ABS vs Polystyrene

[Drago]

Hi guys.

Technical question for experts:

It is known that ABS plastic has different chemical properties of the polystyrene plastic.

However, can we normally use the ABS plastic in the hobby? The types of glues that we used to apply can be used with ABS plastic? Can we join original polystyrene pieces that came from kits with ABS plastic parts without any concern? Will be merged? Strong? No problem at all?

It would be nice to read about experiences from someone who already did some tests

[Art Anderson]

ABS is the acronym for Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which is a polymerized blend of the three plastic compounds in its name. While it contains styrene, it cannot be glued to polystyrene (what our plastic model kits are molded from) with solvent-based plastic cements, as the styrene in ABS is locked up in the polymer, even though ABS can be glued to itself with any liquid cement formulated for use with the stuff, just as styrene can be glued to styrene with the very same solvents--it just doesn't work very well to try using solvent-based glues to join a piece of styrene to a piece of ABS.

For gluing ABS to polystyrene model kit parts, the only thing I have found that works well at all is CA glue (Superglue, if you will) but that is a bit problematic where strength is required.

Fortunately, ABS doesn't get used much in model car kits, and even the old, original Plastruct ABS shapes of strip, sheet, angle, Tee, and rod or tubing is almost a thing of the past since the rise of styrene shapes from Evergreen, even Plastruct themselves.

Art

Art

[Drago]

That's all I would like to know! Right on the point!

Thanks a lot Art.