ABS Plastic - Sheet, Rod, Tube and Accessories

ABS machinable plastic is a tough, rigid thermoplastic material with high impact strength. It is easily machined and ideal for turning, drilling, milling, sawing, die-cutting and shearing.

ABS plastics provide a balanced combination of mechanical toughness, wide temperature range, good dimensional stability, chemical resistance, electrical insulating properties, and ease of fabrication.

ABS is heat resistant and impact resistant even at low temperatures and has high chemical and abrasion-resistance as well as a good dimensional stability.

ABS plastics are easily machined and die cut in thinner gauges. ABS can be cut with standard hand held power tools and line bent with our standard heat strips. ABS can be adhered to itself and other like plastics using weld-on adhesives.

[ABS Extruded Spec Sheet PDF]

[ABS Machine Grade Spec Sheet PDF]

• Easily machinable and fabricated
• Tough and rigid
• Wide operating temperature range
• High impact strength, even at low temperatures
• Low heat conductivity
• Corrosion and abrasion resistant
• Low coefficient of friction
• High chemical resistance
• Good electrical insulation properties
  

ABS plastics are used in thermoforming applications where heat-induced flexibility and physical appearance are preferred. A high-impact resistance in combination with a hardcell-textured surface also makes ABS plastics ideal for consumers who are looking for an attractive faceplate.

ABS plastics come in both machine and extruded grades:

Machine Grade ABS
Machine grade ABS is compression molded, or extruded, and then annealed via gradual heating and cooling to minimize internal malfunctions that tend to be hazardous for machining. Machine grade ABS is available in thickness of 1/4" or 3/8" and can cost up to four times as much as an extruded grade plastic. Applications may include usage in industrial and consumer products.

• Automotive car interiors, instrument panels
• Pipes and fittings
• Business machines
• Communications equipment
• Housings for small appliances
• Home security devices
• Camping equipment
• Sports equipment including football helmets
  

Extruded Grade ABS
Extruded grade ABS is not heat-treated. It is unsuitable for most close tolerance machined parts, where machine grade would be better suited. Extruded grade ABS is available up to 3/8" thickness, and is generally more cost effective than machine grade products.

• Drain-waste vent (DWV) pipe systems
• Kitchen appliances (such as in-home storage bins)
• Panels for refrigerators
• Musical instruments (recorders, plastic clarinets and piano movements)
• Golf club heads (due to good shock absorbency)
• Luggage carriers
• Marine applications
• Orthodontic applications including protective headgear