Comparison of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and Polypropylene in Automotive Interior Applications

A study was conducted comparing the physical properties, adhesion capabilities, and impact performance of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polypropylene in a typical interior trim application. The results of this study showed that the ABS resins retained a greater degree of their physical properties and exhibited greater low temperature impact resistance in a side collision than the tested polypropylene materials. Further testing demonstrated that, in general, untreated ABS possessed greater adhesive bond strength than did polypropylene, even after Corona discharge treatment.