Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Sheets & Filament for Sale in South Africa - Price & Stock at Communica

Why Choose Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)?

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS, has become a staple thermoplastic for South African hobbyists, engineers, and educators. Its combination of strength, impact resistance, and superb machinability make it ideal for functional prototypes, robust mechanical housings, and medium-duty end-use parts. ABS is also one of the most common 3D printing materials, widely supported by desktop and industrial-grade FDM printers.

ABS for Sale at Communica

Communica offers an extensive range of ABS products, including:

• ABS sheets in various thicknesses and sheet sizes for panel work, protective covers, and CNC machining.
• ABS 3D printing filament (1.75mm and 2.85mm) from popular brands compatible with most open-format FDM printers.
• Enclosure kits, perfboard panels, and accessories purpose-moulded from ABS for custom electronics builds.

Whether you require an individual sheet for a custom covering or bulk filament for your lab, Communica's local stock and transparent pricing suit both small orders and larger procurement runs.

Typical ABS Specifications & Comparisons

ABS stands out for machinability and temperature resistance. It is the material of choice where an enclosure, jig, or print needs to withstand rough handling or moderate outdoor conditions, although it is not UV rated unless specifically modified.

Selecting ABS: Grades, Brands, and Buying Considerations

ABS is available in several grades (general-purpose, flame-retardant, or ESD-safe) and in colours from natural white to opaque black. Communica stocks leading brands widely recognised in the 3D and fabrication community, such as Esun, Dalan, and locally reputable suppliers. When choosing, consider:

• Colour and finish: Black ABS is most common for enclosures; filament is often available in a wider palette.
• Sheet thickness: Typical stock is 1mm, 2mm, or 3mm. Thicker stock occasionally available for heavy-duty builds.
• 3D filament diameter: Most hobby printers use 1.75mm; check your extruder or consult the 3D Printing & Accessories section for compatibility.
• Lead time & pickup: Check branch availability or request a quote for bulk/volume orders via Communica's sales channels.

Example: Calculating ABS Needed for a 3D Print

To estimate ABS required for a part, use your slicer's filament usage report. For budgeting, calculate:

Application Tips and Local Stock Advisory

• ABS is solvent-weldable (acetone smoothing for prints, assembly of machined parts)
• Best printed in enclosed printers due to warping; consider a PEI or BuildTak print bed for adhesion
• Communica updates shelf and online stock frequently - call ahead for bulk sheet supply
• All ABS is subject to standard thermoplastic limitations (avoid high UV, unsupported spans)

Sources

• ABS 3D Printing & Sheet Stock at Communica
• eSUN Official Technical Datasheets
• ABS vs PLA Guide - MakeUseOf
• 3Dnatives: ABS Material Properties