VSApplications · Three resins

ABS vs PS vs HIPS: which resin for your moulded part.

ABS, PS and HIPS are three steps of toughness in one family of styrenic plastics. General-purpose PS is hard, glossy and clear but brittle, so it suits parts not expected to take impact. HIPS adds rubber to polystyrene for better impact strength and is common in appliance parts. ABS is tougher again, shiny and scratch-resistant, used for housings and motorbike covers. Dayatas Profab sells all three for injection moulding.

Last reviewed 25 October 2026

On this page8
  1. Toughness 1PSGeneral-purpose polystyreneClear, hard, brittle
  2. Toughness 2HIPSHigh impact polystyrenePolystyrene plus rubber: takes knocks
  3. Toughness 3ABSAcrylonitrile butadiene styreneTough, glossy, scratch-resistant
Impact toughness, low to highQualitative, general-purpose grades [2, 3, 1]

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Where should the choice between ABS, PS and HIPS start?

Start from what the part must survive, then from how it must look; the chapters below take toughness, finish, chemicals, heat and sunlight in turn. Dayatas Profab sells all three resins to injection moulders: ABS resin from Dayatas Profab, PS resin and HIPS resin, side by side on the resin overview.

Dayatas Profab's ABS is recycled pellet, made in Malaysia, packed in 25 kg bags; for PS and HIPS, ask us for the current grade, its form and packing.

→Start here

  1. The part takes knocks in useHIPS or ABS
  2. It is seen and handled every dayABS
  3. It has to be seen throughPS
The bagging silo with filled bags at its foot
Own footage: the bagging silo, filled bags at its foot

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Why are ABS, PS and HIPS one family?

ABS, PS and HIPS are all styrenic plastics: styrene is the backbone of each, and what is added to it decides how the resin behaves [1]. The diagram reads from the simplest to the most complex.

PS

Styrenepolystyrene on its own

The simplest of the three [2]

HIPS

Styrenethe polystyrene matrixPolybutadienea rubber phase, dispersed

The rubber improves impact strength [2]

ABS

Acrylonitrilechemical resistance, hardness, rigidityButadienetoughnessStyreneshiny surface, easier processing

Each part adds a property [3]

HIPS is made by polymerising styrene with polybutadiene dissolved in it, which leaves a polystyrene matrix with a rubber phase dispersed through it [2]. ABS is made by polymerising styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene [3]. Because all three share the styrene backbone, moulders weigh them against each other on what a part must survive and how it must look. Dayatas Profab sells all three of these styrenic resins for injection moulding.

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Which is toughest: ABS, HIPS or PS?

Toughness is where ABS, PS and HIPS differ most. General-purpose PS is clear, hard and brittle [2]: a PS part holds its shape, but a sharp knock can crack it. HIPS adds rubber dispersed through the polystyrene, which improves impact strength [2]; INEOS calls HIPS the more durable polystyrene, used in refrigerators [1]. In ABS, butadiene gives toughness while acrylonitrile and styrene keep the part hard, rigid and glossy [3].

Notched Izod impact at 23 °C, ISO 180/1A Example grades from other producers, not Dayatas Profab values

  1. PSNo notched value on the sheet [5]
  2. HIPS9.5 kJ/m² [6]
  3. ABS21 kJ/m² [7]
Izod · ISO 180 [10]Izod · ASTM D256 [11]Charpy · ISO 179 [12]

Datasheets give toughness as notched impact strength: Izod to ISO 180 or ASTM D256, or Charpy to ISO 179; compare grades only on the same test. For a part that will be dropped, clipped or screwed down, start the shortlist at HIPS or ABS.

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Which gives the better finish on a visible part?

Finish often decides between resins that would all survive a part's life. Monitor housings, one of the products moulders make with Dayatas Profab's resin, have to look finished straight out of the tool and stay that way.

  • PSClear, glossyGeneral-purpose PS is clear [2], and crystal grades are sold for high gloss [5]: the resin to start from for a part that is seen through.
  • HIPSHazy; matt gradesHazier than PS [2]; grades are offered for a matt finish [8].
  • ABSShiny, scratch-resistantStyrene gives ABS a shiny surface [3], valued with its scratch resistance [1].

