Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer known for its durability and versatility. Composed of three primary components—styrene, acrylonitrile, and polybutadiene—ABS is characterized by its ability to soften when heated and harden upon cooling, making it ideal for molding into various objects. Its robust nature allows it to withstand impacts and resist breakage, making it a popular choice in manufacturing a variety of products, including car parts, toys like Legos, pipes, and personal protective equipment.
Despite its many advantages, ABS is vulnerable to degradation from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, limiting its use for outdoor applications. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved ABS for food-contact materials, concerns persist regarding potential health hazards associated with its components, particularly for workers exposed to acrylonitrile, which is classified as a carcinogen. Additionally, environmental issues arise from the disposal of plastic products, though ABS is recyclable and can be reprocessed into new materials. Overall, ABS remains a crucial material in many industries due to its cost-effectiveness and favorable physical properties.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a thermoplastic polymer (thermoplast), or manufactured plastic that softens when heated. ABS is made from a combination of styrene, a substance derived from petroleum; acrylonitrile, a chemical used to make acrylic; and polybutadiene, a form of synthetic rubber.
Like other thermoplasts, ABS is heated to a very high temperature in a manufacturing facility and then molded into different objects. ABS retains the new shape after heating and cooling. ABS is very popular with manufacturers due to the qualities of the final product. For example, ABS plastics are quite durable, can sustain impact without damage, and are resistant to breakage.
Additionally, because ABS and other, similar thermoplastic materials can be repeatedly reheated and reshaped, these objects can be recycled.
Properties
ABS has a variety of characteristics that make it attractive to manufacturers, including the following:
relatively low in cost for engineering-grade plastic
highly resistant to chemicals and heat
strong, durable, and resistant to impact
good for machinability/fabrication (in other words, easy to cut, drill, grind, etc., into shape)
excellent aesthetic qualities, making the final product attractive to consumers
ABS is lightweight but strong, stiff, and durable, making it a safe, relatively low-cost choice for the production of goods. In fact, ABS is one of the primary polymers used in the production of consumer goods and household items.
One issue with ABS and similar polymers is their inability to withstand ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. UV radiation can cause the material to degrade over time, making ABS and similar products poor choices for items that are designed to be outdoors all the time. Many manufacturers specify that pipes made of polymer materials be encased or buried so they are not constantly exposed to UV radiation.
Uses
Many products are made from ABS. A few of these include car parts, such as dashboards; pipes used in residential and commercial drainage systems; musical instruments; machinery parts and covers; luggage; appliance parts, such as refrigerator panels; children's toys, such as Legos; medical devices; products produced by means of 3-D printing; and personal protective equipment and helmets.
ABS is also widely used in the manufacture of product prototypes, or preliminary models of products, because it is stable, relatively inexpensive, and easy to paint and glue. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared ABS as safe to use in food-contact substances (FCS), or materials "used in manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food." This includes common kitchen objects such as dishes, cups, plastic utensils, measuring cups, and storage containers. Title 21 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations includes the specifications ABS must meet to qualify as FCS safe.
Health Hazards
Several health hazards are raised in the use of plastics. These focus on consumer exposure to the component elements of plastics; worker exposure to hazardous substances during the manufacturing process; and environmental problems caused by plastics that cannot be recycled.
Consumer Concerns
Some consumers are concerned over the use of ABS and plastics in general, especially in products designed for children or those that are used for storing or heating food. This concern stems from the fact that the chemical components of plastics such as ABS are believed to be carcinogenic, or substances that cause cancer.
Manufacturers' pushback to this concern states that consumers are not normally exposed to the component elements of plastics due to the extremely high temperature required for these products to break down to their component elements. Additionally, in the ordinary course of use, ABS does not leach out of products into food or other substances.
Worker Concerns
The greater health hazard related to ABS is borne by individuals who are exposed to these substances as an occupational hazard, or in the course of their work. For example, acrylonitrile is a known carcinogen. Manufacturing workers who inhale high levels of this substance may experience problems such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, nervous irritability, confusion, low-grade anemia, and mild jaundice. Contact with the skin can cause irritation and blistering. Long-term high exposure can lead to death.
Employers can keep their employees safe by making sure employees understand the hazards and risks of working around these chemicals. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are made available to workers so they understand the risks and hazards of their specific workplace. Additionally, employers are legally required to provide appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) to workers who are exposed to chemical substances and other hazards. PPE might include eye goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, and hard hats.
Environmental Concerns
Many environmentalists are concerned over the number of plastic products that end up in landfills because they cannot be recycled, or because a community does not have the capabilities to recycle them. Consumers should check the laws and regulations where they live to determine what types of plastics are recycled there.
ABS plastics are recyclable. They can be shredded and then separated from other products using a high-velocity water system. The recovered ABS is then blended with new ABS material to produce a usable recycled plastic product.
Bibliography
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"CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Apr. 2015. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm
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