Cycolac MG38: specs and equivalent grades
Very high impact ABS for injection molding, from NexPoint Materials in the Americas and Europe (formerly SABIC; SABIC elsewhere). Published data, grades from other producers to ask about, and how to request a quote from one gaylord.
Request a QuoteThe short answer
Cycolac MG38 is a very high impact acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), sold for injection molding where toughness, rigidity and fatigue resistance matter. It was a SABIC grade; in the Americas and Europe the CYCOLAC business is now NexPoint Materials. Published melt flow is 3.7 g/10 min, measured at 230°C / 446°F, 3.8 kg, ASTM D1238, and specific gravity is 1.05 (ASTM D792). Grades from other producers to ask about include Terluran HI-10, Polylac PA-709 and Polylac PA-747. They are not identical, so compare the data sheets and run a trial before switching.
Buying Cycolac MG38: one gaylord to a railcar · supplier COA on every prime lot · ships from 22+ partner warehouse locations · a polymer chemist checks the grade code before we quote · we aim to quote within one to three business days
Have a part number or drawing callout?
Paste it as written. A polymer chemist will tell you which grade it calls for, suggest equivalents and quote it by email.
Cycolac MG38 specs from the data sheet
Typical values from the SABIC data sheet for Cycolac MG38 (distributor copy; NexPoint says existing SABIC documents stay valid until they are reissued under its name). Typical values are not specifications; the lot COA shows what you actually receive. Values only compare at the same test method and condition.
| Property | Value | Test method or note |
|---|---|---|
| Producer (brand owner) | NexPoint Materials in the Americas and Europe (formerly SABIC); SABIC elsewhere | Data sheet shows SABIC Innovative Plastics; NexPoint is SABIC's former engineering thermoplastics business, now independent; it says existing SABIC documents stay valid during its transition |
| Polymer | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), very high impact | |
| Process | Injection molding | |
| Melt flow | 3.7 g/10 min (230°C / 446°F, 3.8 kg, ASTM D1238); 14 g/10 min (220°C / 428°F, 10 kg, ISO 1133) | |
| Density | Specific gravity 1.05 (ASTM D792); 1.04 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) | |
| Tensile modulus | 2,270 MPa (329,000 psi) | ASTM D638 and ISO 527 |
| Tensile strength at yield | 44.0 MPa (6,380 psi) | ASTM D638 |
| Elongation at break | 26 % | ASTM D638 |
| Flexural modulus, 50 mm span | 2,340 MPa (339,000 psi) | ASTM D790 |
| Notched Izod impact, 23°C / 73°F | 370 J/m (6.9 ft-lb/in) | ASTM D256 |
| Notched Charpy impact, 23°C / -30°C | 28 kJ/m² / 10 kJ/m² | ISO 179/1eA |
| HDT 0.45 MPa / 1.8 MPa, unannealed, 3.2 mm | 95°C / 203°F; 80°C / 176°F | ASTM D648 |
| Vicat softening temperature | 98°C / 208°F (B50); 100°C / 212°F (B120) | ASTM D1525, ISO 306 |
| Mold shrinkage, flow, 3.2 mm | 0.50–0.80 % | Producer internal method |
| Flammability | UL 94 HB at 1.5 mm; RTI 60°C | UL 94, UL 746 |
| Drying | 82–93°C (180–200°F) for 2–4 h; max moisture 0.10 % | Producer processing guide |
| Melt / mold temperature | 218–260°C (424–500°F) / 49–71°C (120–160°F) | Producer processing guide |
| Food contact | The data sheet makes no food-contact statement. Ask for the producer's regulatory letter for the exact grade and color. |
Source data sheets are listed at the bottom of this page. Confirm against the current sheet for your exact grade code and color.
Grades to ask about instead of Cycolac MG38
These grades from other producers have similar published specs. None is a drop-in replacement: additive packages, flow at molding shear rates, color and approvals differ. If your part, drawing or customer approval names Cycolac MG38, any change needs your approval and usually a trial.
| Grade | Producer | Melt flow | Density | Key property | How it compares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terluran HI-10 | INEOS Styrolution | MFR 8 g/10 min (220°C / 428°F, 10 kg, ASTM D1238); MVR 1.7 cm³/10 min (230°C / 446°F, 3.8 kg, ASTM D1238) | 1.03 g/cm³ (ASTM D792) | Notched Izod 8.4 ft-lb/in (about 450 J/m) at 23°C (ASTM D256); tensile modulus 290,000 psi (about 2,000 MPa) (ASTM D638) | Partial match. Very high impact, medium-flow ABS for injection molding and extrusion; listed for appliance housings and lawn and garden parts. Tougher but less stiff than MG38, and much lower flow (MFR 8 vs. 14 g/10 min at 220°C / 10 kg). Listed on INEOS Styrolution's Americas product site. Quote this alternative › |
| Polylac PA-709 | Chi Mei | 0.5 g/10 min (200°C / 392°F, 5 kg, ASTM D1238) | Specific gravity 1.03 (ASTM D792) | Notched Izod 8.4 ft-lb/in (about 450 J/m) at 3.2 mm (ASTM D256); flexural modulus 320,000 psi (about 2,200 MPa) (ASTM D790); HDT 85°C at 1.8 MPa, unannealed | Partial match. Chi Mei's super-impact ABS. Flow is measured at a different condition; its low value (0.5 g/10 min at 200°C / 5 kg) suggests lower flow, so check it in a trial. Imported supply; confirm origin. Quote this alternative › |
| Polylac PA-747 | Chi Mei | 1.1 g/10 min (200°C / 392°F, 5 kg, ASTM D1238) | Specific gravity 1.03 (ASTM D792) | Notched Izod 7.5 ft-lb/in (about 400 J/m) at 3.2 mm (ASTM D256); flexural modulus 310,000 psi (about 2,140 MPa) (ASTM D790); HDT 85°C at 1.8 MPa, unannealed | Partial match. High-impact general ABS with impact close to MG38. Different flow test condition; imported supply. Quote this alternative › |
From each producer's published data. Brand owners and grade names change; confirm on the current data sheet.
