Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Polymers

The acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene ratios along with two other factors are important in determining the properties of ABS polymers. First, it is not a homogeneous mixture and consists of a dispersed phase. Second, the dispersed phase always consists of both rubber and occlusions of the SAN matrix within the rubber. Its outstanding material qualities made ABS become one of the most popular plastics materials and an essential element in everyday life. Here are some general properties listed below of the ABS polymers…

• Flexible design
• Excellent surface quality
• Brilliant and deep colors
• Attractive feel and touch
• Dimensional stability
• Chemical resistance
• Impact resistance

Thus, changing the proportions of its components ABS can be prepared in different grades. Two major categories could be ABS for extrusion and ABS for injection moldings, then high and medium impact resistance. Generally ABS would have useful characteristics within a temperature range from −20 to 80 °C (−4 to 176 °F).

Property/Units	ABS	High Impact ABS
Glass Transition Temp. Tg, oF	250	200
Processing Temp, oF	400	350
Co-efficient of Thermal Expansion, ppm/oK	70-90	-
Molding Pressure, 103 lb./in2	15	15
Compressive Strength, 103 lb./in2	6	5
Heat Deflection Temp, oC	105-121	94-104
Tensile Strength, 103 lb./in2	5	5
Percent Elongation	10	20
Density, g/cm3	1.05-1.07	-
Tensile Modulus	350	200
Specific Gravity	1.2	1
Percent H2O Absorption	0.3	0.3
Hardness	88-110	80-83
Resistance	Good resistance from acidic and alkaline solutions but severely attacked by polar solvents.