At One Place

ABS

Density of ABS
1,050 kg/m³ (1,030–1,080)
1.05 g/cm³ · 65.5 lb/ft³

Amorphous, so it has no melting point at all: it softens gradually from about 105 °C, which is exactly what makes it easy to injection mould and to vacuum form. It takes a solvent weld with acetone, which glues, smooths and repairs it in one step — polypropylene and polyethylene will do none of that. It yellows and goes brittle in sunlight unless pigmented or coated, which is why old white ABS console shells turn beige.

Properties

Density
1,050 kg/m³ (1,030–1,080) — 1.05 g/cm³
Tensile strength
30–50 MPa
Young's modulus
2.3 GPa
Thermal conductivity
0.17 W/(m·K)
Thermal expansion
90 µm/(m·K)
Floats in water
No
Magnetic
No

What it is used for

  • Lego bricks and toys
  • Car interior trim and wheel covers
  • Appliance and power tool housings
  • Drain and waste pipe

How it compares

Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything with a shorter bar than water floats in it.

air 1.2 kg/m³
expanded polystyrene foam 20 kg/m³
rigid polyurethane foam 40 kg/m³
Water — the float line 1,000 kg/m³
ABS 1,050 kg/m³
tungsten 19,250 kg/m³
gold 19,300 kg/m³
platinum 21,450 kg/m³
Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything below that floats.
Material Density Relative to water
rigid polyurethane foam 40 kg/m³ 0.04×
expanded polystyrene foam 20 kg/m³ 0.02×
air 1.2 kg/m³ 0.00×
ABS ← 1,050 kg/m³ 1.05×
platinum 21,450 kg/m³ 21.45×
gold 19,300 kg/m³ 19.30×
tungsten 19,250 kg/m³ 19.25×

Does it rust?

ABS contains no iron, so it cannot rust. Whether it degrades depends on the material, not on oxidation.

Is it magnetic?

ABS is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

Common questions

What is the density of ABS?
1,050 kg/m³ (1,030–1,080), or 1.05 g/cm³.
Does ABS float?
No. At 1,050 kg/m³ it is denser than water.
Is ABS magnetic?
ABS is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked