Paper

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a plastic used to make cards and other rigid, moulded products such as piping, Lego, golf club heads and automotive body parts.

Strong and shock absorbent

ABS is a copolymer made by polymerising styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. The acrylonitrile and the styrene provide strength and rigidity, while the butadiene supplies a rubber-like consistency for shock absorption.

It has good resistance to impact, heat, atmospheric humidity and chemicals, though it is flammable. When exposed to high temperatures, it boils and bursts into flame. ABS polymers are also resistant to aqueous acids, alkalis, concentrated hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, alcohols and animal, vegetable and mineral oils.

High print quality

The high opacity of ABS resin makes it well suited for graphic-heavy card applications such as branded access cards and ID cards. For personalisation, retransfer printers are required as ABS cards are not compatible with standard direct card printers.

ABS comes in grades with varying proportions of ingredients and additives for different properties. In terms of price, it is comparable to PVC, though much more durable.

Plastic Identification Code 7 (shared with PC and others)