Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS
C23H23N (smallest repeat unit as listed by NASA) · CAS 9003-56-9
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is an amorphous styrenic terpolymer.
Evidence level
5 of 5
Flown or field-proven
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Tough at room temperature
23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched
Stiff enough for housings
2200 MPa flexural modulus
Survive in orbit
1.09e-24 cm3/atom
Recipe, share of the weight
- C8H8 not statedStyrene
- C3H3N not statedAcrylonitrile
- C4H6 not statedButadiene
Best for
Impact-tough moulded parts: 23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched impact at 23 °C in SABIC MG94F, with 2200 MPa flexural modulus in Chimei PA-757F
Weakest at
Heat and atomic oxygen: heat deflection of 80 °C at 1.8 MPa for SABIC MG94F, and an erosion yield of 1.09e-24 cm3/atom in low Earth orbit
Risk at a glance
- People Low. Monomers classified; polymer not checked
- If it fails Moderate. Atomic oxygen erosion in low Earth orbit
- Corrosion Moderate. UV and heat make ABS yellow and become brittle.
Quick facts: ABS
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.04 to 1.05 g/cm³ | 2 sourced values across conditions |
What is the density of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)?
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) has a density of 1.04 to 1.05 g/cm³. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Polymer sample on a space flight experiment; Enclosures for electrical and electronic assemblies, computer cases, pen housings and small kitchen appliances; LEGO bricks.
Why it exists
ABS is an amorphous styrenic terpolymer that is tough and easy to mould. The SABIC MG94F grade has a density of 1.04 g/cm3, a notched Charpy impact strength of 23 kJ/m2 at 23 °C, and a Vicat softening point of 99 °C. The Chimei PA-757F grade has a density of 1.05 g/cm3 and a flexural modulus of 2200 MPa.
Where it's used
Electronics and housings
Wikipedia lists enclosures for electrical and electronic assemblies, computer cases and pen housings among ABS uses.
LEGO bricks
Lego bricks have primarily been made from ABS since 1963 (Wikipedia).
3D printing (ground)
ABS is a common 3D printer filament. Wikipedia says it warps on cooling and needs an enclosure. This is ground manufacturing, not a flight use.
Recipe
C23H23N (smallest repeat unit as listed by NASA)
ABS is a terpolymer made by polymerising styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene (Wikipedia). The polybutadiene forms a long rubbery chain, crisscrossed with shorter chains of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile). The emulsion or mass route is not stated in the page read.
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Styrene C8H8 | not stated | Gives a shiny, impervious surface, hardness, rigidity and easier processing (Wikipedia). |
| Acrylonitrile C3H3N | not stated | Adds chemical resistance, fatigue resistance, hardness and rigidity, and raises the heat deflection temperature (Wikipedia). |
| Butadiene C4H6 | not stated | Rubbery polybutadiene phase that gives toughness and impact resistance (Wikipedia). |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Tough at room temperature
23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched
SABIC MG94F has a notched Charpy impact strength of 23 kJ/m2 at 23 °C and a notched Izod impact strength of 18 kJ/m2 at 23 °C, both as printed on the aggregator page.
Stiff enough for housings
2200 MPa flexural modulus
Chimei PA-757F has a flexural modulus of 2200 MPa at 2 mm/min and a tensile yield stress of 47 MPa at 50 mm/min.
Survive in orbit
1.09e-24 cm3/atom
measured
NASA lists an erosion yield of 1.09e-24 cm3/atom for ABS on MISSE 2, from Table I.
