Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

On top of that, ABS also has an attractive finish. ABS is formed of the below monomers:

• acrylonitrile which causes thermal and chemical resistance,
• butadiene thanks to which ABS has a rubber-like ductility and is resistant to impact,
• styrene assuring the material stiffness and ease of processing. It also reduces costs.

ABS resins usually consist of at least 50% styrene, acrylonitrile and butadiene, both in various proportions. The production of ABS happens in two forms: mass and emulsion. The former consists of the mass polymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of a rubber substrate (polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene elastomer). The emulsion process is more complex. Preparing ABS consists of polymerization butadiene in aqueous emulsion In this process we use radical initiators and emulsifiers. Then comes a grafting step of an emulsion consisting of the polymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile onto the polybutadiene latex elastomer substrate.

ABS producers used to prepare ABS in various grades and colours. Currently, due to the emergence of huge industrial plants and production lines, most ABS is created as:

• standard uncoloured ABS – ABS Standard
• pre-coloured ABS – ABS Specialty.

Various components are made from ABS resin through injection moulding and extrusion. Main applications include the production of automotive parts, household appliances and electronics.