ABS

Identify the grade and supplied form

LG's HI121 ABS lists 85°C heat deflection under ASTM D648, edgewise at 1.82 MPa, 6.4 mm and unannealed. Its 340 J/m notched Izod uses ASTM D256 at 23°C on 3.2 mm specimens. LG injection molded and stored these specimens for 48 h at 23°C / 50% RH. Use these typical results with their test basis. LG HI121 test conditions

ABS — acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene — is a thermoplastic material family, not one property set. SIMONA PMC describes ABS as a terpolymer and offers different impact, surface, flame-retardant and weather-resistant options. A material description must identify the actual grade and construction rather than only “ABS.” SIMONA PMC ABS

Multilayer products also need a layer description. Senoplast separately identifies ordinary ABS sheet, ABS/ASA and other constructions, with different surface and weathering options. Its A48 product includes recycled content, while A51 and A53 target increased heat resistance. These are particular products, not properties conferred on every ABS sheet by adding a color or trade name. Senoplast product groups

Read a datasheet with its test conditions

LG Chem HI121 is a named injection-molding ABS grade. Its technical sheet reports these typical properties:

Except for melt-flow testing, LG states that specimens were injection molded and stored for 48 hours at 23°C / 50% RH before measurement. It limits these typical values to material selection, rather than specification or part/tool design. HI121 technical sheet

Do not combine an ISO impact value in kJ/m² with an ASTM result in J/m as if they were directly comparable. Preserve test method, notch, specimen thickness, temperature, conditioning and molding history. A tensile yield result is not an allowable long-term stress or a drop-test rating for an enclosure.

Likewise, heat deflection, Vicat softening and glass-transition temperature describe different tests. None independently specifies the continuous operating temperature of a loaded component. Check sustained deflection, creep, fastener loads, impact after aging and dimensional requirements under the actual duty cycle.

Match the process to the product

HI121's guide gives 70–80°C drying for 3–4 hours and 200–250°C injection temperature as general guidance requiring adjustment for particular molding situations. These are product-specific starting conditions. LG HI121 processing guide, page 2

Record drying and storage history, actual melt/mold conditions, cycle and regrind policy with a molding trial. Evaluate sink, weld lines, residual stress, shrinkage and warpage on the real geometry. A resin's short-term coupon results do not establish the performance of a thin rib, screw boss or knit line.

For sheet processing, order thickness tolerance, texture, gloss, cap construction and forming requirements. Machining stock from sheet does not recreate injection-molded specimen history. Thermoformed parts need inspection of the finished wall distribution, trimmed edges and critical features, rather than acceptance by the starting sheet thickness alone.

SIMONA PMC's OneStep product illustrates construction-specific constraints: it laminates vinyl foam over ABS and states that the vinyl prevents reuse of its regrind and slightly reduces draw depth. A recycling or forming claim for unlaminated ABS should not be transferred to this composite product. SIMONA PMC OneStep vinyl/ABS

FDM ABS is a process-specific material system

Stratasys' ABS-M30 sheet, MDS_FDM_ABS-M30_0826a / ©2026, explicitly calls its values typical comparison data rather than design specifications or quality-control limits. Its mechanical specimens were printed at 0.25 mm layer height on specified systems, and it identifies FDM parts as anisotropic. Stratasys ABS-M30 datasheet

For ABS-M30 Black on the F900 with a T16 tip, its ASTM D638 yield strengths are 30.8 MPa in XZ and 27.5 MPa in ZX. The difference is 3.3 MPa, or approximately 10.7% below the XZ value. This original calculation illustrates an orientation effect in that test; it does not quantify the reduction for an arbitrary printed bracket. The source also reports scatter, so neither value is a guaranteed minimum. ABS-M30 table 5

Keep printer, material identity, orientation, layer height, raster/fill strategy, support removal and post-processing in the part definition. Qualification of one printed configuration cannot be replaced by the resin grade's injection-molded data. Inspect dimensions and test representative load paths, especially features relying on interlayer strength.

Weathering, chemicals and surface operations

SIMONA PMC warns that UV exposure degrades ABS and offers weather-resistant cap layers. Senoplast similarly distinguishes optional UV stabilization of ABS from its ABS/ASA constructions. Select a documented exterior product and evaluate the intended exposed faces, edges, color retention and mechanical retention; a surface-weathering claim does not automatically cover every cut or machined face. SIMONA PMC ABS, Senoplast product groups

For its ABS and ASA materials, SIMONA PMC recommends soap and water and warns against ketones or degreasers. Treat this as the supplier's cleaning guidance, not blanket chemical compatibility for all ABS. Record cleaner identity/concentration, temperature, contact time, rinsing and mechanical stress when qualifying cleaning or disinfection. SIMONA PMC cleaning guidance

Bonding, painting, solvent smoothing and plating also require grade- and process-specific validation. Check adhesion, appearance, dimensional change and crack formation on representative parts after environmental exposure. Do not treat intentional solvent softening as proof of harmless cleaning or a structurally qualified joint.

Selection and release

Use current regional handling information for the resin, filament, sheet and any cleaners or adhesives. Set process controls for thermal processing, machining debris and finishing. Recycled or reprocessed material needs an agreed feedstock and qualification basis; a claim that ABS is recyclable does not establish properties after unrestricted regrinding or blending.

Release against the selected product, process record, dimensions, surface requirements and relevant functional tests. Retain lot identity and distinguish reference data, contractual acceptance requirements and demonstrated assembly performance.

Source versions and related reference

Sources were reviewed November 1, 2026. LG's two-page HI121 PDF prints updated May 7, 2021; issued September 23, 2021. The current Stratasys download prints MDS_FDM_ABS-M30_0826a / ©2026. The cited SIMONA PMC and Senoplast pages do not display a complete technical revision date; their website dates should not be mistaken for qualification dates.

Material selection through production