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.
Natural Machine Grade ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Sheet provides a reliable balance of structural strength, hardness, and machinability. This versatile thermoplastic is engineered to withstand moderate heat and impact while maintaining a neutral, unpigmented appearance, making it a widely preferred choice for industrial fabrication.
To ensure reliable precision machining, this natural-grade sheet undergoes a controlled annealing process. This gradual heating and cooling cycle is designed to reduce the risk of internal stress, offering enhanced dimensional stability compared to standard extruded materials and performing consistently across a wide operating temperature range.
Require a solution for basic thermoforming? We also carry White Extruded Grade ABS, a cost-effective alternative for projects that do not require tight machining tolerances.
Why Choose Machine Grade ABS Plastic?
Machine Grade ABS maintains its shape and tolerances during fabrication due to the annealing process. It is the right choice when your application requires:
Consistent Machinability:
Annealed to minimize warping and stress-related distortion during heavy fabrication like milling and tapping.
Impact Resistance:
Combines toughness and rigidity to help absorb shock in machined industrial components.
Broad Thermal Range:
Performs reliably in cold environments and maintains stability through moderate temperature fluctuations.
Chemical Compatibility:
Resists a range of common chemicals and environmental factors, extending the service life of components.
Machine Grade vs. Extruded Grade ABS
While both grades offer similar core properties, their production methods dictate their appropriate use cases.
Choose Machine Grade (This Sheet) for components requiring drilling, tapping, milling, or turning. The stress-relieved composition is typically recommended for structural parts, precision housings, and industrial fixtures.
Choose Extruded Grade when thermoforming or vacuum forming is the primary fabrication method. It is a cost-effective choice for non-precision formed parts such as appliance liners, equipment covers, and general-purpose panels.
Fabrication & Machining
ABS plastic can be processed by standard thermoplastic processing methods and is easily machined. It is a great material for turning, drilling, milling, sawing, die-cutting, and shearing. 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.
ABSNM SH
Technical Performance
This thermoplastic is produced specifically for precision fabrication, offering a reliable 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:
Provides a practical balance of stiffness and impact strength for durable machined parts, housings, and fixtures.
Thermal Performance:
Maintains structural integrity in low-temperature environments and temperatures up to 150°F.
Key Properties
Dimensional Stability:
Annealed to significantly reduce internal stresses, allowing for closer tolerances and reduced warping during complex milling or deep-hole drilling compared to standard grades.
Chemical & Corrosion Resistance:
Provides useful resistance against common chemicals for many general-purpose applications.
Electrical Insulation:
Offers desirable electrical insulation properties, making it an excellent material choice for housings and electronic components.
Surface Finish:
Natural machine grade features a smooth, matte finish on both sides, providing a clean surface for layout and precision work-holding without the interference of textures.
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 & Specialized Housing: Prototype security camera housings, electronic enclosures, and internal components for recreational equipment.
Engineering Limitations & Alternatives
While Machine Grade ABS is optimized for fabrication, environmental factors or budget constraints may require an alternative material:
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 formed parts that do not require close machining tolerances, such as appliance liners, covers, trays, and general-purpose panels, 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 Acetal (up to 180°F), Polycarbonate (up to 270°F), or PTFE (Teflon®).
Outdoor Exposure & UV: Natural ABS is susceptible to UV degradation and may yellow or become brittle when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods. Better Alternative: For outdoor applications, consider UV-resistant ABS or another plastic rated for exterior weathering.
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