The go-to thermoplastic for enclosures and prototypes.
Tough, affordable, and cosmetic-friendly. ABS is the default thermoplastic for consumer product enclosures, prototypes, and interior parts. CNC machined, injection molded, or 3D printed.
At a glance
- Density
- 1.05 g/cc
- Tensile strength
- 42 MPa
- Flexural modulus
- 2.3 GPa
- Elongation
- 20 %
- HDT (0.45 MPa)
- 98 °C
- Tg
- 105 °C
- Impact (notched)
- 210 J/m
- Machinability
- Excellent
Key data
- Density
- 1.05 g/cc
- Tensile strength
- 42 MPa
- Flexural modulus
- 2.3 GPa
- Elongation
- 20 %
- HDT (0.45 MPa)
- 98 °C
- Tg
- 105 °C
- Impact (notched)
- 210 J/m
- Machinability
- Excellent
ABS grades.
Standard ABS
Natural off-white, pigmented black. Impact-resistant, easy to paint and plate. Default for enclosures, prototypes, consumer products.
ABS-FR
Bromine or phosphorus FR package. Required for electrical housings, appliance interiors, and equipment within enclosures.
PC/ABS
Polycarbonate-ABS alloy. 80% of PC impact strength at 60% of the cost. Dashboard panels, mobile device cases, exterior housings.
ABS Medical
Higher-purity ABS approved for short-term skin contact. Medical device housings (non-implant), wearable device shells.
ABS-HH
Modified ABS with HDT 105 °C. Under-hood automotive, dishwasher-safe consumer products.
Plating grade ABS
Butadiene-rich grade with etched surface for optimal chrome adhesion. Automotive grilles, trim, bathroom fixtures.
Standard ABS works for 90% of applications. Specialty grades for heat, flame-retardancy, and automotive exterior.
When ABS is the right call.
Low cost
One of the most affordable engineering thermoplastics. Stock material USD 4–6/kg, roughly 1/15 the cost of PEEK.
Paintable & platable
Accepts any primer and paint system. Plates with chrome, nickel, and copper using standard automotive chrome-plating bath.
Impact strength
Notched Izod impact 210 J/m resists drop testing and misuse. Toughens further in PC/ABS blends.
Easy to process
Machines cleanly with sharp tools, injection molds at 220–260 °C, welds ultrasonically, bonds with cyanoacrylate and MEK.
ABS dominates its niche: consumer-grade cosmetic housings where cost matters and the thermal environment is mild. It is not a high-temperature or structural material.
ABS applications.
Consumer product enclosures
Black or white housings for IoT devices, speakers, remotes
Automotive interior
Dashboard panels (PC/ABS), trim, console components
Power tool housings
Drill and saw body shells — impact resistant
Toys
LEGO bricks are injection molded ABS — impact, color, dimensional stability
Appliance interiors
Refrigerator trays, washing machine interiors, dishwasher components
Medical device shells
Non-implantable device housings, pulse oximeter cases
3D printing
FDM prototyping standard material — cheap, forgiving, easy to machine post-print
Sports equipment
Helmet shells (with PC layer), knee pads, sporting goods
Automotive exterior
Chrome-plated grilles, badges, trim pieces
ABS finishing.
As-machined
Typical Ra 1.6 µm with sharp tools. Visible tool marks normal — paint or vapor-smooth for cosmetic.
Bead blasted
Matte finish, hides tool marks. Common pre-paint prep.
Painted
Accepts virtually any paint system. 2K polyurethane automotive paint most durable.
Chrome plated
Plating grade ABS accepts bright chrome via electroless Ni + acid Cu + decorative Cr bath.
Vapor smoothed
Acetone vapor melts surface smooth — gives injection-molded look on machined parts.
Laser marked
Bond with laser-markable additives. Dark contrast on light ABS, light on dark.
Pad printed
Logo and graphics via pad print or silk screen. Stock on black, white, grey.
Heat staking
ABS heat-stakes well for assembly with PCB and other components.
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The go-to thermoplastic for enclosures and — questions
Why is ABS the most common FDM 3D printing material?
ABS prints reliably with a heated bed, produces strong parts through layer bonding, can be acetone vapor smoothed for cosmetic finish, and sands/paints well for post-processing. It is more heat-tolerant than PLA and cheaper than engineering plastics. We use ABS FDM for prototypes where SLA cosmetic isn't needed.
Can ABS be outdoor UV-exposed?
Not without protection. Standard ABS yellows and embrittles under UV exposure in 6–18 months. For outdoor applications, specify UV-stabilized ABS grade, paint with UV-blocking topcoat, or switch to ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) — an ABS variant with UV-stable acrylic substituted for butadiene.
Is ABS food-safe?
Standard ABS is not FDA food-contact approved by default. Specific grades (ABS-NSF) comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.1010 for food contact. For food or beverage applications, request the NSF-listed grade specifically. Medical-grade ABS (USP Class VI) is also available for skin-contact medical applications.
How does PC/ABS compare to pure ABS?
PC/ABS blend offers ~80% of polycarbonate's impact strength and heat resistance at ~60% of the price. HDT rises from 98°C (ABS) to 110-125°C (PC/ABS). Impact strength and tensile modulus improve substantially. For dashboards, mobile devices, and premium consumer electronics, PC/ABS is the common choice.
Does ABS machine well?
Yes — excellent machinability. Use sharp positive-rake tools, moderate speeds (500 m/min for aluminum carbide), and compressed air cooling (not flood — water absorption can cause dimensional drift). Avoid long-reach end mills without coolant, as ABS softens at 105°C Tg.
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