Applications where anti-dazzle performance is critical, such as in automotive, building and architectural products, are the target for two grades of low gloss ABS available from LG International (UK).
The polymers are produced at LG’s Yochon plant in South Korea in a one-step, mass polymerisation process and it is this that gives them the surface roughness that scatters light beams and provides a matt appearance.
Conventionally ABS is made by an emulsion process that yields rubber particles of consistent size and provides surface uniformity in the polymer. In contrast, mass polymerisation produces materials with rubber particles of varying sizes that develops their surface roughness.
The gloss performance of the MA ABS grades when moulded is below the 15 level according to ASTM E97, which characterises them as low gloss. Compared with conventional ABS, the grades also offer greater thermal stability and are additive-, gel- and odour-free.
