ABS is the most commonly used material in rapid prototyping, which occupies around 80% of the world’s rapid prototyping manufacturing. So, what is ABS and why it is so widely used? What is advantages of ABS prototypes?
What is ABS and Why it is so widely used?
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene copolymers, referred to as ABS, is a thermoplastic polymer that is high strength, high toughness, easy processing and molding. And just because of those advantages of, it is often used to manufacture the plastic casing. ABS prototypes are usually slightly yellow and black, have a certain toughness, the density is about 1.04 ~ 1.06g / cm3.
ABS is relatively strong in corrosion resistance for acid, alkali and salt, but also, to a certain extent, tolerance to dissolution by organic solvents. ABS resin can perform normally under the environment of -25 ℃ ~ 60 ℃, and easy molding. The ABS prototypes has smooth surfaces and are easy to dye and electroplate. So it can be used for household appliances, toy prototypes and other daily necessities. The common Lego building blocks are ABS products.
In particular, 90% of the materials used in CNC machining is ABS, which can be free to open for processing and strength will not be greatly affected after bonding. This is believed to be one of the big reasons why ABS is so widely used in rapid prototyping.
Advantages of ABS Prototypes
ABS prototypes are easy to glue, polish and convenient in post-processing and painting, laser carving and electroplating are allowed. The detailed advantages of ABS prototypes are as follows:
1. Good impact resistance: ductile deformation only even after a sudden attack.
2. High working pressure: 1.0Mpa in room temperature 20 ℃
3. Good chemical stability, non-toxic, tasteless. Full in line with the health and safety requirements in pharmaceutical, food and other industries.
4. Can be used in a wide range of temperature from -20 ℃ to 70 ℃.
5. Light weight and cost saving. ABS is only 1/7 of steel and thus reduces the weight and labor intensity as well as the consumption of raw materials and saves cost.
6. Long service life: ABS prototypes can be used over 50 years inside and the service life can be longer if buried in the ground or water without significant corrosion.
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