How it compares
The four grades are from two manufacturers and are read from aggregator pages, so the values are typical and not comparable to a specification. Read the table rows as examples of grade behaviour, not as a ranking.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | ABS | PS |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal behavior and safety | ||
| Heat deflection temperature, 1.8 MPa, SABIC MG94FISO 75/Ae, as printed on the aggregator page | 80 °C4 | 86 °C |
| Heat deflection temperature, 0.45 MPa, SABIC MG94FISO 75/Be, as printed on the aggregator page | 91 °C5 | 86 °C |
| Deflection temperature under load, 1.8 MPa, annealed, Chimei PA-757FISO 75/A, as printed on the aggregator page | 98 °C6 | 86 °C |
| Lifetime and stability | ||
| Melt volume rate, SABIC MG94FISO 1133, as printed on the aggregator page | 39 cm³/10 min2 | no data |
| Physical and electrical | ||
| Density, SABIC MG94FISO 1183, as printed on the aggregator page | 1.04 g/cm³ | 1048 kg/m3 |
| Density, Chimei PA-757FISO 1183, as printed on the aggregator page | 1.05 g/cm³ | 1048 kg/m3 |
| Temperature behavior | ||
| Vicat softening point, SABIC MG94FISO 306, as printed on the aggregator page | 99 °C | no data |
| Other measurements | ||
| Melt flow rate, SABIC MG94FISO 1133, as printed on the aggregator page | 12 g/10 min1 | 7.5 g/10 min |
| Tensile modulus, SABIC MG94FISO 527, as printed on the aggregator page | 2400 MPa | no data |
| Tensile strength at yield, SABIC MG94FISO 527, as printed on the aggregator page | 45 MPa | no data |
| Charpy impact strength, notched, SABIC MG94FISO 179/1eA, as printed on the aggregator page | 23 kJ/m23 | no data |
| Izod impact strength, notched, SABIC MG94FISO 180/1A, as printed on the aggregator page | 18 kJ/m2 | no data |
| Flexural modulus, Chimei PA-757FISO 178, as printed on the aggregator page | 2200 MPa | 33000 kg/cm² |
| Tensile yield stress, Chimei PA-757FISO 527, as printed on the aggregator page | 47 MPa | no data |
| Melt flow rate, Chimei PA-737ISO 1133, as printed on the aggregator page | 30.2 g/10 min7 | 7.5 g/10 min |
| Melt flow rate, Chimei PA-727ISO 1133, as printed on the aggregator page | 20 g/10 min8 | 7.5 g/10 min |
| Atomic oxygen erosion yield, ABS (MISSE 2) | 1.09×10^-24 cm³/atom9 | 3.74×10^-24 cm³/atom |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Impact-tough moulded parts: 23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched impact at 23 °C in SABIC MG94F.
- Stiff moulded parts: 2200 MPa flexural modulus in Chimei PA-757F.
- Known atomic oxygen behaviour: 1.09e-24 cm3/atom on MISSE 2, measured in low Earth orbit.
Watch out for
- Heat: the heat deflection is 80 °C at 1.8 MPa for SABIC MG94F, so ABS softens well below 99 °C Vicat under load.
- Atomic oxygen erodes ABS at 1.09e-24 cm3/atom, so exterior use needs protection or an erosion allowance.
- No outgassing, UV or radiation test for ABS in space was found, so only the erosion yield is recorded.
- The grade values come from aggregator pages, and the SABIC datasheet is gated behind login.
ABS is a tough styrenic terpolymer: 23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched impact in SABIC MG94F, density 1.04 to 1.05 g/cm3, and heat deflection of 80 to 98 °C under load. Its weak points are UV yellowing, heat and solvents. The MISSE 2 erosion yield in low Earth orbit is 1.09e-24 cm3/atom. The monomers are classified (acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, styrene), but the polymer has no sourced SDS, outgassing or quantitative UV data.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melt flow rate, SABIC MG94F | — | temperature 220 °Cload 5.0 kggrade MG94F | — |
| 2 | Melt volume rate, SABIC MG94F | — | temperature 220 °Cload 10.0 kggrade MG94F | — |
| 3 | Charpy impact strength, notched, SABIC MG94F | — | grade MG94Ftemperature 23 °Cnotch V-notch, ISO 179/1eA | — |
| 4 | Heat deflection temperature, 1.8 MPa, SABIC MG94F | — | grade MG94Fload 1.8 MPamethod as printed ISO 75/Ae | — |
| 5 | Heat deflection temperature, 0.45 MPa, SABIC MG94F | — | grade MG94Fload 0.45 MPamethod as printed ISO 75/Be | — |
| 6 | Deflection temperature under load, 1.8 MPa, annealed, Chimei PA-757F | — | grade PA-757Fload 1.8 MPaannealing annealed | — |
| 7 | Melt flow rate, Chimei PA-737 | — | temperature 220 °Cload 10 kggrade PA-737 | — |
| 8 | Melt flow rate, Chimei PA-727 | — | temperature 220 °Cload 10 kggrade PA-727 | — |
| 9 | Atomic oxygen erosion yield, ABS (MISSE 2) | Measured on MISSE 2 flight samples and listed in NASA TM-2008-215490, Table I | platform ISS, MISSE 2 PEC 2 tray 1, low Earth orbitfluence 8.43e21 atoms/cm2duration 3.95 years | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| UV light and excessive heat in service | moderate | UV and heat make ABS yellow and become brittle.1 |
| Heat up to 400 C | moderate | At 400 C ABS decomposes into its monomers.2 |
| Chlorinated solvents, alcohols and ketones | moderate | ABS has poor resistance to chlorinated solvents and alcohols.3 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UV light and excessive heat in service | Wikipedia says ABS yellows on exposure to UV light or excessive heat, because photo-oxidation breaks polymer chains. Ageing depends largely on the polybutadiene content, and antioxidants and UV protection additives are normally included. | basis general description; no test duration, dose or quantitative colour change was read |
| 2 | Heat up to 400 C | Wikipedia says ABS is stable to decomposition under normal use and processing, but if the temperature reaches 400 C it decomposes into butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. The grades read have heat deflection temperatures of 80 to 98 C under load (see properties). | basis decomposition temperature as printed; no exposure time given |
| 3 | Chlorinated solvents, alcohols and ketones | Wikipedia says ABS has poor resistance to chlorinated solvents and alcohols, and names ketones (such as acetone), chloroform and ethylene dichloride in its solvent passage. The chemical resistance table gives concentrated acids as Good, dilute acids and alkali as Excellent, and alcohol as Poor. | basis general table and text; no immersion time or test standard read |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
The monomers are classified in PubChem (ECHA aggregate). No SDS for the ABS polymer was read in this run.
