Expert ABS Plastic Fabrication
Benefits of ABS
ABS is prized for its exceptional toughness, rigid structure, and high heat resistance, making it the premier choice for demanding industrial and engineering components.
Key Properties of ABS
- Superior impact resistance and shock absorption
- High structural rigidity and dimensional stability
- Excellent heat deflection temperatures
- Ideal for vacuum forming and deep-draw moulding
- High scratch resistance and matte/textured finish options
- Outstanding CNC machinability and drilling characteristics
- Lightweight yet heavy-duty performance
- Strong adhesive bonding and sonic welding capabilities
These attributes make ABS the definitive material choice for fabricated parts that require maximum durability, thermal stability, and long-term mechanical reliability.
ABS Fabrication Services at Dipec
With decades of technical expertise and a suite of high-performance equipment, Dipec provides precision ABS fabrication tailored to your exact engineering and industrial specifications.
CNC Machining & Milling
We provide high-tolerance CNC routing and milling for ABS, a material renowned for its excellent machinability. This allows us to produce complex, clean-edged components with intricate details for automotive, electronic, and industrial enclosures.
Vacuum Forming & Deep-Draw Moulding
ABS is an industry leader for thermoforming. Our team excels at vacuum forming and line bending this material, creating high-strength 3D shapes and housings that maintain consistent wall thickness and structural rigidity.
ABS Bonding & Sonic Welding
We utilise advanced solvent bonding and mechanical assembly techniques to create permanent, high-strength joins. This ensures that multi-part housings and heavy-duty assemblies remain robust under mechanical stress.
Precision Cutting & Sheet Preparation
Utilising advanced CNC saws, we accurately size and trim ABS panels to your requirements. This ensures consistent dimensions and high-quality edge finishes across every batch, whether for individual panels or large-scale production.
Surface Finishing & Painting
Unlike many other plastics, ABS has a high surface energy that makes it ideal for secondary finishes. We provide professional edge preparation and can prepare surfaces for painting or texturing to meet specific aesthetic or protective requirements.
Prototyping & High-Volume Production
From rapid functional prototypes to full-scale manufacturing runs, our in-house facility at Dipec ensures all ABS parts are delivered with tight tolerances and exceptional mechanical consistency.
Common Applications of ABS
The extreme toughness, rigidity, and excellent forming characteristics of ABS make it the industry standard for a wide range of demanding technical and industrial applications, including:
- Industrial equipment housings and internal shrouds
- Automotive interior and exterior trim components
- Heavy-duty protective enclosures for electronics
- Transport and transit interior wall panels
- Custom storage trunks and transit cases
- Functional engineering prototypes and structural rigs
- Vacuum-formed trays and material handling containers
ABS Grades & Thicknesses Available
ABS is available in a diverse range of technical grades and surface specifications to suit specific industrial and aesthetic requirements.
Common options include:
- Standard high-impact ABS (Smooth or Pinseal textured)
- Flame-retardant ABS (UL94 V-0 rated for electronics)
- UV-stabilised ABS for outdoor exposure
- ASA/ABS co-extrusions for superior weather resistance
- Heat-resistant grades for automotive and engine environments
- Recycled/Utility grades for sustainable, cost-effective industrial parts
Thicknesses typically range from 1mm to 10mm, with bespoke speciality sheets and heavy-gauge options available for specific structural projects.
Your Trusted Partner for Expert ABS Fabrication
With decades of experience across diverse engineering sectors, Dipec provides:
✔ Advanced CNC machining and high-definition vacuum forming expertise
✔ Skilled in-house fabricators with deep technical knowledge of ABS properties
✔ Fast turnaround times and competitive pricing for batch production
✔ Full project support, from initial CAD design to final component delivery
✔ Rigorous quality assurance for dimensionally stable, high-impact parts
✔ Proven results across automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing markets
We manufacture ABS components that consistently exceed rigorous mechanical, thermal, and durability requirements.
Need Expert ABS Plastic Fabrication?
Contact Dipec Today for a Quote.
ABS FAQs
ABS has a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of approximately 98°C. While it excels in most commercial settings, for environments exceeding 100°C, we often recommend polycarbonate or nylon composites.
Standard ABS is susceptible to UV degradation, which can lead to brittleness. For outdoor applications, we fabricate using UV-stabilised ABS or an ASA/ABS co-extrusion, which provides a protective weather-resistant outer layer.
While both are “high-impact,” Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable and often used for clear security glazing. ABS is the preferred choice for opaque housings because it offers excellent shock absorption at a significantly lower price point.
We can source and fabricate UL94 V-0 rated ABS, which is specifically engineered to be self-extinguishing. This makes it a standard choice for internal electronic components and power tool casings.
Yes, ABS is a thermoplastic (Group 7) and can be reground and recycled. We also offer recycled ABS grades for industrial utility parts where a high-gloss virgin finish isn’t required.
CNC machining provides superior surface finish, tighter tolerances, and greater structural integrity compared to FDM 3D printing. For production-grade components, machining ensures the part is solid throughout without the “layer line” weaknesses of 3D prints.
Absolutely. ABS has high surface energy, making it one of the best plastics for painting, screen printing, and chrome plating. This makes it ideal for branded retail displays or automotive trim.
ABS is the “gold standard” for vacuum forming because it maintains a consistent wall thickness even with deep-draw moulds. It is more forgiving during the heating process than PETG or Polycarbonate.
ABS offers good resistance to many acids and alkalis. However, it can be compromised by certain solvents, esters, and ketones. We can provide a chemical compatibility chart based on your specific environment.
Standard industrial ABS sheets are typically available up to 2440mm x 1220mm, but we may be able to source larger specialty sizes for architectural or transit panels upon request.
Yes. ABS is exceptionally easy to bond. We use solvent welding for a chemical bond that is as strong as the material itself, or ultrasonic welding for high-speed production assembly.
Due to its low thermal conductivity, ABS can warp if too much heat builds up. At Dipec, we use specialised cooling and optimised feed rates to ensure your parts remain dimensionally stable.
We stock or source several finishes, including high-gloss, matte, and ‘pinseal’ (haircell) texture. Textured finishes are highly effective at hiding scuffs and fingerprints in high-traffic industrial environments.
Yes, ABS has a density of roughly 1.04 g/cm3, making it significantly lighter than aluminium or steel while still providing enough rigidity for structural shrouds and covers.
Use mild soap and lukewarm water. Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh solvents (like acetone), which can “melt” the surface of the plastic.
Depending on complexity, we can often deliver CNC machined ABS prototypes within 5-7 working days, allowing for rapid functional testing before full-scale production.
Yes, medical-grade ABS is used extensively for diagnostic equipment housings due to its durability and resistance to common disinfectants.
Like all thermoplastics, ABS can experience creep (permanent deformation) if subjected to high stress over long periods. Our design team can help calculate the correct wall thickness to prevent this.