ABS vs. ASA Plastics: Differences and Similarities

Various types of engineering grade thermoplastics have become increasingly popular over the years, with ABS and ASA being two popular types among them. Both of these thermoplastics differ in terms of durability, physical, and chemical properties. Based on these differences, thermoplastics are used more in some applications than others. What are these characteristics? Which of these thermoplastics is suitable for outdoor applications? What are the common applications of these thermoplastics? This article not only discusses these thermoplastics in detail but also answers these questions. A Basic Introduction to ABS and Its Properties As we all know, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a thermoplastic resin that is widely used to make various types of exterior enclosures. Its durability makes it a good plastic in the thermoplastic and injection molding industries. The following properties make it a common choice for a variety of routine and challenging applications. The polybutadiene rubber in this plastic increases its impact resistance and flexibility. The styrene monomer makes it shiny, hard, and increases its chemical resistance. The flowability of ABS melt is better than PVC and PC, but worse than PE, PA, and PS, and similar to POM and HIPS. The flow characteristics of ABS belong to non-Newtonian fluids. Its melt viscosity is related to both processing temperature and shear rate, but it is more sensitive to shear rate. ABS is an amorphous polymer with no obvious melting point; it has high melt viscosity, poor fluidity, poor weather resistance, and can be discolored by ultraviolet rays; the heat deformation temperature is 93~118℃, and the product can be increased by about 10℃ after annealing. It is sensitive to temperature and shear rate; ABS can still show a certain toughness at -40℃ and can be used in the temperature range of -40~100℃. This plastic has excellent rigidity and stability at high temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius. Plastic ABS is not affected by water, inorganic salts, alkalis and various acids, but is soluble in ketones, aldehydes and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It will produce stress cracking when eroded by glacial acetic acid, vegetable oils, etc. ABS has poor weather resistance and is easily degraded under the action of ultraviolet light; after six months outdoors, the impact strength drops by half. Parts made of ABS are more common in industries such as commercial-grade electronics, home appliances, and telecommunications, where lightweight yet durable parts are preferred. Today, plastic manufacturers are creating various ABS blends by varying the proportions of plasticizers to meet specific application requirements.

Overview of ASA Plastics and Their Properties  ASA is a copolymer of acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate rubbers and its chemical properties are almost identical to ABS, except that polybutadiene is replaced by acrylate rubber. The following properties of this plastic make it increasingly popular in the plastic manufacturing industry! The acrylate groups in this resin make it UV-resistant, which also increases its chemical resistance. Being strong and durable, coupled with its UV resistance, makes it a suitable choice for a wide range of automotive parts. ASA plastic resins are attractive for their smooth surface and are used to make parts for medical electronics. Due to its typical molecular structure and properties, ASA plastics can withstand ambient temperatures, as well as extremely cold or hot temperatures. In addition to the automotive industry, this resin is also used to make dashboards, hoods, lighting, and electrical components.

Both ASA and ABS plastics guarantee excellent machinability, affordability, and a wide range of colors to choose from, which increases their popularity in various industries. Resin grades from different brands have different properties, which may limit their use in certain applications. Therefore, it is important to understand their properties before making a purchase. If you are considering using these thermoplastics for your next project, be sure to purchase them from a trusted supplier, such as Novista Chemicals Group, which offers these resins in a variety of forms and quantities and provides customers with application solutions. Over the years, the company has been renowned in various countries and regions for its high quality and excellent service.