For any visible part, ask which colours a grade comes in and whether the finish you need has been run on it before. With a recycled grade, ask as well how colour holds from one lot to the next; recycled vs virgin ABS explains why.

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How do ABS, PS and HIPS handle chemicals, heat and sunlight?

Chemicals, heat and sunlight decide whether a part lasts; the grid sets the three resins against each. For heat, the glass transition is where the polymer itself softens; for a part that carries a load, compare the heat deflection temperature, the temperature at which a test bar bends under a set load [14], measured at the same load.

Chemicals

PSAttacked by many organic solvents, such as acetone and aromatic hydrocarbons [2]

HIPSAs a polystyrene, HIPS is attacked by the same solvents [2]; stress-crack-resistant grades exist for fridge liners [8]

ABSResists aqueous acids and alkalis; dissolves in ketones and esters [3]

Heat

PSGlass transition about 100 °C [2]; the example grade deflects at 73 °C [5]

HIPSThe example grade deflects at 68 °C, within 5 °C of the PS example [5, 6]

ABSGlass transition about 105 °C [3]; the example grade deflects at 94 °C [7]

Sunlight

PSProne to photo-oxidation; commercial grades carry light stabilisers [2]

HIPSPolystyrene-based, so ask whether the grade is stabilised [2]

ABSYellows and turns brittle in UV light unless protected [3]

A motorbike cover, one of the parts moulders make from Dayatas Profab's resin, lives outdoors: settle the sunlight question before choosing the grade.

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How do ABS, PS and HIPS compare, property by property?

The table runs from the least to the most tough resin. Its lower rows are example values from one published grade of each, made by other producers, not Dayatas Profab's values. Price is left out: resin prices move with the market, the grade and the order, so ask Dayatas Profab for a current quote.

ABS vs PS vs HIPS, property by property. Upper rows qualitative, cited in chapters 02 to 05; lower rows example values from three published datasheets
PropertyPSGeneral-purpose polystyreneHIPSHigh impact polystyreneABSAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene
What it isPolystyrenePolystyrene with a dispersed rubber phaseAcrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene
Impact toughnessBrittleBetter: the rubber phaseTough: butadiene
Clarity and surfaceClear; high gloss on crystal gradesHazier than PS; matt grades offeredShiny, scratch-resistant
ChemicalsAttacked by many organic solventsAs a polystyrene, the same solvents; stress-crack-resistant grades existResists aqueous acids and alkalis, not ketones or esters
HeatGlass transition about 100 °CExample grade: heat deflection close to PS (below)Glass transition about 105 °C
Outdoors (UV light)Photo-oxidises unless stabilisedAs PSYellows and turns brittle unless protected
ProcessingEasy to process [1]Easy to process [1]Most often injection-moulded [4]
Typical moulded partsCutlery, CD cases, boxes, office equipment [2, 5]Television housings, refrigerator parts, toys [6]Electronics housings, motorbike covers, appliances [4, 1]
From Dayatas ProfabAsk for the current grade, its form and packingRecycled pellet, made in Malaysia, 25 kg bags
Example datasheet values: one published grade of each, from other producers; not Dayatas Profab values PS [5] · HIPS [6] · ABS [7]
Density, ISO 1183 [13]1.05 g/cm³1.04 g/cm³1.04 g/cm³
Notched Izod at 23 °C, ISO 180/1A [10]Not given on this sheet9.5 kJ/m²21 kJ/m²
Heat deflection at 1.8 MPa, ISO 75 [14]73 °C, unannealed68 °C, unannealed94 °C
Melt flow, ISO 1133, at the material's own conditions [9]12 g/10 min at 200 °C, 5 kg11.5 g/10 min at 200 °C, 5 kg19 cm³/10 min at 220 °C, 10 kg

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Which resin should you choose for your part?

Start from the part, not the polymer: each card lists what a common part has to cope with and the resin to try first. Monitor housings and motorbike covers are two of the products moulders make with Dayatas Profab's resin.

Monitor or electronics housing

Try firstABS

  • Knocks
  • Seen and handled
  • Warmth from electronics

A standard ABS use [4]; the scratch-resistant finish lasts [1].

Motorbike cover

Try firstABS

  • Knocks
  • Sunlight
  • Finish

A primary ABS use [1]; settle UV protection first [3].

