ABS Plastic Explained
As parents we know the importance in todays world of keeping our children away from harmful chemicals and toxins. So we want to want to stress the importance of safety and diligence used in the manufacture of our products for your children. Also please check out the technical pages where we show you all the standards, laws and guidelines our products adhere to. If you need more information please feel free to contact us!
Where else is ABS Plastic used?
The "ABS" in "ABS plastic" stands for "Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene". Don't be worried about its long and complex name. Besides our plastic blocks, lots of other popular things are made from or have components manufactured from ABS plastic:
- Computer Keyboard Keys
- Automotive Parts
- Musical Instruments
- Gardening Tools
- Power Tools
- Kitchen Appliances
- Computer Parts
- Vacuum Cleaners
- Electrical Fittings
- Pipe Fitting
- 3d Printing
- Various other Kids Toys
- & much more...
ABS plastic is 100%
Recyclable
Our plastic block products are actually recyclable over and over again and again and again and again.... And again... INFINITELY
Non-Toxic
Our plastic blocks are non-toxic as the polymerisation process ensures that ABS plastic doesn't break down. ABS does not require plasticizers like bisphenols or phthalates in their manufacture. They are also thoroughly tested (additionally by independent laboratories).
Technical stuff about ABS Plastic
ABS plastic is actually a thermoplastic that comes out opaque (close to being see through, like a foggy window). Pigments or dyes are added to make the colours we are familiar with in most toys.
They call it an amorphous polymer which is comprised of these three monomers
- acrylonitrile,
- butadiene,
- & styrene.
ABS plastic is an amorphous thermoplastic, which is:
Easy Description: Means that this type of plastic can start melting at different but high temperatures, once melted it can be re-used.
Technical Description: Amorphous polymers are a randomly ordered molecular structure that lack a specific melting point. The result is that amorphous materials get softer gradually as the temperature increases. Amorphous polymers are thermoplastics, as they can be melted down and immediately recast or re-formed.
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ABS plastic was discovered by the Borg-Warner Corporation in 1907, patented in 1948. The ABS chemical formula is (C8H8)x·â€‹(C4H6)y·â€‹(C3H3N)z ).
What actually are Polymers & Monomers?
In chemistry terminology, a monomer represents a molecule with relatively low molecular weight, it can combine or bond with other molecules of the same kind to form a chemical compound known as a polymer.
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Essentially, polymers are formed from multiple monomers connected together;
Mono = One
Poly = Many
For example with clothing in the natural world polymers are silk and wool. Artificially created polymers are nylon and polyester.
More technical stuff about ABS plastic...
The most common polymerisation for ABS is the emulsification or finely tuned art of combining various products into one product, that would not usually combine.
As the three monomers are combined, a polar attraction develops with the acrylonitrile and the other two (butadiene and styrene). The result is a highly durable and tough final product.
Differing amounts of each monomer can be used in the process to achieve slightly different results. This versatility of ABS plastic makes it a very popular choice across multiple industries, from domestic (home) to commercial and some specialist settings.
The 3 Monster DON'TS!!!
DON'T 1!
Don't ever let children under 3 years old around your plastic blocks as they might try to swallow them. We recommend you to play on a mat if on the ground, or up on a table away from babies and small children.
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DON'T 2!
Don't ever put plastic blocks in the microwave, oven, or expose them to very high temperatures. Never put them in or expose them to fire or naked flames.
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DON'T 3!
Don't leave them in the sun for extended periods of time. The sun's UV rays will eventually fade the colour of the plastic blocks, so it is best to keep them away. Don't panic it takes a long time to fade and your plastic plants do not need sunlight like real plants! Best not to leave on a sunny window sill especially!