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ABS Cycolac Absylux Royalite Sheet Rod

ABS Cycolac Absylux Royalite Sheet Rod

thick-white-plastic-sheet

ABS Rod, Sheet and Plate

Black and White GP Haircell and Machine Grade Available

Natural and Black ABS Rod and Sheet In Stock

The machine grade (.125″- 6.0″) Absylux ABS sheet is smooth on both sides and is either Black or Natural in color (colors like straw, tan, ivory, and beige can be special ordered). Material is easily cut with common cutting tools, can be machined similar to woods or soft metals (brass), and is appropriate for CNC machining. Machine Grade ABS is FDA approved for use in food processing applications. ABS materials can be bonded with solvents or attached to itself with ultra-sonic or heat welding methods. It can be sanded, drilled, and worked like hardwood. ABS Rod and ABS sheet are very strong, tough, and applicable to be used in most general purpose applications. Good dimensional stability and machining properties are traits of ABS. This material is available in a wide range of sizes in both sheet and rod and custom formulations and sizes. Some common trade names for ABS include Tecaran®, Absulux®, Sustaabs®, and several more.

Why you should use ABS:

ABS is a material that is FDA compliant. It has good mechanical properties, very high impact strength, is bondable/weldable to itself, and cuts well with standard cutting tools. The material is paintable, machinable, and heat/vacuum formable as well. It is the same material as black drain pipe used in homes.

ABS is ITAR compliant, and ABS is RoHS compliant.

Machine Grade ABS compares favorably with other engineering and mechanical plastics. Because ABS is bondable, it is frequently used to replace machinable plastics that are not bondable, like Nylon, Acetal, and HDPE.

Common applications include:

Automotive parts, appliances, piping and fittings, wall socket coverings and plates, computer keys, and even Legos!

Question: How does ABS compare with Acetal and other materials?

Answer: It is a strong rigid plastic material that machines well, with a high impact strength. It is as dimensionally stable as more expensive plastics and is FDA compliant for food contact and yet is still bondable and paintable.

Formable ABS Sheet: .040″ – .250″ in 48″ X 96″

Black Haircell Surface one side: .060″ – .250″ in 48″ X 96″

White Haircell Surface one side: .062″ – .250″ in 54″ X 96″

Royalite R59: Specialty FR (fire retardant) with Haircell one side.

Smooth ABS Sheets / ABS Machine Grade Sheet: .125″ – 6″ thick

Natural (straw-tan-ivory-beige) and Black in 24″ X 48″ up to 48″ X 120″

Film: Natural ABS Sheet and Rod Special Order .001″ – .029″ up to 24″ wide (as little as 200 lbs runs)

ABS Rod and ABS Rods: .250″ – 6″ diameter in Natural (tan-beige) and Black up to 96″ lengths

Special Formulations: Conductive, Static Dissipative, Flame Retardant, Custom Sizes, Formulations, Profiles or Colors

Typical Resin Properties:

General PropertyASTM TestTypical ValueR59 Typical Value
Specific GravityD7921.041.18 – 1.25
Tensile Strength YieldD6386,5005,000
Tensile ModulusD638320290,000
Izod Impact – NotchedD2567.07.8
Hardness – RockwellD785R105R93
Deflection Temp @ 264psiD648192174
Deflection Temp @ 66 psiD648208195
Co. Thermal ExpansionD6965.3X10-54.6 -5.5X10-5
ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene sheet and rod

Properties are for evaluation purposes only. This information is not to be construed as a warranty, guarantee or assurance that you may achieve the same results. Materials made from different resin types, manufacturing techniques and manufacturers will react differently. The information should be used to compare against other materials only, and each user should make his own tests to determine suitability. No warranty as to this materials suitability are either expressed nor implied.

Looking For Vacuum Forming (Formable) Plastics

Looking For Vacuum Forming (Formable) Plastics

“What is a good material for vacuum forming?”

This is a popular question received from clients. This question has a rather long answer. Most Thermoplastic materials are thermo-formable, and thus vacuum forming compatible. Some of the most common and easier materials for forming are listed below.vacuum forming polycarbonate for food and chocolate molds

Common Vacuum Forming Materials:

Each plastic material has a variety of different properties, and they form at different temperatures. The Acrylic, PETG and Polycarbonate sheets are normally clear (can be special ordered in colors), however the Polycarbonate may have to be heat dried prior to the vacuum forming temperature phase (depending on thickness).
ABS and HIS both form very well, and are normally White or Black. The ABS normally has a fine texture called Hair Cell on the primary surface, the Styrene is smooth on two sides. On a special basis Styrene and ABS can be run in almost any thickness up to .375″ thick, and in almost any color (minimums apply) and in a huge range of custom run sheet sizes.
While many other materials may be available for special applications and with various improved properties, these are the most commonly available and used materials.
Some of the important factors in choosing a material for your vacuum forming project would be: clarity, strength of finished part, temperature, depth of draw, UV resistance, Flame Retardant Rating, thickness and size range.

Large parts can be produced using this process, for example – Hot Tubs and Pick Up Truck Bed Liners. Also vacuum forming is used to produce very small parts like chocolate molds and numerous packaging applications.Pouring White Chocolate into Polycarbonate Mold

Most vacuum forming started in their garage (or kitchen). A simple vacuum forming ‘machine’ can be produced at very low cost using 2 X 4 wood, peg board, and your shop vac. Obviously this is not the way the above hot tub was formed, but the process is rather simple and is much more an art than a science. We have seen several YouTube videos showing entry level – DIY style vacuum forming machines.  Most use the kitchen oven as the heat source and are used to make small chocolate molds, wax molds, hobby parts and more. Many materials can be used in this simple process, and we are happy to assist you with your basic questions of the vacuum forming process.
There are also a wide range of commercial thermoforming machines (see video) available, in almost unlimited range of sizes.

There is a wide array of materials that can be used, and they have different properties – no one material meets all your needs. Contact us for details on your vacuum forming requirements or with question.