ABS is the workhorse of cosmetic moulding. It takes a mould easily, holds a moulded-in texture, accepts paint and chrome plating, and survives a drop without cracking. For appliance housings, electronics enclosures and automotive interior trim, it is usually the first material our engineers reach for — and often the last, once cost and appearance are both on the table.
Typical values for standard moulding grades. Exact figures depend on the specific compound or grade — confirm against your drawing before quoting.
Key properties
| Eigentum | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Dichte | 1.04 – 1.06 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength | 40 – 50 MPa |
| Flexural modulus | 2.0 – 2.6 GPa |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa | 80 – 95 °C |
| Mould shrinkage | 0.4 – 0.7 % |
| Water absorption (24 h) | 0.2 – 0.45 % |
Values are typical for unfilled moulding grades at 23 °C unless stated. Glass-filled and specialty grades differ.
Typical applications
- Appliance and instrument housings
- Consumer electronics enclosures
- Automotive interior trim and grilles
- Power tool bodies and battery packs
- Plated parts for sanitary and decorative hardware
Processing notes
- Dry 2 – 4 h at 80 °C. Undried ABS shows silver streaking on thick sections.
- Melt 220 – 260 °C, mould 50 – 80 °C. Higher mould temperature buys gloss and weld-line strength.
- Shrinkage sits near 0.5 %, so a 200 mm dimension moves about 1 mm — plan tolerances around that, not against it.
- For plating, specify a plating-grade grade and keep wall stock uniform; sink marks telegraph straight through the chrome.
Frequently asked questions
Can you match a specific Pantone colour in ABS?
Yes. We masterbatch to a Pantone reference or to a physical chip you send, and we shoot a colour plaque for approval before the production run. Pre-coloured compound avoids the batch variation you get from dry-blending.
Is ABS suitable for outdoor use?
Only with a UV-stabilised grade, and even then it will chalk over several years. For permanent outdoor exposure we normally steer the part to ASA, which keeps the same processing window and appearance but resists UV far better.
Related materials
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Send us your ABS drawing
Upload a 3D model or a 2D drawing and we will come back with a DFM review, a tooling cost and a piece price — usually within two working days.
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