ABS Resin
The ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin supplied by Chelora Chemicals — a rubber-toughened engineering styrenic combining stiffness, impact resistance and good surface finish — exported from Indonesia as virgin pellet with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What ABS Resin is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of how three different monomers combine into one resin, how that combination governs its performance, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
ABS is a graft terpolymer built from three monomers that each contribute a distinct property: styrene contributes processability, gloss and rigidity; acrylonitrile contributes chemical resistance, heat resistance and hardness; and butadiene, present as a finely dispersed rubber phase grafted onto a styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) matrix, contributes impact resistance and toughness. The ratio of these three monomers is varied to produce grades spanning from high-gloss, moderate-impact general purpose material to high-impact, lower-gloss grades for demanding structural applications.
At room temperature it is supplied as an opaque ivory to natural-coloured pellet, readily tinted to any colour by the moulder. It processes on standard injection-moulding and extrusion-sheet equipment and takes a high-quality surface finish well, which is a large part of its appeal for visible consumer and appliance parts.
Where it fits in the value chain
ABS occupies a performance niche between the commodity styrenics (polystyrene) and true engineering resins (polycarbonate, nylon): tougher and more heat-resistant than polystyrene, but easier to process and lower in cost than polycarbonate. It is the dominant resin for appliance and electronics housings, automotive interior trim and instrument panel components, and is widely used in pipe fittings and, uniquely among commodity resins, in parts intended for decorative electroplating, since its butadiene-rich surface can be chemically etched to key a metal coating.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers ABS across general-purpose, high-impact, flame-retardant and electroplating-grade formulations. Each grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis covering melt flow rate, heat deflection temperature and impact strength.
How ABS Resin is produced
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
ABS is manufactured predominantly by an emulsion-grafting process: polybutadiene rubber latex is first prepared separately, then styrene and acrylonitrile monomers are grafted onto the surface of the rubber particles by free-radical polymerisation, producing a core-shell rubber-toughening agent. This grafted rubber is then blended, in carefully controlled proportions, with separately produced styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer matrix resin, either during the same continuous process or by later melt-compounding, to reach the target grade's rubber content and particle-size distribution.
A smaller volume of ABS is made by continuous bulk or mass polymerisation, grafting styrene and acrylonitrile directly onto dissolved polybutadiene rubber in a single continuous reactor train without the separate emulsion and blending steps. Either route's key controls — rubber particle size, rubber content, and the SAN matrix's own styrene-to-acrylonitrile ratio and molecular weight — together determine the finished grade's balance of gloss, impact resistance and heat resistance.
Industries and processes that use it
ABS is consumed across appliance housings, automotive interior parts, electronics enclosures and electroplated decorative parts. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Appliance & Electronics Housings
Injection-moulded into housings for household appliances, power tools and consumer electronics, valued for its surface finish and impact resistance.
Automotive Interior & Trim
Moulded into dashboard components, interior trim and instrument panel parts where impact resistance and paintability are needed.
Pipe Fittings & Profiles
Extruded into pipe fittings, profiles and sheet for applications needing rigidity and chemical resistance beyond general-purpose styrenics.
Electroplated Decorative Parts
Electroplating-grade ABS is chemically etched and plated with a metal finish for automotive badges, plumbing fixtures and decorative hardware.
How the resin is typically converted forward
The rubber-toughened, graft-terpolymer structure governs almost all of ABS's further processing behaviour. The categories below account for most of the ways it is converted into a finished part.
Injection Moulding
Melted and injected into a mould cavity under pressure to form housings, trim parts and technical components with a high-quality surface finish.
Sheet Extrusion & Thermoforming
Extruded into sheet, then thermoformed into larger parts such as appliance liners and vehicle body panels.
Electroplating Preparation
The exposed butadiene-rich surface phase is selectively etched with a chromic/sulphuric acid treatment, creating a micro-roughened surface that keys a subsequently deposited metal layer.
Blending with Polycarbonate (PC/ABS)
Melt-blended with polycarbonate to produce PC/ABS alloys combining ABS's processability with polycarbonate's higher heat resistance and toughness.
ABS against related monomer and resin products we supply
Buyers sourcing ABS resin sometimes also need one of its constituent monomers, or a related engineering or styrenic resin. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS Resin | 9003-56-9 | Rubber-toughened styrenic terpolymer | The product on this page — a stiff, impact-resistant engineering styrenic. |
| 1,3-Butadiene | 106-99-0 | Diene monomer | The rubber-forming monomer grafted into the ABS matrix for impact resistance — see its product page. |
| Polystyrene (GPPS/HIPS) | 9003-53-6 | Amorphous styrenic resin | A related, lower-cost styrenic resin without acrylonitrile's chemical resistance — see its product page. |
| Polycarbonate | 24936-68-3 | Engineering thermoplastic | A higher-heat-resistance engineering resin often alloyed with ABS (PC/ABS) — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and processing specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than ABS Resin.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Not classified as hazardous under GHS in solid pellet form.
Combustible; pellets and especially fine dust can support combustion once ignited.
Minimise accumulation of polymer dust/fines, which present a greater ignition risk than pellets.
Processing equipment handles the resin molten; standard hot-surface and fume-extraction precautions apply at the extruder.
Standard gloves and eye protection are sufficient for routine handling of pellets.
May emit irritant fumes, including trace hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides, if processed well above normal temperature or involved in a fire.
Not classified; refer to the batch MSDS for grade-specific guidance.
This product has a low hazard profile in its solid pellet form and is not classified as hazardous under GHS. Because it contains acrylonitrile-derived nitrogen content, thermal decomposition well above normal processing temperature or in a fire can generate irritant and toxic fumes, so adequate fume extraction at the processing machine and standard fire precautions in storage are advised. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a dry, ambient-temperature warehouse, out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, since ABS is moderately hygroscopic and absorbed moisture can cause surface defects (splay) in moulded parts if not dried before processing. Keep bags sealed to prevent moisture pickup and contamination with other resin grades. Re-check melt flow rate and dry thoroughly before processing material held past its retest date.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of ABS Resin leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, colour and key physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is ABS Resin used for?+
02What do the three letters in ABS stand for?+
03How is ABS Resin produced?+
04What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is ABS Resin hazardous?+
06Why is ABS preferred over plain polystyrene for appliance housings?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply the butadiene monomer and related resins as well?+
Need ABS Resin on spec, on time?
Send us your required grade, melt flow rate, impact requirement, quantity and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.