ABS Sheet and Rod
(Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene or Cycolac® brand)

**Why you should use ABS Sheet or Rod:
- Material That is FDA Compliant
- Material has Good Mechanical Properties
- Very High Impact Strength
- It is Bondable / Weldable to itself
- Cuts well with standard cutting tools
- Material is Paintable, Machinable, and Heat / Vacuum Formable
- Same material as Black Drain Pipe used in homes
This materials is…
high impact and has a heat deflection of 190°F. It is easily bondable and paintable with common acrylic or latex paints or can be silk-screened. Thin gauge material (.040″ – .250″) is available with a haircell texture on one side, and smooth on the other.
- Durable and impact resistant
- Easy to machine
- Dimensionally stable
- Bondable, welds well with solvents or heat
- FDA compliant for contact with food
ABS sheet and Rod:
The machine grade (.125″ – 6.0″) is smooth on both sides and is either Black or Natural (straw-tan-ivory-beige). Material is easily cut with common cutting tools, can be machined similar to woods or soft metals (brass), CNC machining is appropriate. FDA approved for use in food processing applications. Material can be bonded with solvents or attached to itself with ultra-sonic or heat welding methods. Can be sanded, drilled, and worked like a hard wood.
It is very strong and tough, and is applicable to be used in most general purpose applications. Good dimensional stability and machining properties. Available is wide range of sizes in both sheet and rod, and custom formulations and sizes.
Compare to Other Materials
Similar materials would be: Acetal, Nylon and PVC. The Acetal and Nylon can not be bonded or glued, but the PVC bonds well (just think of that PVC pipe for your sprinklers). In the price comparison range, Acetal and Nylon will be more expensive, and the PVC will be similar, depending on actual size of part. PVC is a bit tougher to machine. Acetal machines the best. Nylon is really a tough material, and can be difficult to machine as well.
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Applications – Frequently used in:
- Model / Prototype parts
- FDA Compliant Machined Parts
- Heat Formed and Vacuum Formed Parts
- Strip Heat / Bent Thin Gauge Covers and Housings
- Inserts, Spacers, and Mounting Plates
- Paintable Machined or Cut Parts
- Same Material As Used In Black Plastic Drain Pipe
Materials Available As
Formable Sheet:
.040″ – .250″ in 48″ X 96″ Black Haircell Surface one side
.060″ – .250″ in 48″ X 96″ White Haircell Surface one side
.062″ – .250″ in 54″ X 96″ Royalite R59 – Specialty FR (fire retardant) with Haircell one side.
Smooth Sheet / Machine Grade:
.125″ – 6″ thick Natural (straw-tan-ivory-beige) and Black in 24″ X 48″ up to 48″ X 120″
Film:
Special Order .001″ – .029″ up to 24″ wide (as little as 200# runs)
Rod:
.250″ – 6″ diameter in Natural (tan-beige) and Black up to 96″ lengths
Special Formulations:
Conductive, Static Dissipative, Flame Retardant, Custom Sizes, Formulations, Profiles or Colors
More information and data sheets for ABS Sheet and ABS Rod
Typical Material Properties:
General Property | ASTM Test | Typical Value | R59 Typical Value |
Specific Gravity | D792 | 1.04 | 1.18 – 1.25 |
Tensile Strength Yield | D638 | 6,500 | 5,000 |
Tensile Modulus | D638 | 320 | 290,000 |
Izod Impact – Notched | D256 | 7.0 | 7.8 |
Hardness – Rockwell | D785 | R105 | R93 |
Deflection Temp @ 264psi | D648 | 192 | 174 |
Deflection Temp @ 66 psi | D648 | 208 | 195 |
Co. Thermal Expansion | D696 | 5.3X10-5 | 4.6 -5.5X10-5 |
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These Properties are for evaluation purposes only. This information is not to be construed as a warranty, guarantee or assurance that you may achieve the same results. Materials made from different types, manufacturing techniques and manufacturers will react differently. The information should be used to compare against other materials only, and each user should make his own tests to determine suitability. No warranty as to this materials suitability are either expressed or implied.
For good machinablilty, stiffness, bondability and FDA compliance, ABS sheet and rod are an excellent choice.
Topic: ABS Sheet and ABS Rod