Polystyrene & ABS

Polystyrene is a useful polymer that can be created in solid and foamed forms. It is naturally transparent but can be coloured. It has a wide variety of usages. In general, it possesses good electrical resistance properties, and is rigid and easy to mould, while still being good at maintaining its dimensions. ABS is similar to polystyrene, being formed by the polymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene, but it is stronger than pure polystyrene. This group of polymers is a cost-effective choice for a variety of purposes.

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  High Impact Polystyrene, or HIPS is very impact resistant. It has good dimensional stability, while also being easily moulded. It has a glossy natural appearance, something that makes it easy to paint. It is a very versatile material that is most commonly used for its stiffness and ability to maintain shape. It does have quite low strength however and is susceptible to breakage and stress cracking, however HIPS is also shatterproof and impact resistant

  HIPS has a very wide range of usages. It is used in the creation of indoor signs and displays, in product packaging, and is a commonly used thermoplastic in household, electrical, and consumer products. HIPS is also commonly used in the automotive industry, in the creation of instrument panels, in the food service industry, in the creation of drinking cups, and in office products such as rulers, and computer housing.

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  General Purpose Polystyrene, or GPPS has some very varied uses. GPPS is brittle and rigid and is naturally transparent, and has excellent x-ray, dilute acid, dilute base resistance, and oil and grease resistance. It is an especially cost-effective choice as it is easy to process and has a low melting point.

  GPPS has a wide range of uses and applications, from consumer products, household items, and toys, to test tubes and petri dishes. It is also used in clothes hangers and electrical and computer casings. It used in a very large range of industries as its properties lends itself to a variety of general usages.

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  Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS, is very impact resistant, even at low temperatures, and has a high level of rigidity. It is resistant to strain and possesses a good level of dimensional stability and weldability. ABS also possesses good electrical insulation properties, and good resistance to diluted acids and bases, as well as moderate resistance to some hydrocarbons. ABS does scratch easily however, and is not very resistant to solvents.

  ABS is used in many industries, from the automotive, and electronics industries, to household and consumer products. It is also commonly found in appliances, pipes, hoses and other fittings.