ABS vs PSU (Polysulfone): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
ABS vs PSU (Polysulfone)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene — the most widely used amorphous engineering/commodity thermoplastic. Excellent balance of toughness, rigidity, and processability. Good surface finish and paintability. Not UV-stable without additives. Trade names include Novodur (INEOS Styrolution), Terluran (INEOS), Cycolac (SABIC). Used for automotive interior trim, appliance housings (vacuum cleaners, monitors), LEGO bricks, 3D printing filament, and pipe fittings.
PSU (Polysulfone)
Polysulfone — transparent, high-temperature amorphous thermoplastic. Tg 187°C, continuous use to 160°C. Excellent hydrolysis resistance (autoclavable/sterilizable). Good dimensional stability and creep resistance. Positioned between PC (cheaper, lower temp) and PEI (more expensive, higher temp). Trade name: Udel (Solvay). Used for medical devices (sterilizable), hot water plumbing, food processing, membranes (water purification), and aircraft interior panels.
| ABS | PSU (Polysulfone) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 527-1 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | ABS | PSU (Polysulfone) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylonitrile | 15–35% | — | — |
| Butadiene | 5–30% | — | — |
| Styrene | 40–60% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Polysulfone) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | ABS | PSU (Polysulfone) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 38–50 | 70–75 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 40–48 | — | MPa |
| Elongation | 10–30 | 50–100 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| HDT/B (0.45 MPa) | |||
| Vicat Softening Temp | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| hdt_1.8mpa |
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ABS and PSU (Polysulfone) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABS the same as PSU (Polysulfone)?
ABS and PSU (Polysulfone) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ABS with PSU (Polysulfone)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ABS and PSU (Polysulfone)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. ABS is a Polymers grade, while PSU (Polysulfone) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.