History

ABS, the abbreviation for Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a mixed polymer. The has been first used in the 1950s as an ABS resin and has had different applications ever since.

The Plastic has been patented in 1948 and was commercialized in 1954. Introduced as Cycolac by the Borg Warner Corporation the first product was sold shortly after: a telephone by Bell Telephone made from Cycolac T.

Production

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer is a thermoplastic terpolymer, produced through branching. During the process the polymers provide connections for other monomers. This enables production of plastics with special properties. Being a polymer, ABS consist of the monomers acrylonitrile, 1,3 butadiene and styrene. They are combined in different mixing ratios. Depending on the method of production the material is tinted yellow or white. Depending on the preferred properties a ratio of 15-35% acrylonitrile, 5-30% butadiene and 40-60% styrene is being used.

In the branching process the ingredients can be melted together by “grafting onto”, where chains add onto each other or “grafting from”, where growth starts from a single chain. Many of the substances exist in gas or fluid form and are added to the ABS with different processes.

3D-Printing

The DuraPro ABS filament is more robust than normal PLA filaments. DuraPro ABS is very easy to rework. Stickers and paint can be added onto the finished product and it can be sanded and cut into shape. While printing the product can warp due to its thermal properties. However, by using a heated bed, an enclosed printing space or a multiuse plate, the problem can be avoided. Blue tape and adhesive spray can be used as well. In order to avoid the odor of the material sufficient ventilation is needed, however, the printing space must not be affected in order to keep the printed piece in good shape.

Technical data

DuraPro ABS is resistant against grease and oil as well as weather and aging. The operating temperature lies between 85 and 100°C. The electrical puncture resistance lies at 120kV/mm. The normal ABS compound is flammable and produces black, odorous smoke.

Application

ABS is mainly used in home applications. Especially for packing material, toys, pipes and conduits. Furthermore, the automotive sector uses ABS for many applications. In 3D printing DuraPro ABS is used for industrial applications that require a lot of mechanical and thermal resistance. In the recycling process DuraPro ABS can be cleaned from about 99% of all contamination.