Heat Forming Abs Plastic Sheets

Boiling water allows users to heat the abs enough to make it easily shapable and moldable but prevents the plastic from exceeding 212 degrees no matter how long it is left submersed in the boiling water.

Heat forming abs plastic sheets.

This article uses a sheet about 1 4 thick so all times are about 10 to 15 minutes per step. Sheet surface temperature will directly correspond to material gage. Abs thermoform plastic sheets due to its low cost and superior physical properties abs acrylonitrile butadine styrene is one of the most popular thermoform plastics used for vacuum forming. Most plastics have a melting point much higher than the temperature of boiling water making it virtually impossible for the water to transfer enough heat to the plastic for it to become flexible.

The spec sheet shows a temperature of 234 degrees. Heat guns and toaster ovens have proven the best diy method for our customers. For thicker sheets it will take longer and for thinner sheets it will take less time. Is there a problem with going higher.

Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature formed to a specific shape in a mold and trimmed to create a usable product. Alternatively there are some plastics that can melt at a much lower temperature so it is very important to know what material you are working with if you don t want to end up with a boiling pot. Or do i need to have a two part mold with a top and a bottom. Only part of the shape is forming.

Preparing hot air gun w. Modify the timing as necessary. Tutorial for how to. I have the oven set at 250f.

High density polyethylene hdpe which requires a core temperature of approximately 280 f for optimal forming. Ideal for perspex acrylic plexiglass polycarbonate. The sheet or film when referring to thinner gauges and certain material types is heated in an oven to a high enough temperature that permits it to be stretched into or onto a mold and cooled to a finished shape. 1 4 abs plastic can be bent using a heat gun to soften it up and then shape it manually.

Heating abs over a flame or other heat source risks heating the plastic to the point where it decomposes releasing carcinogenic chemicals. The only major variable that can affect the forming process is the thickness of the plastic sheet. For example let s use 0 250 in. Abs produces detailed parts that are tougher and more rigid than other plastics.

I have a wooden form and a piece abs plastic that i laid on top of the form. The only absolute requirement for bending and forming kydex is heating the sheet until soft when the material becomes formable.