- Classification
- Acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene and styrene are classified (PubChem). The polymer itself has no SDS in this run.
If it fails
The failure routes in these sources are heat under load and erosion in orbit.
- Heat
- The SABIC MG94F heat deflection is 80 °C at 1.8 MPa, and the Chimei PA-757F is 98 °C annealed.
- Atomic oxygen
- On MISSE 2 the erosion yield was 1.09e-24 cm3/atom for ABS, from one flight sample.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Atomic oxygen erosion in low Earth orbitmoderate severity | Exposure of an ABS part to atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, as on the MISSE 2 flightSurface erosion at a yield of 1.09e-24 cm3/atom as measured on MISSE 2 for ABS |
| Softening under loadmoderate severity | Use of ABS under load above its heat deflection temperatureHeat deflection of 80 °C at 1.8 MPa for SABIC MG94F, and 98 °C annealed for Chimei PA-757F |
| Fire and burningmoderate severity | ABS exposed to high temperatures, such as a wood fireABS melts, boils and burns with intense hot flames. Pure ABS has no halogens, and its most toxic combustion products are carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide (Wikipedia). |
| Yellowing and embrittlement by UV or heatmoderate severity | UV light or excessive heat over the service lifePhoto-oxidation breaks polymer chains, so the part yellows and becomes brittle (Wikipedia). |
| Attack by chlorinated solvents and alcoholslow severity | Contact with chlorinated solvents or alcoholsPoor resistance to both, per Wikipedia; the chemical resistance table gives alcohol as Poor. |
Handling and storage
- ABS shrinks on cooling and warps when printed on a 3D printer. Print inside an enclosure on a heated bed, with glue stick or a brim (Wikipedia).
- Concerns have been raised about airborne ultrafine particles from 3D printing with ABS (Wikipedia).
- ABS can be recycled, but not every recycling facility accepts it (Wikipedia).
Mitigations
- Use antioxidants and UV protection for parts in outdoor or hot service, as the composition normally includes them (Wikipedia).
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Acrylonitrile (monomer)
World production capacity was estimated at 5 million tonnes per year in 2002 (Wikipedia). The figure is a 2002 estimate, not a current volume.
Styrene (monomer)
About 25 million tonnes were produced in 2010, rising to around 35 million tonnes by 2018 (Wikipedia). This is the global figure for styrene, not ABS alone.
1,3-Butadiene (monomer)
A petroleum hydrocarbon from the C4 fraction of steam cracking (Wikipedia). PubChem says about 75 % of manufactured butadiene is used for synthetic rubber.
ABS resin, European production energy
Producing 1 kg of ABS in Europe uses an average of 95.34 MJ, derived from natural gas and petroleum (PlasticsEurope, cited by Wikipedia).
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
Show the full YAML
spore: profile
id: abs
spore_version: 0.2
family: engineering-polymers
name: "Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene"
abbreviation: ABS
role: "tough thermoplastic for housings, moulded parts and bodywork"
category: polymers
type: styrenics
summary: >
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is an amorphous styrenic terpolymer. Four grades were read for this profile: SABIC MG94F (ABS, density 1.04 g/cm3, MFR 12 g/10 min at 220 °C/5.0 kg), Chimei Polylac PA-757F (density 1.05 g/cm3, HDT 98 °C annealed) and two further Chimei grades PA-727 and PA-737. As a sample on the MISSE 2 experiment in low Earth orbit it had an atomic oxygen erosion yield of 1.09e-24 cm3/atom (NASA TM-2008-215490, Table I).
