ABSCOM® MS117AX – ACRYLONITRILE/BUTADIENE/STYRENE – Permanent Antistatic ABS
ABSCOM® MS117AX is an ABS plastic compound with superior surface and volume resistivity combined with exceptional colourability.
Polymer Compounders Limited, a leading manufacturer of ABS polymers (ABSCOM®), has developed ABSCOM® MS117AX, a colourable conductive permanent antistatic ABS polymer approved for use in industrial environments according to the ATEX test standard. Usually, this can only be achieved using carbon-based additives; hence, black is the only colour available.
ABSCOM® MS117AX, on the other hand, offers all colour possibilities by utilizing a novel conductive additive without the use of carbon, enabling the end-user to choose any colour; they wish. This gives ABSCOM® MS117AX a distinct advantage when compared to other materials on the market, especially as state-of-the-art technological solutions demand ever-greater control over the electrical characteristics in manufactured goods.
Additionally, ABSCOM® MS117AX is also a slightly electrically ‘dissipative polymer’. This is down to the sophistication of the underlying formula of the material. Put simply, ABSCOM® MS117AX is a permanent antistatic material with dissipative properties.
Dissipative Polymer Definition
Slightly electrically dissipative polymer. Dissipative materials allow electrical charges to flow to the ground more slowly in a more controlled manner than non-dissipative or conductive materials.
Antistatic Polymer Definition
Antistatic polymer materials are materials which inhibit triboelectric charging. This kind of charging is the build-up of an electric charge as a result of rubbing or contact with another material.
Advancing on the technology of grade ‘ABSCOM® MS170AX‘ (Discontinued). Which brought anti-static properties into ABS polymer for the first time, which was achieved through the use of carbon-based additive technologies. The carbon-based additive technology we chose gave ABSCOM® MS170AX its industry-leading unique characteristics. ABSCOM® MS170AX proved that it is possible to achieve good levels of conductivity in conjunction with the high impact values needed for a rugged electronic handheld device. ABSCOM® MS117AX utilises a much more robust chemistry and, as a result, is a much superior product to ABSCOM® MS170AX.
Typical data properties of ABSCOM® MS117AX are shown in the table below:
| Typical Property | Typical Value | Unit | Test Method based on |
| Melt Flow (220C /10kg) | 17 | g/10 min | ISO1133(B) |
| Flexural Modulus | 2400 | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Tensile Strength at Yield | 48 | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Izod Notched Impact | 24 | KJM2 | ISO 180/1A |
| Surface resistivity | (3.0 x 10e8) | Ohm | IEC 61340-2-3 |
| Volume resistivity | (3.0 x 10e8) | Ohm/cm | IEC 61340-2-3 |
| Density | 1100 | Kg/m3 | ISO 1183 |
| Flammability (1.50 mm) | HB | UL-94 |
The key features of ABSCOM® MS117AX are as follows:
- >All colour possibilities.
- >No loss of mechanical performance.
- >ATEX compliance. *
- >Permanent Antistatic ABS.
- >Slightly electrically dissipative polymer.
*Can meet the Explosive Atmosphere Standard IEC 60079 specification with surface resistance Rs < 10^9 ohms target (RH50 % / 23 °C).
Laboratory Testing Results – ‘Surface Resistance’
| Sample identification name | Surface resistance [Ohms] average |
| ABSCOM MS117AX GREEN 6173 | 3E8 |
| ABSCOM MS117AX SLATE GREY 22151 | 3E8 |
🔑KEY: 3E8 Ohms = 3×10^8 Ohms = 300 MΩ
- >Testing according to IEC 61340 2 3
- >Test condition 2
- >Test equipment used: 1,2
- >Electrification time: Automatic
- >Measurement voltage: 100 V
- >Number of measurement points: 4
PCL’s new colourable conductive permanent antistatic ABS polymer ABSCOM®MS117AX offers all colour possibilities. Giving the polymer a distinct advantage over traditional black-only conductive polymers and is sure to be prevalent in industrial environments. To learn more about this product and how it can benefit your business, call us on +44 (0) 191 378 3737 or email [email protected] today.
