Comparison

General Purpose Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene TPE vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) block copolymer and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Physical

Density
0.91 - 0.95 g/cm³
1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.3 %
0.20 – 0.45 %
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Shrinkage
1.0 - 2.0 %
0.4 – 0.9 %
Specific Gravity
1.05
Surface Finish
Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus
0.001 - 0.02 GPa
1.8 – 2.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
2 - 7 MPa
40 – 50 MPa
Elongation at Break
500 - 900 %
10 – 50 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
Poor to Fair
200 – 400 J/m
Flexural Strength
60 – 80 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell R)
100 – 115

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature
-55 to -50 °C
105 °C
Melting Point
N/A (softening point around 80-100 °C)
Amorphous (no true Tm)
Continuous Service Temperature
-40 to 70 °C
70 – 90 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
N/A
85 – 100 °C
Thermal Conductivity
0.17 W/m·K
CTE
80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant
2.6 - 3.0
2.7 – 3.2
Volume Resistivity
10^14 - 10^16 Ohm-cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15 - 25 kV/mm
15 – 20 kV/mm
Surface Resistivity
10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical resistance

Acids
Good
Bases
Good
Good
Solvents
Resists water, dilute acids/bases; dissolves in aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor (unless stabilized)
Acids (dilute)
Good
Alcohols
Good
Oils & Greases
Fair
Gasoline
Poor
Acetone
Attacks / dissolves
Weathering
Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability
Limited (often blended)
Recyclable (mechanical)
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7 (Other)
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
0 %