best_for: "Impact-tough moulded parts: 23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched impact at 23 °C in SABIC MG94F, with 2200 MPa flexural modulus in Chimei PA-757F"
weakest_at: "Heat and atomic oxygen: heat deflection of 80 °C at 1.8 MPa for SABIC MG94F, and an erosion yield of 1.09e-24 cm3/atom in low Earth orbit"
identity:
name_as_printed: "Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene"
formula: "C23H23N (smallest repeat unit as listed by NASA)"
cas: "9003-56-9"
source: nasa-tm-2008-215490
where: "Table IV, column Formula"
tags:
environments: [low-earth-orbit]
stresses: [atomic-oxygen, uv, total-radiation-dose, thermal-cycling, vacuum-and-outgassing]
applications: [electronics-and-chips]
properties:
- benchmark: density
label: Density, SABIC MG94F
value: 1.04
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "MG94F, CYCOLAC resin", temperature: "not stated on the page"}
method: "ISO 1183, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Density row"
- benchmark: melt_flow_rate
label: Melt flow rate, SABIC MG94F
value: 12
unit: g/10 min
scope: material
conditions: {temperature: "220 °C", load: "5.0 kg", grade: "MG94F"}
method: "ISO 1133, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Melt flow rate row, ISO 1133 220 °C/5.0 kg"
- benchmark: melt_volume_rate
label: Melt volume rate, SABIC MG94F
value: 39
unit: cm3/10 min
scope: material
conditions: {temperature: "220 °C", load: "10.0 kg", grade: "MG94F"}
method: "ISO 1133, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Melt volume rate row"
- benchmark: tensile_modulus
label: Tensile modulus, SABIC MG94F
value: 2400
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "MG94F", speed: "1 mm/min"}
method: "ISO 527, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Tensile modulus row"
- benchmark: tensile_yield_strength
label: Tensile strength at yield, SABIC MG94F
value: 45
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "MG94F", speed: "50 mm/min"}
method: "ISO 527, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Tensile strength yield row, 50 mm/min"
- benchmark: charpy_impact_notched
label: Charpy impact strength, notched, SABIC MG94F
value: 23
unit: kJ/m2
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "MG94F", temperature: "23 °C", notch: "V-notch, ISO 179/1eA"}
method: "ISO 179/1eA, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Charpy impact strength row, 23 °C"
- benchmark: izod_impact_notched
label: Izod impact strength, notched, SABIC MG94F
value: 18
unit: kJ/m2
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "MG94F", temperature: "23 °C"}
method: "ISO 180/1A, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Izod impact strength notched row, +23 °C"
- benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
label: Vicat softening point, SABIC MG94F
value: 99
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "MG94F", rate: "Rate B/50"}
method: "ISO 306, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Vicat softening point row, Rate B/50"
- benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
label: Heat deflection temperature, 1.8 MPa, SABIC MG94F
value: 80
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "MG94F", load: "1.8 MPa", method_as_printed: "ISO 75/Ae"}
method: "ISO 75/Ae, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Heat deflection temperature (HDT/Ae) row"
- benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
label: Heat deflection temperature, 0.45 MPa, SABIC MG94F
value: 91
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "MG94F", load: "0.45 MPa", method_as_printed: "ISO 75/Be"}
method: "ISO 75/Be, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, Heat deflection temperature (HDT/Be) row"
- benchmark: density
label: Density, Chimei PA-757F
value: 1.05
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "PA-757F, Polylac", temperature: "23 °C"}
method: "ISO 1183, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: chimei-pa-757f
where: "Property table, Density row"
- benchmark: flexural_modulus
label: Flexural modulus, Chimei PA-757F
value: 2200
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "PA-757F", speed: "2 mm/min"}
method: "ISO 178, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: chimei-pa-757f
where: "Property table, Flexural modulus row"
- benchmark: tensile_yield_strength
label: Tensile yield stress, Chimei PA-757F
value: 47
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "PA-757F", speed: "50 mm/min"}
method: "ISO 527, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: chimei-pa-757f
where: "Property table, Tensile yield stress row"
- benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
label: Deflection temperature under load, 1.8 MPa, annealed, Chimei PA-757F
value: 98
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions: {grade: "PA-757F", load: "1.8 MPa", annealing: "annealed"}
method: "ISO 75/A, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: chimei-pa-757f
where: "Property table, Deflection temperature under load row, annealed"
- benchmark: melt_flow_rate
label: Melt flow rate, Chimei PA-737
value: 30.2
unit: g/10 min
scope: material
conditions: {temperature: "220 °C", load: "10 kg", grade: "PA-737"}
method: "ISO 1133, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: chimei-pa-737
where: "Property table, MFR row"
- benchmark: melt_flow_rate
label: Melt flow rate, Chimei PA-727
value: 20
unit: g/10 min
scope: material
conditions: {temperature: "220 °C", load: "10 kg", grade: "PA-727"}
method: "ISO 1133, as printed on the aggregator page"
status: ground
source: chimei-pa-727
where: "Property table, MFR row"
- benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
label: Atomic oxygen erosion yield, ABS (MISSE 2)
value: 1.09e-24
unit: cm3/atom
scope: material
conditions: {platform: "ISS, MISSE 2 PEC 2 tray 1, low Earth orbit", fluence: "8.43e21 atoms/cm2", duration: "3.95 years"}
method: "Measured on MISSE 2 flight samples and listed in NASA TM-2008-215490, Table I"
status: flight
source: nasa-tm-2008-215490
where: "Table I (MISSE 2 PEACE polymers erosion yield data), row ABS"
corrosion:
- environment: "UV light and excessive heat in service"
headline: "UV and heat make ABS yellow and become brittle."
