Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is one of the most versatile and widely used thermoplastics in the injection molding industry. Known for its excellent balance of strength, toughness, and processability, ABS is ideal for manufacturing durable, lightweight, and aesthetically appealing parts.
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ABS is a terpolymer made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. This unique composition gives ABS its distinctive properties:
Good Scratch Resistance, High Gloss, Strong toughness, Ease of processing
Tensile Strength
5500 PSI
Elongation at Break
30%
Density
1.04~1.06 g/㎤
Advantages of ABS Injection Molding
There are many benefits derived from ABS plastic molding, Some of the advantages of the material include:
Durability
ABS is highly impact-resistant and can withstand tough conditions, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Excellent Surface Finish
The material provides a smooth, glossy surface, which is ideal for aesthetic products.
Versatility
ABS can be molded into complex shapes with high precision, enabling the production of intricate parts.
Electrical Insulation
ABS has excellent electrical insulating properties, making it suitable for electronic components.
Good Dimensional Stability
ABS retains its shape well under varying temperature and humidity conditions.
Applications of ABS Injection Molding
ABS plastic can be easily processed and shaped, so the products made from this plastic are always diverse and rich, giving consumers many different choices.
Try to maintain a consistent wall thickness throughout the part. Sudden changes in wall thickness can lead to sink marks, warping, and internal stresses. The ideal wall thickness for ABS is usually between 1.5 – 3.5mm. For example, if you’re designing a box – shaped part, keep the walls as close to the same thickness as possible.
Minimum Thickness
The minimum wall thickness, around 0.8 – 1mm for ABS (varying with part size and application), must ensure strength and functionality. But very thin walls pose filling challenges in injection molding.
Maximum Thickness
The wall thickness range of ABS products is generally between 1.5 ~ 5.0mm, and the maximum thickness of the thicker ABS sheet is generally 5mm ~ 10mm.
Rib Design
Rib thickness is 40 – 60% of adjacent wall thickness. Height is less than 3 times base width to avoid warping. E.g., for a 3mm base width rib, height < 9mm.
Bosses Design
Bosses for mounting or inserts. Outer diameter ≥ 1.5 times hole diameter. Design boss wall thickness carefully to prevent sink marks and ensure strength.
Draft Angle
For ABS parts, 1 – 2° draft angle for ≤ 50mm depth, 2 – 3° for deeper ones. Apply to all vertical surfaces parallel to mold opening.
Runner System
The runner system aims to minimize pressure loss and ensure uniform material flow in multi – cavity molds. ABS runner diameter is 4 – 10 mm based on shot size and cavity number. In cold – runner, it should be easy to remove post – molding. In hot – runner, precise temperature control is needed for proper ABS viscosity.
Melt index is a number that indicates the fluidity of plastic materials during processing. It is the American Measurement Standards Institute (ASTM), according to the
The injection molding process is a process involving mold design, mold manufacturing, raw material characteristics, and raw material pretreatment method, molding process, injection molding machine operation, and