--- title: "ABS Plastic Machining & Molding | Enclosures & Prototypes | OpenSpindle" description: "Get quotes for custom ABS plastic parts from qualified manufacturing partners. Machined, 3D-printed, and injection-molded enclosures, housings, and prototypes. Upload a drawing." canonical: https://openspindle.com/materials/abs --- # Get quotes for custom ABS plastic parts ABS is the everyday engineering thermoplastic: tough, impact-resistant, easy to machine and mold, and cheap. It is the default for enclosures, housings, and functional prototypes. Upload your drawing and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners. ## ABS grades and variants shops run most ABS comes in a few standard variants tuned for strength, temperature, or process. These are the ones you will see quoted. ### Standard ABS The general-purpose grade: tough, impact-resistant, dimensionally stable, and easy to machine, glue, and paint. The default for enclosures and prototypes. **Best for:** Enclosures, housings, covers, prototypes ### PC-ABS blend A polycarbonate-ABS blend with higher strength, stiffness, and heat resistance than plain ABS while keeping good processability. Common in automotive and electronics. **Best for:** Higher-strength enclosures, automotive interior ### Flame-retardant (FR) ABS An additive grade that meets UL 94 flammability ratings for electrical and electronic housings. **Best for:** Electrical enclosures needing a UL rating ### ABS 3D-printing filament The classic FDM filament: strong, slightly flexible prints with good layer adhesion, printed in an enclosure to control warping. **Best for:** Functional FDM prototypes and fixtures ### Injection-molding ABS Pelletized resin for injection molding at production volumes, giving smooth cosmetic surfaces and consistent parts. **Best for:** Production enclosures and consumer parts ## Material Properties Representative values for standard injection-molding-grade ABS. Exact numbers vary by grade and process. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Density | ~1.05 g/cm³ (0.038 lb/in³) | | Tensile strength | ~6 ksi (40 MPa) | | Impact resistance | High; tough and does not shatter | | Max service temp | ~80-90 °C (175-195 °F) | | Machinability | Excellent; cuts clean and fast | | Chemical resistance | Fair; attacked by many solvents | | UV resistance | Poor unless a UV-stabilized or painted grade | | Finishing | Glues, paints, and vapor-smooths well | ABS is opaque and takes paint and glue well, which is why it dominates cosmetic enclosures. It is not UV-stable outdoors without coating. ## Stock Forms - **Sheet & plate** -- Machined and thermoformed panels, enclosures, and covers. - **Rod** -- Turned bushings, spacers, and cylindrical parts. - **Pellet (molding)** -- Injection-molding resin for production runs. ## Processes That Run This Material - [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md) -- Milled enclosures, housings, and prototypes from sheet and block. - [3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/3d-printing.md) -- FDM prints for functional prototypes and fixtures. - [Injection Molding](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/injection-molding.md) -- Production enclosures and consumer parts at volume. - [CNC Turning](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-turning.md) -- Turned bushings, spacers, and knobs from rod. - [Vapor Smoothing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/vapor-smoothing.md) -- Smooth, sealed, injection-like surfaces on printed ABS. ## Finishes ABS takes finishing better than most plastics, which is why it is the enclosure default. - **Painted** -- ABS primes and paints cleanly for cosmetic enclosures in any color, including soft-touch coatings. - **Vapor smoothing** -- A vapor treatment that melts the outer surface of printed ABS to a smooth, glossy, injection-like finish. - **Bead blast** -- A uniform matte texture that hides tool or layer marks before painting. - **As-machined / as-printed** -- Bare parts ship as-machined or as-printed for internal and non-cosmetic use. - **Bonded / glued** -- ABS solvent-welds and glues well for multi-part assemblies. For cosmetic parts, call out the paint color and finish, and note any UL flammability rating your enclosure needs. ## Applications - Consumer electronics - Enclosures & housings - Automotive interior - Robotics & automation - Medical devices - Consumer products ABS is everywhere a tough, cheap, paintable enclosure or prototype is needed. ## How It Compares How ABS compares to the other plastics shops quote most. ### [Polycarbonate](https://openspindle.com/materials/polycarbonate.md) - Polycarbonate is much stronger, more impact-resistant, and can be optically clear - ABS is cheaper, easier to machine and finish, and paints better for cosmetic parts - A PC-ABS blend splits the difference for tougher enclosures **Verdict:** Choose ABS for cheap, paintable cosmetic enclosures. Choose polycarbonate for strength, clarity, or impact resistance. ### [Nylon](https://openspindle.com/materials/nylon.md) - Nylon is tougher, more wear- and chemical-resistant, and better for functional mechanical parts - ABS is more dimensionally stable, easier to finish, and better for cosmetic enclosures - Nylon absorbs moisture and can move dimensionally; ABS stays put **Verdict:** Choose ABS for stable, paintable enclosures. Choose nylon for tough, wear-resistant functional and mechanical parts. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can ABS be machined, or only molded? Both. ABS machines cleanly and quickly from sheet, plate, and rod for one-off and low-volume parts, and it injection-molds at production volume. For a handful of enclosures, machining or 3D printing is usually faster and cheaper than cutting a mold; for thousands, injection molding wins. ### What is the difference between ABS and PC-ABS? PC-ABS is a polycarbonate-ABS blend that is stronger, stiffer, and more heat-resistant than plain ABS while staying easy to process. It is common in automotive interiors and electronics that need more strength than standard ABS. Plain ABS is cheaper and fine for most enclosures. ### Is ABS good for outdoor parts? Not without protection. Standard ABS is not UV-stable and will chalk and become brittle in sunlight, so outdoor parts need a UV-stabilized grade or a painted or coated surface. For a demanding outdoor part, ASA or a coated polycarbonate may be a better choice. ### Can 3D-printed ABS get a smooth injection-like finish? Yes, with vapor smoothing, which melts the outer surface to a smooth, glossy, sealed finish that resembles an injection-molded part. It also improves water-tightness. Note if you want printed parts vapor-smoothed and which surfaces matter cosmetically. ### What files should I send for an ABS part? A STEP model plus a dimensioned PDF for machined parts, or an STL for printed parts. Include the ABS grade or variant (standard, PC-ABS, FR), color and finish for cosmetic parts, any UL flammability rating, critical tolerances, and quantity so the shop recommends machining, printing, or molding. ## Related Materials - [Polycarbonate](https://openspindle.com/materials/polycarbonate.md) - [Nylon](https://openspindle.com/materials/nylon.md) - [Delrin](https://openspindle.com/materials/delrin.md) - [PEEK](https://openspindle.com/materials/peek.md) - [Aluminum](https://openspindle.com/materials/aluminum.md) - [Carbon Fiber](https://openspindle.com/materials/carbon-fiber.md) ## Get ABS part quotes Upload your drawing and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners that machine, print, and mold ABS.