effect: "Wikipedia says ABS yellows on exposure to UV light or excessive heat, because photo-oxidation breaks polymer chains. Ageing depends largely on the polybutadiene content, and antioxidants and UV protection additives are normally included."
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: "general description; no test duration, dose or quantitative colour change was read"
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Aging paragraph and yellowing text"
- environment: "Heat up to 400 C"
headline: "At 400 C ABS decomposes into its monomers."
effect: "Wikipedia says ABS is stable to decomposition under normal use and processing, but if the temperature reaches 400 C it decomposes into butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. The grades read have heat deflection temperatures of 80 to 98 C under load (see properties)."
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: "decomposition temperature as printed; no exposure time given"
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Hazard to humans section"
- environment: "Chlorinated solvents, alcohols and ketones"
headline: "ABS has poor resistance to chlorinated solvents and alcohols."
effect: "Wikipedia says ABS has poor resistance to chlorinated solvents and alcohols, and names ketones (such as acetone), chloroform and ethylene dichloride in its solvent passage. The chemical resistance table gives concentrated acids as Good, dilute acids and alkali as Excellent, and alcohol as Poor."
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: "general table and text; no immersion time or test standard read"
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Chemical resistance table and solvent paragraph"
risks:
hazards:
- text: "Acrylonitrile (monomer, PubChem CID 7855), ECHA aggregate: highly flammable liquid and vapour (H225), toxic if swallowed (H301), toxic in contact with skin (H311), causes skin irritation (H315), may cause an allergic skin reaction (H317), causes serious eye damage (H318)."
ghs: [H225, H301, H311, H315, H317, H318]
source: pubchem-acrylonitrile
where: "PubChem CID 7855, GHS Classification (ECHA C&L aggregate, first hazard block)"
- text: "1,3-Butadiene (monomer, PubChem CID 7845), ECHA aggregate: extremely flammable gas (H220), contains gas under pressure (H280), may cause genetic defects (H340), may cause cancer (H350), suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (H361)."
ghs: [H220, H280, H340, H350, H361]
source: pubchem-butadiene
where: "PubChem CID 7845, GHS Classification (ECHA C&L aggregate)"
- text: "Styrene (monomer, PubChem CID 7501), ECHA aggregate: flammable liquid and vapour (H226), causes skin irritation (H315), causes serious eye irritation (H319), harmful if inhaled (H332), causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (H372)."
ghs: [H226, H315, H319, H332, H372]
source: pubchem-styrene
where: "PubChem CID 7501, GHS Classification (ECHA C&L aggregate, first hazard block)"
- text: "Wikipedia says the polymer is stable under normal use and processing, but at 400 C it can decompose into butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene. Exposure during normal use is well below workplace limits, per the same page."
ghs: []
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Hazard to humans section"
failure_risks:
- mode: "Atomic oxygen erosion in low Earth orbit"
trigger: "Exposure of an ABS part to atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, as on the MISSE 2 flight"
consequence: "Surface erosion at a yield of 1.09e-24 cm3/atom as measured on MISSE 2 for ABS"
severity: moderate
source: nasa-tm-2008-215490
where: "Table I and exposure details in section 2.1"
- mode: "Softening under load"
trigger: "Use of ABS under load above its heat deflection temperature"
consequence: "Heat deflection of 80 °C at 1.8 MPa for SABIC MG94F, and 98 °C annealed for Chimei PA-757F"
severity: moderate
source: sabic-mg94f
where: "Property table, HDT/Ae row and HDT/Be row"
- mode: "Fire and burning"
trigger: "ABS exposed to high temperatures, such as a wood fire"
consequence: "ABS melts, boils and burns with intense hot flames. Pure ABS has no halogens, and its most toxic combustion products are carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide (Wikipedia)."
severity: moderate
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Combustion paragraph in the Hazard section"
- mode: "Yellowing and embrittlement by UV or heat"
trigger: "UV light or excessive heat over the service life"
consequence: "Photo-oxidation breaks polymer chains, so the part yellows and becomes brittle (Wikipedia)."
severity: moderate
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Aging paragraph and yellowing text"
- mode: "Attack by chlorinated solvents and alcohols"
trigger: "Contact with chlorinated solvents or alcohols"
consequence: "Poor resistance to both, per Wikipedia; the chemical resistance table gives alcohol as Poor."
severity: low
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Chemical resistance table and solvent paragraph"
side_effects: []
handling:
- text: "ABS shrinks on cooling and warps when printed on a 3D printer. Print inside an enclosure on a heated bed, with glue stick or a brim (Wikipedia)."
