FR ABS sheet (Flame Retardant Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Sheet) is a sheet-shaped engineering plastic that is based on ABS resin, modified by adding flame retardants (such as bromine, phosphorus or nitrogen compounds), and formed by extrusion or injection molding. ABS itself is a terpolymer formed by the copolymerization of three monomers: acrylonitrile (Acrylonitrile, A), butadiene (Butadiene, B) and styrene (Styrene, S). It has high strength, toughness and easy processing, but its limiting oxygen index (LOI) is only 18%-20% (a flammable material). After flame retardant modification, the LOI of FR ABS sheet can be increased to 26%-35%, reaching international flame retardant standards such as UL94 V-0 (vertical burning test, flame self-extinguishing within 10 seconds), 5VA (500W flame vertical burning, no dripping and carbonization range ≤1.5 mm), while retaining the original mechanical properties and processing advantages of ABS.
Since the rise of flame retardant plastic technology in the 1980s, FR ABS sheet has been widely used in electronics, automobiles, construction and other fields by balancing "flame retardancy, mechanical properties and processing economy", becoming the core material for scenes with strict fire safety requirements.
Flame retardant performance
Limiting oxygen index (LOI) and combustion level
LOI improvement: The LOI of ordinary ABS sheets is 18%-20% (the oxygen concentration in the air is about 21%, which is easy to burn continuously). By adding flame retardants (such as decabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromobisphenol A or red phosphorus), the LOI of FR ABS sheets can be increased to 26%-35% (the oxygen concentration must be ≥26%-35% to maintain combustion);
International standard certification: It meets UL94 V-0 (vertical burning, the flame self-extinguishes within 10 seconds, and there is no dripping), 5VA (500W flame burns vertically, there is no dripping and the carbonization range is ≤1.5 mm), IEC 60695-11-10 (glow wire test, GWIT 750℃/30s without ignition) and other standards, and is suitable for scenes with strict fire protection requirements (such as electronic equipment housings and automotive wiring harness sheaths).
Flame retardant mechanism
Brominated flame retardants (such as decabromodiphenyl ether): decompose into hydrogen bromide (HBr) at high temperatures, capture free radicals (such as H·, OH·) in the combustion chain reaction, and interrupt the combustion chain reaction;
Phosphorus flame retardants (such as ammonium polyphosphate): decompose into phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) when heated, promote carbonization of the material surface to form a dense carbon layer, isolate oxygen and heat transfer;
Synergistic effect: Some FR ABS sheets use a "bromine + antimony (antimony trioxide)" compound system. Antimony is used as a catalytic aid to improve the efficiency of brominated flame retardants (reduce the amount of flame retardants and optimize costs).
Data Sheet
| Properties |
Standard |
Unit |
Test Data |
| Specific gravity |
ISO 1183 |
g/cm3 |
1.25 |
| Water absorption |
ISO 62 |
% |
0.1 |
| Flammability |
UL94 |
|
V-0 |
| Mechancial Properties |
|
|
|
| Yield stress |
ISO 527 |
Mpa |
39.4 |
| Elongation at break |
ISO 527 |
% |
7.6 |
| Tensile modulus of elasticity |
ISO 527 |
Mpa |
2540 |
| Notched impact strength |
ISO 179 |
kJ/m2 |
22 |
| Notched izod impact strength |
ISO 180 |
kJ/m2 |
22 |
| Flexural strength |
ISO 178 |
Mpa |
70.2 |
| Flexural modulus |
ISO 178 |
Mpa |
2550 |
| Shore hardness |
ISO 868 |
scale D |
70 |
Application areas
Electronic equipment housing
TV back cover: UL94 V-0 grade FR ABS sheet for LCD TV back cover
Computer case panel: high rigidity FR ABS sheet for desktop computer case
Mobile phone charger housing: thin-wall injection molding FR ABS sheet for fast charging charger housing
Household appliance parts
Refrigerator control panel: GF10% reinforced FR ABS sheet for refrigerator button bracket
Washing machine switch housing: heat-resistant FR ABS sheet for washing machine program knob housing
Automotive interior parts
Dashboard frame: UL94 V-0 grade FR ABS sheet for automotive dashboard base
Door panel lining: GF10% reinforced FR ABS sheet for car door lining
Automotive wiring harness and connector
Wire harness sheath: high temperature resistant FR ABS sheet for automotive engine compartment wire harness sheath
Connector housing: high toughness FR ABS sheet for automotive sensor connector
Building electrical fireproof parts
Distribution box housing: UL94 5VA grade FR ABS sheet for residential and commercial distribution boxes
Cable tray: GF20% reinforced FR ABS sheet for data center cable tray
Public facility safety components
Subway station shielding door panel: FR ABS sheet for subway shielding door
Airport security equipment housing: impact-resistant FR ABS sheet for X-ray machine housing
Industrial control cabinet
PLC cabinet housing: UL94 V-0 grade FR ABS sheet for industrial PLC control cabinet
Motor junction box: high temperature resistant FR ABS sheet for motor junction box
Security equipment housing
Surveillance camera housing: GF10% reinforced FR ABS sheet for outdoor surveillance camera
Fire equipment button panel: high rigidity FR ABS sheet for fire alarm button housing
