Transparent ABS is ABS whose rigid matrix carries methyl methacrylate, which brings the matrix’s refractive index to that of the rubber particles so light passes through without scattering. Regular ABS keeps the two phases mismatched, so its rubber particles scatter light and the resin is opaque.
Making ABS clear costs it toughness, a few degrees of heat resistance and money. Specify transparent ABS where the part has to be seen through, and keep regular ABS everywhere else.
What Is Transparent ABS
Transparent ABS, also called MABS (methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), is the ABS grade family designed to be clear, so ABS can be clear, but only in these grades. It keeps the ABS structure of rubber particles dispersed in a rigid matrix and adds methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a major monomer.
INEOS Styrolution and CHIMEI sell it as MABS (Terlux and Clearlux; POLYLAC MABS), while LG Chem and Toray sell it as transparent ABS (LG Chem’s TR grades such as TR557; Toray’s TOYOLAC Transparent Grade).
PC/ABS is a different material: a blend of polycarbonate and ABS that is opaque.
What Is Regular ABS
Regular ABS is the standard opaque ABS: polybutadiene rubber particles grafted with and dispersed in a styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) matrix, made by emulsion or mass polymerisation. General-purpose and high-impact ABS grades are all of this type.
It is opaque because its two phases bend light differently: every rubber particle scatters light at its boundary, so even uncoloured regular ABS cannot be seen through.
The Difference Between Transparent ABS and Regular ABS
Transparent ABS changes the matrix and the rubber together. MMA, in the copolymer or as blended PMMA, pulls the matrix’s refractive index down toward the rubber’s, and styrene copolymerised into the rubber pulls the rubber’s index up. The rubber particles are also kept small.
Clarity
Transparent ABS is clear enough for windows, see-through housings and display parts; regular ABS is opaque. INEOS Styrolution lists its general-purpose MABS, Terlux 2802, at 89 % light transmission and below 3 % haze by ASTM D 1003, and its brochure states 4 mm specimens for the transmission figure and 2 mm for haze. When comparing transparent ABS offers, hold each supplier to a transmission figure with its test method and specimen thickness.
Transparent ABS also takes colour: INEOS describes its MABS as suited to deep colours and to pearly or sparkle effects.
Heat Resistance
Transparent ABS runs a few degrees below regular ABS. In INEOS Styrolution’s pair, Terlux 2802 (MABS) has a heat deflection temperature of 90 °C at 1.8 MPa against 94 °C for the producer’s regular ABS, Terluran GP-22, both by ISO 75 on specimens annealed 4 h at 80 °C.
Compare HDTs only at the same test method, load and annealing state. Under ASTM D 648 at 1.82 MPa, Terluran GP-22 reads about 78 °C unannealed and 99 °C annealed, a swing larger than the gap between the two resins.
Chemical Resistance
No producer data shows one resisting chemicals better than the other. For a clear part that meets a cleaner, a disinfectant or a coating, test the moulded part in that chemical under its assembly stress. Toray lists a transparent ABS type resistant to detergents and disinfecting alcohol, so ask for that type when a clear part will be wiped down.
How To Choose The Right One
Choose transparent ABS only when the part has to be seen through or lit through; for everything else, regular ABS is tougher, slightly more heat-resistant and cheaper.
Impact strength is the largest trade-off. In INEOS Styrolution’s data, Terlux 2802 has a notched Charpy impact strength (ISO 179/1eA, 23 °C) of 5 kJ/m² against 22 kJ/m² for Terluran GP-22, and even the producer’s high-impact Terlux grade stays below its least impact-resistant Terluran.
Tensile strength and stiffness stay close: Terlux 2802 lists a yield stress of 48 MPa and a tensile modulus of 2000 MPa, against 45 MPa and 2300 MPa for Terluran GP-22, all by ISO 527.
Transparent ABS moulds on standard machines, and with 0.4–0.7 % mould shrinkage listed for both Terlux 2802 and Terluran GP-22, an ABS tool fits it dimensionally. Even small amounts of another plastic, clear ones included, cloud transparent ABS irreversibly, so it needs a clean hopper, a purged barrel and, for parts with high quality requirements, virgin pellets.
Neither suits outdoor parts without UV stabilisation.
In cars, regular ABS is the common grade for interior parts. Clear parts that need more impact strength or heat resistance than transparent ABS offers, such as headlamp lenses, usually go to polycarbonate, and clear parts that sit outdoors or need the best optical quality go to PMMA.
Which Is Cheaper
Regular ABS is cheaper. The transparent part also takes more resin by weight: Terlux 2802 has a density of 1080 kg/m³ against 1040 kg/m³ for Terluran GP-22, so the same moulding weighs slightly more in the transparent grade. Price the premium as two quotes for the same date, volume and delivery terms rather than as a rule-of-thumb percentage.