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "3D printing section"
- text: "Concerns have been raised about airborne ultrafine particles from 3D printing with ABS (Wikipedia)."
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "3D printing section"
- text: "ABS can be recycled, but not every recycling facility accepts it (Wikipedia)."
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Recycling section"
mitigations:
- text: "Use antioxidants and UV protection for parts in outdoor or hot service, as the composition normally includes them (Wikipedia)."
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Aging paragraph"
uses:
- application: electronics-and-chips
device: "Polymer sample on a space flight experiment"
example: "ABS on the MISSE 2 PEC 2 tray, flown on the ISS in low Earth orbit, with erosion yield listed in NASA TM-2008-215490."
source: nasa-tm-2008-215490
where: "Table I; exposure details in section 2.1"
- application: structures
device: "Enclosures for electrical and electronic assemblies, computer cases, pen housings and small kitchen appliances"
example: "Wikipedia lists these among ABS uses, along with protective headgear, luggage and protective carrying cases."
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Applications list in the Uses section"
- application: structures
device: "LEGO bricks"
example: "Lego bricks have primarily been made from ABS since 1963 (Wikipedia)."
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "LEGO section"
- application: structures
device: "3D printer filament (ground manufacturing, not a flight use)"
example: "ABS filament is a common 3D printing material, valued as cheap, strong and stable, and can be sanded, painted, glued or chemically smoothed (Wikipedia)."
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "3D printing section"
supply:
- subject: "Acrylonitrile (monomer)"
abundance: "World production capacity was estimated at 5 million tonnes per year in 2002 (Wikipedia). The figure is a 2002 estimate, not a current volume."
routes: "Made from propylene and ammonia by the SOHIO process (Wikipedia). Acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide are recovered as byproducts."
producers: []
critical_lists: []
source: wikipedia-acrylonitrile
where: "Lead, production and capacity sentence"
- subject: "Styrene (monomer)"
abundance: "About 25 million tonnes were produced in 2010, rising to around 35 million tonnes by 2018 (Wikipedia). This is the global figure for styrene, not ABS alone."
routes: "Around 80 % is made by dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (Wikipedia)."
producers: []
critical_lists: []
source: wikipedia-styrene
where: "Lead and Production sections"
- subject: "1,3-Butadiene (monomer)"
abundance: "A petroleum hydrocarbon from the C4 fraction of steam cracking (Wikipedia). PubChem says about 75 % of manufactured butadiene is used for synthetic rubber."
routes: "Steam cracking C4 fraction (Wikipedia, ABS production paragraph)."
producers: []
critical_lists: []
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Production section"
- subject: "ABS resin, European production energy"
abundance: "Producing 1 kg of ABS in Europe uses an average of 95.34 MJ, derived from natural gas and petroleum (PlasticsEurope, cited by Wikipedia)."
producers: []
critical_lists: []
source: wikipedia-abs
where: "Production section"
media: []
documents:
- {title: "Plabase datasheet, CYCOLAC resin MG94F (SABIC Petrochemicals Japan), ABS", type: database, url: "https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/654958ecab844428b996ea7c"}
- {title: "Plabase datasheet, Polylac PA-757F (Chimei Industrial), ABS", type: database, url: "https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/5ce2bc8c970ff4022ed55dd9"}
- {title: "Plabase datasheet, Polylac PA-727 (Chimei Industrial)", type: database, url: "https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/5ce2bc87970ff4022ed52996"}
- {title: "Plabase datasheet, Polylac PA-737 (Chimei Industrial)", type: database, url: "https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/5ce2bc85970ff4022ed510fe"}
- {title: "Banks, de Groh and Backus, Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit, NASA/TM-2008-215490", type: report, url: "https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780", year: 2008}
- {title: "Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, Wikipedia (composition, production, ageing, uses, 3D printing, hazard)", type: database, url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene"}
- {title: "Acrylonitrile, Wikipedia (production capacity)", type: database, url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile"}
- {title: "Styrene, Wikipedia (production volumes)", type: database, url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene"}
- {title: "PubChem CID 7855, Acrylonitrile (GHS Classification)", type: database, url: "https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7855"}
- {title: "PubChem CID 7845, 1,3-Butadiene (GHS Classification)", type: database, url: "https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7845"}
- {title: "PubChem CID 7501, Styrene (GHS Classification)", type: database, url: "https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7501"}
gaps:
- "Manufacturer datasheets (INEOS Styrolution Terluran, LG Chem, Trinseo) were not read in this run: no PDF URL was found for them, and the Terluran KR2910 page returned 403 earlier."
