Everything You Need To Know About ABS Edge Banding
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If you&#;re looking for the perfect edging solution, one great, versatile thermoplastic choice is ABS edge banding (or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene to be precise). ABS is one of the newer edge banding materials on the market. You may have come across it if you&#;ve been searching for an environmentally friendly edge banding. Often positioned as a &#;greener&#; alternative to PVC, it shares many characteristics with this more traditional plastic, with the added benefit of being 100% recyclable, or safely incinerated.
Think ABS is right for your project? Read on for everything you need to know about ABS edge banding&#;
What Is ABS Edge Banding?
ABS edging has been on the market for about 20 years, slowly taking the place of PVC in the furniture and woodworking industries. The rise in popularity was driven by companies and manufacturers becoming more aware of their environmental impact, and the need to find more ecologically friendly alternatives to products and processes.
ABS is a high grade thermoplastic that&#;s very resistant to everyday knocks and scrapes, so it&#;s great for furniture in high-traffic areas. It can withstand water, is highly heat resistant, and isn&#;t damaged by domestic cleaning products making it perfect for family kitchens.
It&#;s also a great material for use in offices, bathrooms, all interior furnishings, shop fitting and coffin manufacturing, even for exhibition stands . Its high level of heat resistance means it can be used on kitchen cabinets next to hot ovens or hobs without damage or distortion.
As an edging, ABS is very flexible, giving almost unlimited application options. Whether straight edge boards, curves, or custom shapes, you can mould this material to fit your design aesthetic. It&#;s also relatively easy to process on edge banding machines.
ABS is lighter in composition and density than PVC but still provides an incredibly durable surface to protect your board edges. It offers some of the same positives as PVC, with the added bonus of being fully recyclable and biodegradable.
The Environmentally Friendly Edging&#;
As we&#;ve mentioned, the feature that sets ABS apart from the crowd is the fact that it&#;s far more environmentally friendly than other edge banding materials.
ABS is made without any chlorine or acids, which means it can be disposed of in a much safer, healthier way. Usually when plastics burn they produce particles that are harmful to the ozone layer and our health when breathed in. However, because of its chemical makeup, ABS doesn&#;t release harmful smoke or toxins and it doesn&#;t leave any hazardous by-products.
Any waste left after incineration is completely biodegradable. There&#;s no need to spend valuable time separating edges and boards before disposal, it can all be incinerated together in general waste. ABS also burns far more easily than other plastics, so less energy is used in its disposal overall &#; making it highly energy efficient.
ABS edge banding is also 100% recyclable &#; it can be melted down and used to create other plastic products.
It&#;s a good one to know about for companies and manufacturers fulfilling contracts or trying to win tenders that require a low level of environmental impact or for those looking to reduce their impact on the environment generally.
This is a material suitable for the environmentally conscious and for use in projects where both the health of the people involved in its manufacture and the end user is a priority&#;
Flexible Edging Designs&#;
ABS edge banding is very flexible, meaning it can be fairly easily applied to curves, and internal or external radii. This property allows greater freedom of design. Go for this edging if you&#;re working on bespoke furniture projects or unusual shapes.
It&#;s produced in solid colour and can be made in an almost unlimited range of designs, including wood effect, textured, block colour, concrete and metal effect, granite, marble, or high gloss &#; the list goes on. As digital printing technology continues to develop, you&#;ll soon be able to create any design you can imagine on your ABS edge banding.
Our Pick Of ABS Edging&#;
We have hundreds of colours and patterns available, to match a huge range of boards. If you have your board reference, just type it into the search bar in our shop and see all the edges that match. Or if you&#;re looking for inspiration, take some time to browse and see the effects and colours available.
