Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Other Specialist Styrenics
ABS is an ideal material wherever superlative surface quality, colorfastness and luster are required. ABS is a two phase polymer blend. A continuous phase of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) gives the materials rigidity, hardness and heat resistance. The toughness of ABS is the result of sub microscopically fine polybutadiene rubber particles uniformly distributed in the SAN matrix.
Automotive construction places particularly high requirements on the materials used. Under extreme stresses they have to be dimensionally stable and must not warp, even when faced with great temperature variations.
Electrical and electronics industries increasingly require surfaces which are not only highly scratch- and wear-resistant but also decorative and easy to maintain. ABS’s excellent antistatic performance is a particular advantage here.
Attractive products with elegant design and high quality create a feeling of well-being at home and in the office. ABS can create exciting and varied color schemes. Grades can also be electroplated, emboss-stamped or metalized.
Styrene Acrylonitrile copolymers have been available since the 1940’s and while its increased toughness over styrene made it suitable for many applications, its limitations led to the introduction of a rubber (butadiene) as a third monomer and hence was born the range of materials popularly referred to as ABS plastics. These became available in the 1950’s and the variability of these copolymers and ease of processing has led to ABS becoming the most popular of the engineering polymers.
Terluran® is the ABS from BASF : special Terluran® grades and Tellurian® Standard are ideal materials wherever superlative surface quality, colorfastness and luster are required. Terluran’s properties are superior to those generally expected from an ABS, even where comparable products require costly modification. Terluran® is an extremely cost-effective material for components with stringent service requirements, or where there is weight-saving potential.