- "SABIC Cycolac values are from an aggregator page (Plabase) and not from the SABIC datasheet, which is gated behind login on SpecialChem."
- "The PA-737, PA-727 and PA-757F pages print NaN for UL 94 flammability, so no flammability value is recorded."
- "The test conditions and standards of the aggregator tables are as printed there; the original manufacturer datasheets were not read."
- "No PubChem record for the ABS polymer (CAS 9003-56-9) was read: the PubChem request failed in this run. Hazards are for the monomers only, and no polymer SDS was read."
- "The emulsion, mass or grafting route is not stated in the sources read. The recipe gives monomer shares and the polybutadiene basis only."
- "The monomer shares (15 to 35 % acrylonitrile, 5 to 30 % butadiene, 40 to 60 % styrene) are ranges from Wikipedia, not from a datasheet."
- "No quantitative UV, heat-ageing or solvent stress-cracking data for ABS were read. The ageing entries are qualitative (Wikipedia)."
- "No electronics dielectric, outgassing or radiation data for ABS in space were read in this run."
- "No producer list or country share was read for acrylonitrile, styrene or butadiene. Volumes are global figures from Wikipedia, and the acrylonitrile capacity is a 2002 estimate."
sources:
sabic-mg94f:
title: "Plabase datasheet, CYCOLAC resin MG94F, SABIC Petrochemicals Japan (ABS), typical properties"
id: "Plabase item 654958ecab844428b996ea7c"
url: https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/654958ecab844428b996ea7c
year: 2026
kind: database
license: "aggregator page, linked not reproduced"
chimei-pa-757f:
title: "Plabase datasheet, Polylac PA-757F, Chimei Industrial (ABS), typical properties"
id: "Plabase item 5ce2bc8c970ff4022ed55dd9"
url: https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/5ce2bc8c970ff4022ed55dd9
year: 2026
kind: database
license: "aggregator page, linked not reproduced"
chimei-pa-727:
title: "Plabase datasheet, Polylac PA-727, Chimei Industrial (ABS), typical properties"
id: "Plabase item 5ce2bc87970ff4022ed52996"
url: https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/5ce2bc87970ff4022ed52996
year: 2026
kind: database
license: "aggregator page, linked not reproduced"
chimei-pa-737:
title: "Plabase datasheet, Polylac PA-737, Chimei Industrial (ABS), typical properties"
id: "Plabase item 5ce2bc85970ff4022ed510fe"
url: https://en.plabase.com/plastic/items/5ce2bc85970ff4022ed510fe
year: 2026
kind: database
license: "aggregator page, linked not reproduced"
nasa-tm-2008-215490:
title: "Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit"
id: "NASA/TM-2008-215490 (Banks, de Groh and Backus, 2008), NTRS 20090011780"
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
year: 2008
kind: report
license: "NASA public document"
wikipedia-abs:
title: "Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, Wikipedia (composition, production, ageing, uses, 3D printing, hazard)"
id: "en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene (CAS 9003-56-9 from the infobox)"
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene
kind: web
license: "CC BY-SA 4.0"
wikipedia-acrylonitrile:
title: "Acrylonitrile, Wikipedia (production capacity and process)"
id: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile
kind: web
license: "CC BY-SA 4.0"
wikipedia-styrene:
title: "Styrene, Wikipedia (production volumes and route)"
id: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene
kind: web
license: "CC BY-SA 4.0"
pubchem-acrylonitrile:
title: "PubChem CID 7855, Acrylonitrile: GHS Classification"
id: CID 7855
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7855
kind: database
license: "public domain (NIH PubChem)"
pubchem-butadiene:
title: "PubChem CID 7845, 1,3-Butadiene: GHS Classification and hazards summary"
id: CID 7845
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7845
kind: database
license: "public domain (NIH PubChem)"
pubchem-styrene:
title: "PubChem CID 7501, Styrene: GHS Classification"
id: CID 7501, CAS 100-42-5
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7501
kind: database
license: "public domain (NIH PubChem)"
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: "2026-10-19"
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 17
unreachable: 4
caveats: 4
note: "Deepened by an AI assistant on 2026-10-19. Original properties and sources kept; no properties added. Added recipe and monomer shares, supply volumes, ageing, uses and hazards from Wikipedia (ABS, acrylonitrile, styrene) and PubChem (acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, styrene) read in this run. The Terluran, Cycolac and Polylac PDF datasheets were not located."
story:
recipe:
line: "ABS is a terpolymer made by polymerising styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene (Wikipedia). The polybutadiene forms a long rubbery chain, crisscrossed with shorter chains of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile). The emulsion or mass route is not stated in the page read."
parts:
- name: Styrene
symbol: C8H8
share: "40% to 60%"
role: "Gives a shiny, impervious surface, hardness, rigidity and easier processing (Wikipedia)."
