ABS Specifications
< Click to buy ABS Pipework >

ABS Pipe systems
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is highly rated as a thermoplastic pipework system and is used in many applications
such as food and beverage processing as well as water and sewerage treatment and many other industries.
ABS has good chemical resistance with high impact strength. ABS is non toxic and conforms to the toxicological requirements of the British Plastic Federation, British Industrial Biological Research Association Code of Practice for food usage 45/5.
It also fulfils the EEC requirements for plastic materials in contact with foodstuffs. ABS systems are lightweight, rigid and easy to install using a solvent cement.
|
WRAS Approval |
![]() |
||||||||||
|
Standards Individual products are in compliance with appropriate British Standards. Kitemark Licence No. KM 60042
|
![]() |
Chemical Resistance
ABS has good resistance to most diluted inorganic acids, salts, animal fats and oils and organic acids. It is not resistant to organic solvents, alcohol, petrol, acetic acid or vegetable oils. Recommendations can be given by our Technical Department regarding the resistance of ABS to specific chemicals.
Temperature & Pressure Relationship
| Temp °C | Class C | Class D | Class E |
| bar | bar | bar | |
| -40 | 9.0 | 12.0 | 15.0 |
| -20 | 9.0 | 12.0 | 15.0 |
| 0 | 9.0 | 12.0 | 15.0 |
| 20 | 9.0 | 12.0 | 15.0 |
| 30 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 12.5 |
| 40 | 6.1 | 8.1 | 10.1 |
| 50 | 4.6 | 6.1 | 7.7 |
| 60 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 4.5 |
| 70 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 3.0 |
| 80 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 |
Pressure Ratings Fittings & Valves
| Product | Size Inches | Pressure Rating |
| Fitting Solvent Cement | ½ - 4 | 15 bar (217psi) |
| 5-6 | 12 bar (173psi) | |
| 12½ & 8 | 9 bar (130psi) | |
| Valves | ⅜ - 2 | 16 bar (232psi) |
| Valves | 2½ - 4 | 10 bar (145psi) |
All pressure ratings are at 20°C
Temperature and Pressure
It is suitable for use over a wide temperature range from -40°C to +80°C at pressures up to 15 bar.
Please consult the above temperature/pressure relationship chart for specific ratings.
It is important to remember that if the temperature is increased above 20°C then the pressure must be reduced.
ABS in sub-zero temperatures
ABS Pipe systems are suitable for temperatures as low as -40°C, however it is necessary as with any other pipeline to take preventative measures to ensure the pipeline fluid does not freeze, as freezing would cause subsequent damage to the system.
Thermal Expansion
The thermal coefficient of linear expansion for ABS is 10.1 x 10-5/°C.
It is necessary in certain situations to make special provision for this expansion and contraction.
Thermal expansion of ABS is compared with other materials, in the following chart.

< Click to buy ABS Pipework >





