What is ABS?
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, commonly known as ABS, is a polymer and opaque thermoplastic, comprised of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. ABS is an incredibly versatile and durable plastic, meaning it is an extremely popular material and used in a variety of industries. As well as the furniture industry, some well-known examples of ABS use include LEGO and computer keyboard keys.
The materials within ABS all possess individual qualities. For example, the acrylonitrile gives ABS chemical and thermal stability, while the butadiene adds strength and durability. The styrene is what gives ABS its polished, glossy finish. ABS has a low melting point, meaning it can be easily moulded into specialist shapes.
Advantages of ABS
At MFL, we often use ABS within our panelling and Edge Banding services. This is because of ABS’ many highly sought-after properties, including but not limited to:
Sustainability
Durability
Aesthetic
Ease of maintenance
We’ll break each one down for you below.
Sustainability
ABS possesses similar qualities to PVC (also known as Polymerizing Vinyl Chloride) but is often seen as a more sustainable alternative. PVC is used regularly within the furniture industry, as it’s extremely durable and long-lasting. However, unlike PVC, ABS doesn’t contain potentially harmful chlorine and is also considered to be more shock resistant.
Because of its low melting point, ABS is also much easier to reuse and recycle than PVC. ABS can be heated, cooled, and remoulded several times, without affecting its sturdiness or overall quality. For those who are more eco-conscious or concerned about the environment, ABS’ versatile and recyclable nature makes it a more sustainable option for home or office panelling and furniture.
Durability
Another reason why we choose to use ABS at MFL is its superior durability. The butadiene used within ABS adds to its superior strength and resilience versus traditional materials. It can absorb shock regularly and reliably, meaning it is increasingly resistant to day-to-day impact damage. Its toughness makes ABS the ideal material for creating long-lasting and hard-wearing panelling and furniture.
Aesthetic
Not only is ABS practical, but it is an ideal material to showcase striking appealing colours. ABS’ smooth, glossy surface means it is compatible with a range of paints and adhesives if you’re looking for a unique-to-you finish, and it can also be dyed to exact shades to meet personal taste and project specifications. ABS can also be moulded to have different surface textures if your design requires a more distinctive look.
Ease of maintenance
ABS is incredibly easy to clean and maintain, reducing the need for vigorous cleaning and unnecessary water wastage. To clean ABS, all that is required is a soft cloth, soap and water. Its simple maintenance is another reason why it’s such a popular choice within the furniture industry.
In summary, ABS is an amazingly adaptable and customisable product and is ready to be tailored to suit your design needs. ABS provides another opportunity for us to help you bring your design to life.
If you’re interested in learning more about ABS, or the panelling and edge banding services MFL has to offer, contact us to discuss with one of our experts. We’re available via email at hello@mfl.uk.com or alternatively, give us a call, at 024 7662 1122.