Here are just a few examples to give you some ideas&#;
Concrete is a very chic material for minimalist interiors. Emulate the look of polished concrete with some of our fantastically realistic edgings, including:
Fancy something a little bit special? Make an impact with this Brushed Gold Aluminium Effect ABS Edging. Or why not try block colours and a super glossy finish &#; go for ultra modern with a pop of wow! Try one of these gorgeous designs:
Real wood adds a cosy, natural feel to interiors. As well as all the variations on oak, beech, pine and ash wood you would expect, there are also some more unusual wood effects available. Create the look of real wood with these beautiful edgings:
Lituo supply professional and honest service.
If you still have questions about ABS edging banding or need help choosing the right one for your boards or particular project, our team of experts is ready. Get in touch today.
Understanding the Differences: ABS vs PVC Edge Banding:
When it comes to edge banding, the choice of material is crucial. Among the many options available, two stand out: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). Each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks that make it suitable for different applications. We'll look into the differences between these two popular materials, focusing on their properties, installation processes, and environmental impact.
Understanding the Basics: ABS and PVC:
ABS and PVC are the most commonly used materials for edge banding, providing a durable surface to protect board edges. ABS is a plastic polymer that is more expensive than PVC but is easier to work with and more environmentally friendly. It's fully recyclable and biodegradable and shrinks at a high temperature of 99 degrees. PVC, on the other hand, is cheaper but shrinks at 70 degrees, which can cause problems. It is less environmentally friendly and less fire-resistant than ABS.
The Environmental Impact
When it comes to environmental considerations, ABS holds a slight edge. While both PVC and ABS can be recycled, ABS is considered 'greener' because it takes a shorter period to decompose in the ground and doesn't expose harmful gases when recycled by burning. PVC, while also recyclable, takes longer to decompose and can release harmful gases when burned.
Fire Resistance
Both materials have fire resistance properties, but there are key differences. PVC is resistant to fire, but in the case of fire, exposure to harmful gases is risky and unhealthy. ABS, on the other hand, is more fire-resistant. Even if there is a fire, exposure to toxic gases is limited
Durability
Durability is another critical factor when choosing between ABS and PVC. PVC is more resistant to solvents and UV lights, making it possible to use the strongest form of solvent without causing damage. ABS, while less resistant to light and strong solvents.
It is manufactured with the highest quality pigments to prevent discoloration and fading.
The Cost Factor
From a cost perspective, PVC has an advantage as it's cheaper than ABS and other plastic materials. ABS is the most expensive edge banding solution in the plastic segment. However, the added cost comes with benefits, such as being easier to work with and offering a more environmentally friendly solution
Processing and Installation
When it comes to processing and installation of these materials, ABS is frequently preferred. It is more convenient to process on edge banders, and the edge banding trimming knives have a longer lifespan. PVC is more difficult to process in edge banders than ABS due to its robust composition. It can, however, withstand even the most potent solvents, making cleanup easier after application.
Another notable distinction in the installation procedure is the usage of laser technology. ABS is ideal for laser technology due to its fire resistance and lack of toxic fumes when burned. PVC, on the other hand, cannot be used for laser or Air-tech technology because of the poisonous gas it emits when burned.
Color Strength and Size Versatility
Both PVC and ABS offer a high level of color strength, with the same technology of printing used for both materials. However, most manufacturers can produce PVC in a wider range of width and thickness than ABS, offering more size versatility. This could make PVC the only
material suitable for your project if you require a specific size that ABS cannot provide
The Final Verdict
So, which one is better: ABS or PVC? The answer isn't straightforward. It depends on your specific needs and constraints. If you prefer laser applications, ABS is your only option. If you're looking for a more cost-effective solution or need a specific size, PVC might be the best choice. Remember to consider all the factors - environmental impact, fire resistance, durability, cost, processing, and installation process - before making your decision.
In conclusion, the choice between ABS and PVC edge banding involves careful consideration of a variety of factors. Both materials have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will depend on the specific needs and circumstances of your project. Whether you opt for the more expensive, environmentally friendly, and fire-resistant ABS, or the cheaper, more durable, and solvent-resistant PVC, you'll be choosing a material that offers a durable surface to protect your board edges.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of PVC Edge Banding for Side Sealing. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.