ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a widely used, highly versatile, opaque thermoplastic polymer that features low cost, light weight, ease of injection molding and extruding, high toughness, rigidity, impact resistance, ease of machining, ease of coloring and adding surface textures, good electrical properties and generally non-toxicity. It is also more durable than many other materials, with a lifespan of approximately 50 years. Moreover, it melts when heated and is thus easy to recycle.
Disadvantages include a relative low melting point, poor solvent and fatigue resistance, and degradable by exposure to ultraviolet light and from weathering without special protection. Also, toxic gases are released during melting and combustion, although they are less harmful than for some other widely used plastics. Moreover, although ABS is theoretically easy to recycle, it often does not get recycled, in part because of the cost of separating it from other plastics, and thus it frequently is incinerated or buried in landfills.
The largest uses of ABS are household and consumer products, including piping, musical instruments, automobile trim, computer cases, medical equipment, small kitchen appliances, luggage and toys.