Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS provides impact resistance, lightweight strength, and ease of fabrication for enclosures, housings, and general-purpose industrial components.
Select a form factor to view real-time inventory, pricing, and custom cut-to-size options.
| Short Description | Color | Diameter | Length | Stock | Price | Add to quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS - 0.250" dia x 120 Black Rod | Black | 0.250″ | 120″ | Out of stock | $14.19per rod | |
| ABS - 0.250" dia x 120 Natural Rod | Natural | 0.250″ | 120″ | Out of stock | $28.21per rod | |
| ABS - 0.250" dia x 60 Natural Rod | Natural | 0.250″ | 60″ | Out of stock | $6.44per rod | |
| ABS - 0.375" dia x 120 Black Rod | Black | 0.375″ | 120″ | Out of stock | $26.89per rod | |
| ABS - 0.375" dia x 120 Natural Rod | Natural | 0.375″ | 120″ | Out of stock | $63.03per rod | |
| ABS - 0.375" dia x 60 Black Rod | Black | 0.375″ | 60″ | Out of stock | $15.18per rod | |
| ABS - 0.500" dia x 120 Black Rod | Black | 0.500″ | 120″ | Out of stock | $47.85per rod | |
| ABS - 0.500" dia x 120 Natural Rod | Natural | 0.500″ | 120″ | Out of stock | $105.76per rod | |
| ABS - 0.500" dia x 60 Black Rod | Black | 0.500″ | 60″ | Out of stock | $23.92per rod | |
| ABS - 0.500" dia x 60 Natural Rod | Natural | 0.500″ | 60″ | Out of stock | $21.12per rod |
Material Overview
ABS plastic — acrylonitrile butadiene styrene — is a versatile amorphous engineering thermoplastic that combines the toughness of butadiene rubber with the rigidity of styrene and the chemical resilience of acrylonitrile. The result is an ABS material prized for its balanced combination of impact resistance, stiffness, and straightforward fabrication across a broad range of commercial and industrial components.
Ready Plastics ABS delivers 4,600 psi tensile strength, 7,100 psi flexural strength, and a Shore D hardness of 75 with a density of only 1.04 g/cm³ — making it one of the most weight-efficient structural thermoplastics available. Service temperature reaches 100 °C (210 °F) short-term, and a glass transition temperature of 104 °C ensures dimensional stability in ambient industrial environments. Low water absorption (0.07% at 24 h) keeps tolerances consistent even in humid conditions.
Fabrication. ABS machines cleanly on conventional shop equipment — routing, sawing, drilling, and milling all produce sharp edges and smooth surfaces without the gummy behavior seen in polyolefins. It bonds readily with solvent cements and structural adhesives, and accepts paint or plating finishes that are not practical on most other thermoplastics. Flammability rating is UL 94 HB for general-purpose grades.
Typical applications include electrical enclosures, instrument housings, jig and fixture components, prototype parts, signage, and aesthetic trim panels where surface quality matters as much as strength. Ready Plastics stocks ABS in sheet and rod forms — see the ABS product page for available sizes and to request a quote.
Technical Specifications
Typical values at 23°C / 50% RH. Values are nominal and not guaranteed; refer to lot-specific certificates of conformance for production parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is an amorphous engineering thermoplastic made from three monomers that together deliver impact resistance, rigidity, and good machinability. Ready Plastics ABS has a tensile strength of 4,600 psi, a service temperature up to 100 °C, and a density of 1.04 g/cm³ — making it a cost-effective choice for enclosures, housings, and structural components.
ABS offers a better surface finish and easier paintability than HDPE or polycarbonate, but it has lower impact resistance than PC and lower chemical resistance than HDPE. Choose ABS when aesthetics, machinability, and cost are the primary drivers; choose polycarbonate when you need higher impact toughness or transparency, and HDPE when chemical or moisture resistance is the priority.
Ready Plastics stocks ABS in flat sheet and round rod. Contact us or visit the ABS product page for current thicknesses, diameters, and cut-to-size options.
Yes. ABS machines very well on standard milling, turning, routing, and drilling equipment. It produces clean cuts and smooth surfaces, holds tolerances well, and can be bonded with solvent cements or structural adhesives after machining.
Standard ABS is not UV-stabilized and will yellow and embrittle with prolonged outdoor exposure. For outdoor use, a UV-stabilized or painted ABS is recommended. For inherently UV-resistant thermoplastics, consider HDPE or PVDF instead.
Get a quote on cut-to-size sheets and rods, request a full data sheet, or talk to a plastics engineer. We answer in under two hours, M–F 8am–6pm ET.
