SAN vs ABS
SAN and ABS are closely related styrenic plastics — ABS is essentially SAN toughened with rubber. SAN offers better clarity, higher rigidity and strength (~72 vs ~40 MPa), and somewhat better chemical and heat resistance, but it is brittle (elongation ~3%). ABS trades some clarity and stiffness for far greater toughness and impact resistance, plus easier machining and bonding.
The verdict
Choose SAN for clear, rigid, chemically resistant parts like housewares and cups where stiffness and transparency outweigh impact resistance. Choose ABS when toughness, impact resistance, and easy machining or gluing matter more than clarity, for housings, prototypes, and consumer parts.
Side-by-side data
| Property | SAN | ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Engineering Plastic | Plastic |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.08 | 1.05 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 72 | 40 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 72 | 40 |
| Elongation (%) | 3 | 10 |
| Hardness | M80 | R105 |
| Max service temp (°C) | 80 | 80 |
| Machinability | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Corrosion resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Relative cost | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Thermal cond. (W/m·K) | 0.15 | 0.17 |
| Typically used for | Clear rigid housewares & cups | Prototypes, housings & consumer parts |
Which should you choose?
Choose SAN when…
- Transparency is needed — SAN is clear, unlike opaque ABS
- Higher rigidity and strength help (~72 vs ~40 MPa tensile)
- Better chemical resistance than ABS is useful for housewares and cups
- The part is a clear rigid container, cup, or appliance lens
- Scratch and stiffness performance outweigh impact needs
- Slightly better heat resistance than basic ABS is desired
Choose ABS when…
- Toughness and impact resistance lead — ABS (~10% elongation) far outlasts brittle SAN (~3%)
- The part is a housing, enclosure, or prototype that must survive handling
- Easy machining (4.0/5) and solvent bonding are needed
- Opacity is acceptable or preferred for housings
- 3D printing or robust injection molding is the process
- Cosmetic, paintable surfaces matter
Key differences that matter
- ABS is essentially SAN with rubber added for toughness — they share a styrene-acrylonitrile base
- SAN is clearer, stiffer, and stronger (~72 vs ~40 MPa) with better chemical resistance
- SAN is brittle (elongation ~3%); ABS is far tougher and more impact-resistant (~10%)
- ABS machines easily (4.0 vs SAN 3.0) and solvent-bonds well
- SAN suits clear rigid housewares and cups; ABS suits housings and prototypes
- Both are low-cost (~1.5) styrenics from the same family
- Neither is high-temperature; both top out around 80 C service
Need SAN or ABS parts made?
Use our free tools to finalize your spec, then get a quote from a vetted factory.
Open the Material SelectorGet a Quote →Frequently asked questions
How are SAN and ABS related?
ABS is essentially SAN with a rubber (polybutadiene) phase added to toughen it. They share the same styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer base, which is why both have similar cost and chemical character. The rubber gives ABS its impact resistance and opacity, while SAN stays clear, stiffer, and stronger but brittle.
Why is SAN clear but ABS is not?
SAN is a single-phase copolymer, so it transmits light and stays transparent — useful for clear cups, containers, and appliance lenses. ABS contains a dispersed rubber phase that scatters light, making it translucent to opaque. If you need a transparent rigid styrenic, SAN is the choice; ABS gives up clarity for toughness.
Which is more impact-resistant?
ABS, clearly. Its rubber phase raises elongation to around 10% and lets it absorb impact, whereas SAN is brittle at about 3% elongation and cracks under shock. For housings, enclosures, and any part that gets handled or dropped, ABS is far more durable. SAN suits rigid, protected applications instead.
Is SAN more chemically resistant than ABS?
Modestly, yes. SAN's high acrylonitrile content gives it good resistance to oils, greases, and many chemicals, which suits kitchenware and housewares. ABS resists many household chemicals but is attacked by some solvents. For chemical-contact clear parts SAN is preferable, while ABS is chosen for toughness over chemical performance.
Property values are typical/nominal figures for early-stage guidance only and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specifications against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer before production.