As a business, one of the most important aspects to cater to is the manufacturing of the products you’ll be using. This means you need to research and have a clear understanding of the processes that will be involved. One of the most used processes in the manufacture of different products is injection molding. It is an efficient option that ensures all your desired requirements are met. In injection molding, you’ll find ABS plastic molding as one of the most relied upon production processes. It is a process that is used by many injection molding manufacturers to ensure that the products being made are of the right standard. Learning more about ABS plastic molding will give you a great idea of what to expect when you approach your desired manufacturer. In this article, we’ll expound on ABS plastics, some of their properties, and also the process itself. 

Table of Contents

What are ABS Plastics?

What are ABS Plastics

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In the injection molding process, different types of plastics may be featured to achieve a certain plastic product. ABS plastics is one of the few choices that is preferred by different manufacturers who are focused on providing quality to all their customers. The ABS plastic is a short abbreviation of the name acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. This plastic is an opaque thermoplastic and amorphous polymer greatly used in the plastic manufacturing industry. The ABS plastics come in handy seeing they are thermoplastic and are responsive to the effects of heat. This means that at a certain degree of the heat applied, the ABS plastic will melt and can easily be manipulated and shaped into a different product. 

 

This goes to show that they can easily be recycled and reused for a different application. The ability to heat this plastic to its melting point, cool it, and reheat it again without degradation is an important aspect to most manufacturers and users. In most cases, when working with other types of plastic polymers you’ll find that when exposed to heat they tend to burn. However, when it comes to ABS plastics, all they do is change their state by liquefying which makes them an ideal option for injection molding.

How ABS Plastic is Made

How ABS Plastic is Made

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The ABS plastic polymer that is used in most plastic product manufacturing processes, undergoes a process of its own to make it a suitable option to use. ABS is commonly polymerized using a process mostly known as an emulsion. This process is used to refer to a situation where a mixture of multiple products is combined to make a single product. The uniqueness of this process is that the mixture involved features products that would typically not mix. The creation of ABS may also feature the use of the continuous mass polymerization process. 

 

However, unlike the emulsion process, this particular option is not commonly used seeing as it is a patented process. One thing to note here is that during the emulsion process, you’ll have to use products that feature abs properties. Given that ABS is a thermoplastic, the products used should also feature the same qualities. It’s mostly like recycling products made of ABS plastic to make more ABS polymers.

ABS Plastics Properties

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ABS plastics feature a few properties that make them the go-to plastic polymer of choice for most manufacturers. These properties come in handy in ensuring that all the products made are of the highest quality and that they meet the customer’s needs. Some of the properties to consider include:

Increased Versatility

When it comes to choosing a plastic polymer that is perfect for machining especially with a process such as injection molding, this is the best for you. ABS plastics feature a great deal of versatility that allows them to easily take shape when in the manufacturing process.

Temperature Resistant

The abs plastics have a high resistance to heat and chemical substances which makes them a great polymer option. They feature a low melting temperature which makes them ideal for manufacturing processes such as injection molding or 3D printing on an FDM machine.

Heat Morphic

When ABS plastics are molded at high temperatures, they produce higher gloss and heat resistance. However, on the other hand, when molded at lower temperatures they tend to improve their resistance and load strength resulting in better-finished products.

Additive Qualities

In the manufacturing process, you’ll find that most will feature the addition of different products to help boost the performance of the plastic polymer being used. In the case of ABS plastics, mist manufacturers tend to work by adding fibers, especially fiberglass as their additive. This addition helps increase the strength of the product dramatically. Also, other additives may be introduced to increase heat resistance to as high as 80 ℃.

Why ABS Plastics are Preferred

ABS Plastics are Preferred

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Given the properties we have just discussed, it is clear that working with ABS plastic polymers is the best way to go especially for injection molding. However, the properties featured by these plastics are not the only reason why they are preferred by most manufacturers. The other reason is the fact that these plastic polymers are relatively inexpensive making them quite pocket-friendly to both customers and manufacturers. Given that the ABS plastic polymers are made by recycling products made of the same, you find that the prices are much lower. This makes the ABS plastics a better and more quality option to use for the price invested in the plastic polymer.

ABS Plastics Applications

ABS Plastics Applications

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The ABS plastic polymers are used in the manufacture of specific plastic products used in different applications. Given the strength and endurance exhibited by this polymer, you’ll find them used in products that need such properties. For instance, some of the products where the use of ABS plastic polymers is featured include:

Keys on a computer keyboard

 

The keys featured on the computer keyboards are most commonly made of ABS plastic polymers. They are made to feature strength and stay durable while still offering quality service to their users.

Powertool housing

 

When working with a drill and other power tools used in construction, you’ll find the use of plastic used to cover the inner mechanics. The plastic featured on these power tools is designed to be housing for them. This plastic is made to be strong to protect the power tools from any outside interference that could hinder performance. The plastic housing usually features the use of ABS plastic polymers in their construction.

Plastic face guard on wall sockets

 

Most wall sockets used to switch on and off the supply of electricity will usually feature the use of a plastic faceguard. This plastic housing just like that on the power tools is used to ensure that the mechanics of the socket are not interfered with. The plastic face guard also acts as a great finishing piece for aesthetics. The plastic used in these plastics is the ABS plastic polymer.

LEGO toys

 

If you have ever had the chance to play with the LEGO toys and build a tower with them, you’ll have realized the properties they feature. LEGO toys are plastic and feature a great deal of strength which makes them hard to destroy. They additionally are durable and last a long time. They are also made in different colors to make the game more exciting. The plastic polymer used in the manufacture of the LEGO toys is ABS.

Conclusion

ABS plastic molding is a process where ABS plastic polymers are used in the injection molding process. These polymers are used to manufacture different plastic products like power tool housings and lego toys among others. They feature amazing properties that make them the go-to plastic of choice for most injection molding manufacturers. As a business, if you want to have your plastic products made using the injection process, ABS plastic polymers will come in handy for you.

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