Typical uses for Cycolac MG38
From the producer's data sheet and published listings:
- Injection-molded parts that need very high impact with good rigidity (the producer's description)
- Parts that see repeated loading, where the sheet highlights good fatigue resistance
- Parts where a UL 94 HB rating at 1.5 mm is enough (check the UL Yellow Card for your color)
What to check before you switch
- Brand owner change: in the Americas and Europe, Cycolac MG38 now comes from NexPoint Materials. NexPoint says grades stay the same and SABIC-branded documents remain valid while they are reissued.
- Toughness vs. stiffness: MG38 balances 370 J/m notched Izod with a 2,270 MPa tensile modulus. Terluran HI-10 is tougher but less stiff; check snap fits, bosses and wall deflection.
- Melt flow conditions differ: MG38 is listed at 230°C / 3.8 kg (ASTM) and 220°C / 10 kg (ISO), Chi Mei at 200°C / 5 kg, INEOS at 220°C / 10 kg (mass) and 230°C / 3.8 kg (volume). Numbers at different conditions do not convert; fill a trial tool.
- ABS takes up moisture. The MG38 sheet lists drying at 82–93°C for 2–4 hours to 0.10 % maximum moisture. See our resin drying guide.
- Same producer, lower impact: Cycolac MG47 is NexPoint's multi-purpose ABS (notched Izod 320 J/m, MFR 5.6 g/10 min at 230°C / 3.8 kg) if MG38 is more toughness than the part needs.
- Compare melt flow, density and impact only at the same test condition and method (ASTM vs. ISO results differ).
- Ask for the producer's food-contact or regulatory letter for the exact grade if the part needs one.
- Run a trial lot and check shrinkage, cycle time and appearance before you switch production.
Buying Cycolac MG38: price, lead time and lot size
- Lot size. From one gaylord to a railcar. See gaylord, LTL and truckload for typical weights per box.
- Where it ships from. 22+ partner warehouse locations. Material already in a partner warehouse usually moves sooner than a grade that has to come from the producer; your quote says which applies.
- Price. We do not publish prices because they move with feedstock, freight and order size. What moves your price most: lot size, color, ship-to region, and whether you need Cycolac MG38 itself or can accept a matched alternative. See how resin is priced and the monthly market update.
- Paperwork. Supplier COA on every prime lot (what a COA shows). Ask for the producer’s regulatory letter or UL file if your part needs them.
- Trying an alternative? Start with one gaylord as a trial lot, molded and checked before you commit a full release.
- If Cycolac MG38 itself is not available. Some branded grades are sold only through the producer’s own channels or go on allocation. If we cannot source it, we tell you, then quote a matched alternative with a side-by-side comparison.
Send the grade code, your annual volume and ship-to location. A polymer chemist checks it before we quote; we have been in the resin business for 30+ years. For several grades at once, use the resin RFQ template.
Trade names belong to their owners. ResinBridge is not affiliated with these producers; grade names are used only to identify the material. Data reflects published sheets as of October 2026.
Sources
- SABIC CYCOLAC MG38 data sheet (distributor copy, PDF)
- NexPoint Materials transition hub
- INEOS Styrolution Terluran HI-10 product page and properties
- Chi Mei Polylac PA-709 data sheet (PDF)
- Chi Mei Polylac PA-747 data sheet (PDF)
- SABIC CYCOLAC MG47 data sheet (Protolabs, PDF)
- nexpointmaterials.com product page
Common questions
What is Cycolac MG38?
Cycolac MG38 is a very high impact ABS sold for injection molding, with good rigidity and fatigue resistance. In the Americas and Europe it now comes from NexPoint Materials, the former SABIC engineering thermoplastics business.
What is the melt flow of Cycolac MG38?
3.7 g/10 min, measured at 230°C / 446°F, 3.8 kg, ASTM D1238, per the published data sheet. The sheet also lists 14 g/10 min at 220°C / 10 kg, ISO 1133.
What is equivalent to Cycolac MG38?
Grades from other producers to ask about include Terluran HI-10, Polylac PA-709 and Polylac PA-747. None is identical; compare data sheets and run a trial, and get approval if your part names Cycolac MG38.
Is Cycolac MG38 food-contact compliant?
The data sheet makes no food-contact statement. Ask for the producer's regulatory letter for the exact grade and color before using it in a food-contact part.
Can ResinBridge quote Cycolac MG38?
We quote Cycolac MG38 when our supply partners can source it. If they cannot, we say so up front and quote a matched alternative, named on the quote with its data sheet, so you can decide whether to trial it. We quote Cycolac MG38 where we can source it, or a matched alternative, and say clearly which one you would get. Orders start at one gaylord; U.S. and Canada only.
If your grade is not listed, tell us what you run. We source commodity, engineering and specialty resins.
Need Cycolac MG38 or an equivalent?
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a matched alternative and prices it.
What to send for an accurate quote
- The grade name, from any supplier, or a data sheet
- Color (natural, black or a custom match)
- Fill type and percentage, if any
- Melt flow, if you know it
- Quantity for this order and what you use in a year
- Ship-to city and state or province
Quote Cycolac MG38 or a matched alternative
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