Spartech manufactures ABS and HIPS sheet for thermoforming according to customer specifications: color matching, texture, gauge, and additives. Its FormPro® brand, for general use, and Royalite® brand, for flame-retardant and specialty grades, are produced at U.S. plants with ISO 9001-certified quality systems.
What are ABS and HIPS?
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a thermoplastic with high impact strength, high modulus, and a good heat deflection temperature; Spartech recommends it for deep thermoforming. HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) is more economical, easy to process, and allows for control over color and gloss, making it the material of choice for displays, refrigerator interiors, and printed graphics.
Technical Advantages
- Custom Formulation: color matching, texture catalog (Haircell, Suede, Sandgrain, Matte, among others), and the development of proprietary textures.
- FormPro® and ABS Grades: 1101 Premium, 1102 Base, and 1103 Utility in high gloss; 1111 and 1112 in low gloss.
- Flame retardant: Royalite® FR grades with a UL 94 V-0 rating in the gauge specified in their technical data sheet, such as R15 and R574 (FR/ABS) or R926 (PC/ABS).
- Exterior: ABS can be co-extruded with acrylic or ASA, or laminated with Korad® films, for greater weather resistance.
- Special degrees: High-temperature ABS (Royalite R12, HDT of 220 °F), low-temperature impact-resistant ABS (R20), and ABS formulated for food contact in accordance with FDA and NSF standards (R26).
Applications in Mexico
Interior trim and panels on the automotive industry and agricultural machinery, equipment housings, and covers in manufacturing and OEM, cabin interiors in aviation featuring Royalite® grades designed for FAR 25.853, POP displays, and refrigerator interiors.
ABS or HIPS: How to Choose
- ABS: Deep-drawn parts, heavy-duty parts, or parts exposed to high temperatures; thermoforming at 340 to 390 °F.
- HIPS: Parts with lower mechanical requirements, graphics, and interiors, at the lowest cost; thermoforming at 330 to 350 °F.
- Royalite® FR: when the project standard requires a flame classification.
List ABS, HIPS, and Spartech with COPAL México
We are representatives of Spartech in Mexico. Send us the item, the size, the color, or a sample to match, along with the annual volume in the quote form; the size and exact classification of each grade are specified in its technical data sheet.