Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, commonly known as ABS, is a type of plastic that is opaque thermoplastic and amorphous polymer. When we say thermoplastic, what we mean is that this type of plastic responds to heat in different ways. In the case of ABS, this plastic becomes liquid when subjected to 221 degrees Fahrenheit. The difference between thermoplastic and other plastics is that they can melt into a liquid state, cool and reheat without causing significant damage to their chemical composition. Therefore, ABS does not burn, it only melts and turns into a liquid state. After cooling, it will return to solid state again. Thermoplastics like ABS are better than thermosetting plastics because thermosetting plastics can only be heated once (usually when molded into a specific form).
When heating thermosetting plastics, they undergo irreversible chemical changes. That's why they can't melt over and over again like thermoplastic plastics. When people try to heat thermosetting plastics instead of melting them, they eventually burn, which is different from thermoplastic plastics, which can become liquid again and be reshaped.
The ability to repeatedly heat ABS makes it an excellent choice for recycling.
How is ABS plastic made?
Emulsification is one of the main processes that aid in degreasing. Produce ABS. The emulsification process can be simply described as mixing multiple materials, which are not specifically mixed, but rather mixed together as a product. ABS is patented and referred to as continuous bulk polymerization. After completing this process, we will obtain ABS. It is an ideal plastic candidate for recycling and producing new products from old ABS plastics.
How and where to use ABS?
Due to ABS being a highly elastic plastic that is not easily corroded when in contact with abrasive materials, it is commonly used for 3D printing, computer keyboards, LEGO toys, power tool casings, wall sockets, computer parts, automotive parts, luggage, aircraft applications, helmets, chairs, tables, containers, etc. The application of ABS is infinite! One of the reasons why ABS is widely used is because it is also a cheap plastic. ABS should not be used for items that withstand high temperatures because it has a lower melting point compared to other plastics. This type of plastic is opaque and can be easily colored with different pigments. After cooling, ABS can make the surface smooth and smooth.
Is ABS a toxic substance?
No, ABS is not a toxic substance. It is used in many children's toys because compared to other plastics, its harm is relatively small. It does not have any known carcinogens, and so far, there have been no serious health defects related to ABS. However, despite this, ABS has not been used for medical implants or any other such medical purposes.
What are the different characteristics of ABS?
1. The recycling number for ABS and products made from ABS is 7.
2. The composition of ABS is 50% styrene, while the remaining 50% is butadiene and acrylonitrile.
3. It has high impact toughness even at low temperatures.
4. Low melting point, flammable, producing a large amount of smoke.
5. This type of plastic has limited weather resistance.
6. ABS is very easy to process. Whether it's drilling, milling, or sawing, all of these processes can be easily carried out using ABS.
7. It is a cheap material with high recyclability.
How is ABS recycled?
When the plastic recycling device receives plastic, the first step is to cut all plastic fragments into small pieces. Then, use a water system with different water flow rates to filter out all other pollutants (such as metals and unwanted plastics). Recycle ABS from these plastic parts and mix it with the original ABS to make a new product.