- name: Acrylonitrile
symbol: C3H3N
share: "15% to 35%"
role: "Adds chemical resistance, fatigue resistance, hardness and rigidity, and raises the heat deflection temperature (Wikipedia)."
- name: Butadiene
symbol: C4H6
share: "5% to 30%"
role: "Rubbery polybutadiene phase that gives toughness and impact resistance (Wikipedia)."
risk_groups:
- title: For people
lead: "The monomers are classified in PubChem (ECHA aggregate). No SDS for the ABS polymer was read in this run."
level: 1
verdict: "Monomers classified; polymer not checked"
points:
- label: Classification
line: "Acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene and styrene are classified (PubChem). The polymer itself has no SDS in this run."
- title: If it fails
lead: "The failure routes in these sources are heat under load and erosion in orbit."
points:
- label: Heat
line: "The SABIC MG94F heat deflection is 80 °C at 1.8 MPa, and the Chimei PA-757F is 98 °C annealed."
- label: Atomic oxygen
line: "On MISSE 2 the erosion yield was 1.09e-24 cm3/atom for ABS, from one flight sample."
why: >-
ABS is an amorphous styrenic terpolymer that is tough and easy to mould. The SABIC MG94F grade has a density of 1.04 g/cm3,
a notched Charpy impact strength of 23 kJ/m2 at 23 °C, and a Vicat softening point of 99 °C. The Chimei PA-757F grade
has a density of 1.05 g/cm3 and a flexural modulus of 2200 MPa.
uses:
- where: "Electronics and housings"
line: "Wikipedia lists enclosures for electrical and electronic assemblies, computer cases and pen housings among ABS uses."
- where: "LEGO bricks"
line: "Lego bricks have primarily been made from ABS since 1963 (Wikipedia)."
- where: "3D printing (ground)"
line: "ABS is a common 3D printer filament. Wikipedia says it warps on cooling and needs an enclosure. This is ground manufacturing, not a flight use."
can_do:
- label: Tough at room temperature
value: 23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched
line: >-
SABIC MG94F has a notched Charpy impact strength of 23 kJ/m2 at 23 °C and a notched Izod impact strength of 18 kJ/m2 at 23 °C, both as printed on the aggregator page.
- label: Stiff enough for housings
value: 2200 MPa flexural modulus
line: >-
Chimei PA-757F has a flexural modulus of 2200 MPa at 2 mm/min and a tensile yield stress of 47 MPa at 50 mm/min.
- label: Survive in orbit
value: 1.09e-24 cm3/atom
benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
line: >-
NASA lists an erosion yield of 1.09e-24 cm3/atom for ABS on MISSE 2, from Table I.
compare: >-
The four grades are from two manufacturers and are read from aggregator pages, so the values are typical and not comparable
to a specification. Read the table rows as examples of grade behaviour, not as a ranking.
compare_rows:
- {label: Density, benchmark: density}
- {label: Heat deflection, benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature}
- {label: Erosion yield, benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield}
handling:
- "Specify the grade, since MFR ranges from 12 to 30.2 g/10 min across the grades read."
- "Check the supplier SDS for each grade before handling, since no SDS for ABS was read in this run."
- "Treat the Plabase values as typical values from the manufacturers' sheets, not as limits."
good_for:
- "Impact-tough moulded parts: 23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched impact at 23 °C in SABIC MG94F."
- "Stiff moulded parts: 2200 MPa flexural modulus in Chimei PA-757F."
- "Known atomic oxygen behaviour: 1.09e-24 cm3/atom on MISSE 2, measured in low Earth orbit."
watch_out:
- "Heat: the heat deflection is 80 °C at 1.8 MPa for SABIC MG94F, so ABS softens well below 99 °C Vicat under load."
- "Atomic oxygen erodes ABS at 1.09e-24 cm3/atom, so exterior use needs protection or an erosion allowance."
- "No outgassing, UV or radiation test for ABS in space was found, so only the erosion yield is recorded."
- "The grade values come from aggregator pages, and the SABIC datasheet is gated behind login."
verdict: "ABS is a tough styrenic terpolymer: 23 kJ/m2 Charpy notched impact in SABIC MG94F, density 1.04 to 1.05 g/cm3, and heat deflection of 80 to 98 °C under load. Its weak points are UV yellowing, heat and solvents. The MISSE 2 erosion yield in low Earth orbit is 1.09e-24 cm3/atom. The monomers are classified (acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, styrene), but the polymer has no sourced SDS, outgassing or quantitative UV data."
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.