®).
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Acrylonitrile, CAS 107-13-1, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to 
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Styrene, CAS 100-42-5, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to