Styrene polymers take styrene as a monomer. General purpose Polystyrene (PS) is the main polymer in this category by volume of consumption, followed by acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Polystyrene properties make it ideal for a large number of applications in many industries, such as construction, packaging and consumer goods.
With its transparency Polystyrene provides relatively good strength and weatherability. It flows easily, making it suitable for use in moulding for the manufacture of products such as toys, CD-DVD cases and plastic cups. It has a clear, high gloss finish.
High impact polystyrene (HIPS) consists of clear PS and rubber which makes it opaque and white. It is a versatile, economical and impact resistant polymer that is easy to process. It is frequently used in the processing of semi-finished prototypes, as it has excellent dimensional stability and is easy to transform, paint and stick.
Acrylnitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is an amorphous Terpolymer with good strength and impact properties and allows processing to applications with glossy surface like automotive parts, toys, housing, household and consumer goods.
Transparent ABS (M-ABS) provides excellent transparency as well as good mechanical properties. It is used in various applications requiring transparency like electronic devices, frames and panels, householding. Processing and moulding conditions are similar to ABS.
Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) has moderately low ductility compared with other thermoplastics, and is very commonly used instead of polystyrene due to its higher thermal resistance.