It is tough and rigid for a general plastic, with good impact strength. For higher impact or heat, use polycarbonate or a PC/ABS blend; for wear parts, use nylon or POM.

Can ABS be used outdoors?

Plain ABS yellows and turns brittle in sunlight. Use UV-stabilised or painted ABS, or ASA, for outdoor parts.

Can ABS be chrome plated?

Yes. Plating-grade ABS is one of the most common plastics for chrome plating, used for knobs, taps, badges and trims.

ABS plastic: properties, moulding, machining, uses

ABS is a tough, rigid plastic made from acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. It moulds easily with a good surface, takes paint and chrome plating, and is cheap, so it is one of the most common plastics for housings, covers, panels and consumer parts. It is also widely used for 3D printing and as machined or thermoformed sheet.

Quick facts

Density: About 1.04–1.06 g/cm³
Service temperature: About −20 to +80 °C
Strengths: Tough, rigid, good surface, easy to mould and paint
Weak points: Poor UV resistance; attacked by many solvents
Processes: Injection moulding, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing
Forms: Granules, sheet, rod, filament

Typical properties

Property	Value
Tensile strength	About 40–50 MPa
Impact strength	Good, also at low temperature
Heat deflection temperature	About 85–100 °C
Mould shrinkage	About 0.4–0.7%

Values are typical for unfilled grades. Grades from different makers differ; ask for the supplier's data sheet when it matters.

ABS or polycarbonate?

	ABS	Polycarbonate
Impact strength	Good	Very high
Heat resistance	Up to about 80 °C	Up to about 115–120 °C
Transparent grades	No (opaque)	Yes
Cost	Lower	Higher

Typical uses

Electrical and electronic housings
Appliance covers and panels
Automobile interior trims and grilles
Toys, helmets and luggage shells
Chrome-plated knobs, taps and badges

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Questions

Is ABS strong?: It is tough and rigid for a general plastic, with good impact strength. For higher impact or heat, use polycarbonate or a PC/ABS blend; for wear parts, use nylon or POM.
Can ABS be used outdoors?: Plain ABS yellows and turns brittle in sunlight. Use UV-stabilised or painted ABS, or ASA, for outdoor parts.
Can ABS be chrome plated?: Yes. Plating-grade ABS is one of the most common plastics for chrome plating, used for knobs, taps, badges and trims.

The figures on this page are typical values for guidance, written by Diemeco from standard engineering practice. They are not a specification: confirm grades and properties with the relevant standard or the supplier's mill test certificate, and tolerances with your workshop. Last checked 18 October 2026.