CNC Machining Materials

ABS

At a glance

Processes

CNC Mill
CNC Lathe

Lead Time

As fast as 3 days

Colors

Black, neutral matte finish

Tolerance

With drawing: as low as +/- 0.005 mm
No drawing: ISO 2768 medium

Price

$

Applications

Impact-resistant applications, production-like parts (pre-injection molding)

About the Material

ABS is a low-cost engineering plastic, widely used for pre-injection molding prototypes. CNC machined ABS is a great option for production-like parts, where detail and mechanical properties are important.

Material Properties

Tensile Strength

5,100 PSI

Elongation at Break

40%

Hardness

Rockwell R100

Density

0.969 g/㎤
0.035 lbs / cu. in.

Maximum Temperature

160° F

McMaster Part Number

8586K66

Material Finish

ABS has a somewhat matte finish (think lego bricks) and can be painted. Certain faces may appear more shiny depending on their geometry and how they’re machined. If painting ABS parts, finish will be dependant of the choice of paint.

Design Recommendations

Max Part Size

1200 x 500 x 152 mm [x, y, z] (mill)
152 x 394 mm [d, l] (lathe)

Min End Mill Size

0.8mm
(0.03 in)

Min Drill Size

0.5mm (0.02 in)

Min Wall Thickness

0.5 mm

Undercuts

Square profile, full radius, dovetail profiles

Radii : Depth

Depth must not exceed 12x drill bit diameter.
For end mills, depth must not exceed 10x tool diameter.

Cost Saving Tip

To reduce costs, limit the number of part setups, the number of inspection dimensions or tight tolerances, and deep pockets with small radii.

Visit our CNC Machining Services Page

ABS FAQs

Can ABS plastic be machined?

ABS plastic is a low-cost engineering plastic, widely used for pre-injection molding prototypes. CNC machined ABS is a great option for production-like parts, where detail and mechanical properties are important.

What is the best way to cut ABS plastic?

Depending on the desired outcome for the project, ABS plastic can either be cut or engraved using CNC milling.

Common uses of CNC machined ABS plastic?

ABS plastic is an excellent choice for general purpose prototyping, pre-molding prototypes, parts that will receive impact and require toughness, or when low cost is desired.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN

An Inside Look at CNC Machining: From Raw Material to Finished Goods

CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing technique that uses computer-controlled machines to turn raw materials into finished products. It’s a detailed and efficient process used across industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing. The process starts by using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create a 2D drawing, 3D solid model, or both. This design […]

Learn More

Engineering Fundamentals Refresh: Mechanical Creep (Deformation)

In mechanical engineering, creep is a metallurgical phenomenon where a metal slowly deforms due to prolonged exposure to stress below its yield strength. Read on to learn more about creep and how it works, then see some visual creep depictions and examples.  What is Mechanical Creep? In Engineering Fundamentals Refresh: Strength vs. Stiffness vs. Hardness, […]

Learn More