ABS and 600 hr UV testing/stablizers

[TedinCalif]

Hi,
I have a cusotmer who is making white ABS marine speaker grilles - they are yellowing in use. The Asian vendor is mixing in his own UV stabizer (0.48%). I assume this is not the way to do it. Rather, buy a ABS UV stabilzed molding compound that has proper uV ratings. Anyone provide some advice and even some brand name compounds that can do this? The standard these is the ASTM 600 hr UV test.

Thanks
TedT

 

[patprimmer]

I would strongly recommend ASA over ABS for this application. Even stabilised ABS is not all that good to UV due to its very low starting point.

Regards
Pat
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[Pud]

I would not have even considered ABS for such a part.
ASA is the stuff you need.

http://www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

 

[TedinCalif]

Thanks for the recommendations on ASA. Does this material need to be special version with UV stabiziers or standard stuff OK? Any brand names come to mind?
Thanks
TedT

 

[Pud]

BASF are the main producers. You may need to use a pre-compounded material as it can be difficult to masterbatch (and you'll need good pigments too!)

http://i

http://www.plasticsportal.com/products/lurans.html

There are others but can't recall any at the moment...

H

http://www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

 

[Demon3]

Those two guys are right as usual. The rubber in ABS is polybutadiene which is destroyed by UV light from the sun so it goes yellow and even worse the material becomes brittle and fails even when properly UV stabilized.

ASA is molds and performs just like ABS mechanically but the rubber is an acrylate type that survives decades outdoors while retaining color and mechanicals. How do I know all about that? I was the Global Product Development Manager for ASA at BASF. Their tradename is Luran S. Luran S is does contain UV stabilizer automatically. Don't ask for Luran as that's SAN a completely different product.

In the USA contact person would be Andrea Kirsch.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[Demon3]

By the way our testing for ASA at BASF went out to 6000 hours Xenotest!

SABIC also sell ASA as Geloy and other companies do too.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[TedinCalif]

Thanks a lot - you've been a great help....

TedT