Xiamen LFT-G ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene long glass fiber reinforced for industrial use

What is ABS?

1. ABS plastic is a thermoplastic polymer structural material, mainly through propylene, butadiene and other chemical substances synthetic polymer material, also known as ABS resin, because of its good heat resistance, impact resistance, processing, so the use of a wide range.

2. Because ABS plastic is very hard, it has strong impact resistance, scratch resistance, dimensional stability and other properties, and has the characteristics of moisture, corrosion resistance, easy processing, etc., it is an ideal material.

3. ABS material also has good light transmission, compared with the same transparency of acrylic, although it has better toughness, the price is relatively high, and the color is not more than the color of acrylic, generally beige, black, transparent three colors.

4. ABS material is also very environmentally friendly, due to the use of environmentally friendly chemicals, so non-toxic and odorless, but also with electrical insulation, is a very safe material.

5. ABS material is easy to deform in a high temperature environment, and the deformation temperature is 93-118 degrees Celsius, but it performs very well in a low temperature environment, so it is also a high temperature resistant material.

What Are the Advantages of ABS Plastics?

ABS has some major advantages as a general-purpose engineering material. Below is a brief list of some of ABS plastic's advantages:

ABS is inexpensive and plentiful, coming in many colors, material characteristics, and forms (pellets, tubes, bar, filament, etc.).

ABS is sturdy, lightweight, and ductile, being easily machined but retaining good resistance to chemicals, impacts, and abrasions.

ABS is more heat-resistant than other thermoplastics in its weight class and can withstand multiple cycles of heating/cooling, making it a fully recyclable plastic.

ABS can achieve a highly attractive finish and is readily paintable.

ABS has low heat and electrical conductivity.

Compared with PLA

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) was first patented in 1948 and commercialized in 1954 by the Borg-Warner Corporation. It is an amorphous thermoplastic polymer where the molecular structure is disordered. ABS is commonly manufactured via the polymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile. ABS is a tougher plastic than PLA. It can be used for applications that require significant strength and impact resistance.

The Advantages of ABS Compared to PLA?

1. ABS has a higher glass transition temperature than PLA.
2. ABS is generally tougher than PLA. It can withstand impact loads and has better abrasion resistance. 

PLA vs. ABS: Applications Comparison

PLA is not widely used for typical consumer and industrial applications. It is mostly used for 3D printing in hobbyist applications or prototyping but has found some applications in the biomedical industry. ABS, on the other hand, is used as an engineering plastic across almost every industry. It is preferred for applications requiring toughness and impact resistance.

PLA vs. ABS: Part Accuracy Comparison

PLA is a very easy material to 3D print and it produces parts that are dimensionally stable. ABS, on the other hand, tends to warp easily during printing.

PLA vs. ABS: Speed Comparison

Both PLA and ABS can print at rates from 45 to 60 mm/s. 

PLA vs. ABS: Surface Comparison

3D-printed PLA and ABS have the common FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) surface finish with visible layer lines. However, ABS can be vapor smoothed with solvents like acetone while PLA must be hand sanded for optimal surface finish. The vapor smoothing process melts the surface, giving it a smooth and homogeneous finish.

PLA vs. ABS: Heat Resistance Comparison

PLA has poor heat resistance when compared to ABS. PLA will begin to soften at 60 °C whereas ABS does not begin to soften until 105 °C. 

PLA vs. ABS: Biodegradability Comparison

PLA is a bioplastic and biodegradable under the correct conditions. Unfortunately, these conditions are only present in industrial composting facilities. The required conditions include high temperatures and exposure to specific microbial environments. PLA can take up to 80 years to fully decompose in nature. ABS, on the other hand, is not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to fully decompose. 

PLA vs. ABS: Toxicity Comparison

PLA is generally recognized as safe and non-toxic after printing. During printing, PLA releases VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). As such, it is not recommended to print PLA in an unventilated area. However, these VOCs are low in concentration and ventilation is just an added precaution. ABS contains no known carcinogens and has no adverse health effects once printed. However, ABS also releases dangerous VOCs and nanoparticles (UPFs) during printing, far more than is the case with PLA. As such, it is advised to cover printers with a hood and to utilize a ventilation duct.

PLA vs. ABS: Cost Comparison

PLA and ABS are among the lowest-cost materials used in 3D printing. Both can be purchased for around $20 per 1 kg spool. ABS can be slightly more expensive than PLA, but the difference is usually insignificant.