ABS+PP , Acrilonitrilo Butadieno Estireno + Polipropileno

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is one of the most used technical plastics in the industry and in the world of 3D printing. It is an amorphous thermoplastic, which means that it does not have a defined crystalline structure, which gives it very interesting properties.

Its number comes from the three monomers that make it up, each contributing a key characteristic:

Acrylonitrile: Provides chemical resistance and thermal stability.

Butadiene: Provides toughness and resistance to impact, even at low temperatures.

Styrene: Offers rigidity and ease of processing (gloss and surface finish).

What is it for?
ABS is valued for being a hard, rigid and impact-resistant material, as well as being relatively light. Its applications are very varied:

1. Industrial Manufacturing and Consumer Products
Housings and covers: It is the standard material for housings of household appliances (vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, computer keyboards) due to its durability.

Automotive: It is used in car interior parts, such as dashboards and door panels, due to its resistance to heat and wear.

Toys: It is the classic material with which LEGO pieces are made, thanks to its ability to fit under pressure and maintain its shape over time.

2. 3D printing
It is one of the most popular filaments in 3D printing (especially in FDM/FFF technology):

Functional parts: Due to its high mechanical and thermal resistance (withstands higher temperatures than PLA before deforming).

Post-processing: ABS has a unique advantage: it can be chemically smoothed using acetone vapors, which allows to obtain very smooth and shiny finishes, almost as if the piece had been injected into a mold.

3. Engineering applications
Pipes and conduits: Especially in industrial plumbing systems and swimming pools, where resistance to pressure and chemical agents is required.

Luggage: Very used in rigid suitcases because it absorbs shocks well without breaking.

High impact resistance Can release toxic fumes when melted (ventilation required).
Resistant to heat It is difficult to print in 3D because it tends to deform (warping) if the temperature is not constant.
Easy to machine Requires a warm leg for 3D printing.
Light and durable It is not biodegradable.

When a product indicates that it is made of a mixture of ABS + PP (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene + Polypropylene), it means that an alloy or composite (blend) of both polymers has been created to combine the best properties of each.

On their own, ABS and PP have different chemical natures, and mixing them is a complex process that generally requires the use of compatibilizing agents so that they "get along".

Why are they mixed? (The goal of the alloy)
The main objective of this mixture is to balance the strengths and weaknesses of each material:

What ABS provides: It provides rigidity, dimensional stability, surface hardness and ease of obtaining shiny or decorative finishes.

What PP provides: It provides better chemical resistance, greater flexibility (reduces the fragility of ABS), is lighter and generally more economical.

By combining them, a material is sought that is more resistant to impact and less brittle than pure ABS, but more rigid and aesthetically superior to pure PP.

What is this combination (ABS + PP) for?
This type of compound is mainly used in applications where an optimal balance between cost and technical performance is required, especially in sectors such as:

Automotive industry: It is used in interior components and panels where it is necessary that the piece does not break in the face of an impact (flexibility of PP), but that it maintains its shape and looks good without being deformed by the heat of the passenger compartment (stiffness of ABS).

Consumer Electronics: In device casings where it is sought that the plastic is not as rigid and "crunchy" as ABS, improving its resistance to falls.

Articles for the home: In pieces that need some resistance to chemicals (cleaners) thanks to PP, but that need to be painted or decorated (ABS accepts paints and finishes better than pure PP).

Industrial Boxes and Containers: We are looking for a material that can withstand the rough handling of a warehouse (impact resistance) without cracking.

Summary of characteristics of the mixture:
Property................................... Blending effect (ABS + PP)
Impact resistance.................Improved (becomes less fragile than ABS).
Flexibility...................................Greater than ABS, but less than PP.
Cost....................................Generally more competitive (PP usually lowers the total cost).
Surface finish........................Good, although it can be slightly more matte than pure ABS.
Chemical Resistance.....................Better than pure ABS.