Buy Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) in South Africa | Sheets, Filaments, Granules & More

ABS Polymer - Your Reliable Engineering Plastic

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is one of the most widely used thermoplastics for 3D printing, prototyping, enclosures, and industrial fabrication. ABS is loved for its high impact resistance, rigidity, machinability, and easy processing-making it a top choice for South African makers, engineering students, and professional workshops alike.

At Communica, we understand how vital reliable local supply is. That's why we offer ABS in various forms, including:

• 3D printer filament rolls (typically 1.75mm & 2.85mm diameters)
• ABS sheets for CNC, laser cutting, and casing fabrication (common thicknesses: 1-5mm)
• Granules and rods for extrusion, machining, or injection moulding

Widely compatible with most open-source and commercial 3D printers, ABS is perfect for durable functional parts, prototyping, and educational models. Engineers and technicians also use ABS for housings, panels, and low-volume production due to its excellent surface finish and resistance to cracking or chipping during post-processing.

ABS Grades, Colours, and Specifications

ABS is available in a range of grades (general, flame-retardant, electrostatic-dissipative), as well as industry-standard hues such as natural/white, black, and custom colours for prototyping visibility. Popular stocked brands at Communica include:

• eSUN (3D printer filament)
• MakerBot
• Generic Industrial ABS Sheet
• Toolcraft (South African supply partner)

How to Select the Right ABS Product

For successful project outcomes, select ABS considering:

• Chemical resistance - ideal for applications exposed to mild acids/oils
• Thermal tolerance - typically safe up to 100 degreesC (verify per material datasheet)
• Process format - sheet for fabrication, filament for FDM printing, granules for moulding
• Colour/opacity for functional and presentation needs

Benefits of Buying ABS from Communica

• Local ready stock for urgent deadlines-no weeks-long imports for most common sizes
• Branch pickup in Samrand (Centurion), Pretoria CBD, or Cape Town
• Knowledgeable advice for students, makers, and professional users
• Account quotes, VAT invoices, and bulk order options for schools, resellers, and corporates

ABS supplied by Communica meets industry norms for density (~1.04 g/cm3), tensile strength (~40 MPa for general grade), and shrinkage (0.4-0.7%)-ideal for FDM 3D prints requiring post-processing or painting. Always confirm spec sheets or sample before critical applications.

Compatibility & Application Notes

ABS is designed for compatibility with most open-frame and enclosed 3D printers. For best results:

• Print at 220-250 degreesC nozzle temperature; bed temperature 80-110 degreesC to prevent warping
• Use in ventilated spaces; ABS may emit odour when printing
• Bonding/finishing: ABS can be sanded, drilled, or glued with acetone for smooth edges

Order & Collection Made Simple

Check availability and reserve ABS products from our 3D Printing & Accessories category. Bulk requirements for departments or makerspaces can be accommodated-please request a quote if needed. For immediate project needs, select branch pickup during checkout to minimise turnaround.

Need technical data or have a specialist application? Our team provides selection guidance for university, FET, and SMME customers with custom sheet/rod sizing or colour-matching where possible. All products supplied with VAT invoicing and can be shipped nationwide.

ABS at a Glance

• Impact-resistant & machinable for a range of applications
• Stocked forms: sheet, filament, rod, granule
• Ready in-branch or dispatch-no cross-border lead delays for standard sizes

Sources

• Communica - 3D Printing & Accessories Range
• 3Dnatives - ABS Filament Guide
• Wikipedia - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Essential Chemical Industry - ABS Overview
• eSUN - ABS 3D Printer Filament
• Communica - Branch Locations & Trading Hours