Refrigerator part

Try firstHIPS

  • Knocks
  • Cold
  • Fats and oils

The durable polystyrene of refrigerators [1]; liner grades resist stress cracking and cold [8].

Clear box or office part

Try firstPS

  • Seen through
  • Rigid
  • Gloss

Clear and hard but brittle [2]; a typical PS injection use [5].

When you write to Dayatas Profab, name the part, what it must survive, the finish, the quantity and the destination port. By application, see what moulders make with ABS, PS and HIPS; at length, ABS, PS or HIPS: which resin for an injection-moulded part.

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What should you check on the datasheet?

Whichever resin you choose, the decision is made on the grade's datasheet and confirmed on the lot you buy. Four values come first.

  • Melt flow (ISO 1133)Melt through a standard die in ten minutes, at the temperature and load the material's standard sets [9]. Compare grades or suppliers of the same resin only.
  • Notched impact (ISO 180, ASTM D256 or ISO 179)The toughness ladder in a number [10, 11, 12]. Compare only results from the same test.
  • Density (ISO 1183)Mass per volume, for part weight and shot size [13].
  • Heat deflection (ISO 75)The temperature at which a test bar bends under a set load [14]; check the load and whether the bar was annealed.
Molten plastic strands leaving an extruder die into a cooling water trough (illustration)
Illustration: strands of melted plastic leaving the die

Melt flow cannot be ranked across the three resins: the example datasheets test ABS at 220 °C and 10 kg, the polystyrenes at 200 °C and 5 kg. Dayatas Profab's spec sheets for ABS, PS and HIPS are to come; until then this site quotes no value for Dayatas Profab's resin. Quality and documents explains each document; the glossary defines melt flow, Izod impact and density; see also the FAQ and Insights.

REF

Sources and standards

Last reviewed 25 October 2026

  1. INEOS: StyrenicsABS valued for strength, scratch resistance and finish, used in automotive parts, consumer electronics and household appliances; HIPS the more durable polystyrene, in refrigerators; polystyrene easy to process
  2. Wikipedia: Polystyrenegeneral-purpose PS clear, hard and brittle, less hazy than HIPS; HIPS a polystyrene matrix with a rubber phase; attacked by organic solvents; photo-oxidation; glass transition about 100 °C; injection-moulded uses
  3. Wikipedia: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrenewhat each monomer adds; resistant to aqueous acids and alkalis, soluble in ketones and esters; glass transition about 105 °C; yellows and turns brittle in UV light
  4. Protolabs: ABSinjection moulding the most common route; electronics housings, automotive parts, appliances
  5. TotalEnergies: Polystyrene Crystal 1540 datasheet (example general-purpose PS)high gloss; injection uses: boxes, office equipment, toys; typical values, not specification limits
  6. TotalEnergies: Polystyrene Impact 6540 datasheet (example HIPS)easy-flow HIPS for television housings, refrigerators, keyboards, toys; typical values
  7. BADA: BADALAC ABS 20 datasheet (example general-purpose ABS)medium-viscosity ABS injection-moulding grade; typical values
  8. TotalEnergies: Polystyrene Impact 8260 datasheet (HIPS for refrigerator parts)improved environmental stress-crack resistance; refrigerator liners and injected parts; good properties at low temperature; matt finish
  9. ISO 1133-1: melt mass-flow rate and melt volume-flow rate of thermoplasticsthe test conditions are set in each material's standard
  10. ISO 180:2023: Izod impact strength of plasticsnotched Izod
  11. ASTM D256: Izod pendulum impact resistance of plasticsIzod (ASTM)
  12. ISO 179-1:2023: Charpy impact properties of plasticsCharpy
  13. ISO 1183-1:2025: density of non-cellular plasticsdensity
  14. ISO 75-1:2020: temperature of deflection under loadheat deflection

Two doors into Dayatas Profab A · buyers of resin   B · suppliers of scrap

AFor mouldersBuy resin.Tell us:The resin: ABS, PS or HIPSThe part you mouldThe quantityThe destination portEnquire as a buyer BFor suppliersSell us your scrap.Tell us:Where the scrap comes fromThe polymer, if you know itIts form: parts, bales, crushed or flakeThe quantityWhere it isOffer material