The short answer
Flame-retardant ABS injection grades are typically rated UL 94 V-0 at about 1.5–3.0 mm and run about 1.16–1.22 g/cm³ density, 100–250 J/m notched Izod and 70–85°C / 158–185°F heat deflection at 1.8 MPa, unannealed. The rating applies only at the thicknesses and colors on the grade’s UL Yellow Card. Most V-0 ABS uses brominated flame retardants. It is a different material from GP ABS, with its own drying, melt temperature and approvals.
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.
This page covers UL 94 V-0 flame-retardant ABS for injection molding. For standard grades see general-purpose ABS, and for how the ratings work see UL 94 flame ratings explained.
Typical spec window
| Property | Typical range | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Flammability | V-0 at about 1.5–3.0 mm; many grades also 5VA or 5VB at about 2.0–3.0 mm | UL 94 (check the UL Yellow Card) |
| Melt flow | Grade-specific; compare only at the same condition | ASTM D1238 or ISO 1133, 220°C / 10 kg, 220°C / 5 kg or 230°C / 3.8 kg |
| Density | 1.16–1.22 g/cm³ | ASTM D792 or ISO 1183 |
| Tensile strength at yield | 38–45 MPa / 5,500–6,500 psi | ASTM D638 or ISO 527 |
| Flexural modulus | 1.8–2.7 GPa / 261,000–392,000 psi | ASTM D790 or ISO 178 |
| Notched Izod, 23°C | 100–250 J/m / 1.9–4.7 ft·lb/in | ASTM D256 (ISO 180 on ISO sheets) |
| Heat deflection, 1.8 MPa, unannealed | 70–85°C / 158–185°F | ASTM D648 or ISO 75 |
| Mold shrinkage | 0.3–0.7% | ASTM D955 or ISO 294-4 |
| Relative temperature index (RTI) | Grade-specific, listed by thickness | UL 746B (UL Yellow Card) |
Typical ranges from published data sheets for V-0 grades in this window. The UL Yellow Card, your grade’s own data sheet and the lot COA are what count.
What it’s used for
- Electrical and electronic enclosures
- Power supply, charger and adapter housings
- Office equipment and printer housings
- TV and monitor back covers
- Appliance parts near heat or electrical sources
How to tell grades apart
- Rating and thickness. UL 94 ratings are given at a minimum thickness. One V-0 ABS grade lists only V-1 at 1.5 mm and V-0 at 2.0 mm and up. Match the rated thickness to your thinnest wall, not the nominal wall.
- Halogenated vs. halogen-free. Most V-0 ABS uses brominated flame retardants, usually with an antimony synergist. Labels such as non-PBBE or non-PBDE exclude specific brominated chemicals but do not mean halogen-free. Halogen-free V-0 is hard to reach in straight ABS, so halogen-free housings usually move to FR PC/ABS.
- 5VA and 5VB. Large enclosures may need a 5V rating as well as V-0. 5VA, with no burn-through of the test plaque, is stricter than 5VB. Check both on the Yellow Card if your end-product standard calls for them.
- Color and UL listing. Yellow Card listings may cover all colors or only certain colors. A custom color or added masterbatch can fall outside the listing unless the producer or color house carries its own listing.
- Flow and impact. High-flow FR grades fill large, thin housings but usually give up impact. FR additives also lower impact and heat deflection compared with GP ABS at a similar flow.
What to put on your RFQ or PO
- UL 94 rating and thickness. For example, V-0 at 1.5 mm, plus 5VA or 5VB if required.
- Listed grade. The producer, grade and UL file number (E-number) that your product listing names.
- Halogen requirement. Brominated allowed, or halogen-free required, and any RoHS or customer restricted-substance list.
- Color. Natural, black or a color code, and whether that color is covered by the UL listing.
- Melt flow with the condition. Nominal value and range at the producer’s test condition.
- Impact and heat. The notched Izod, heat deflection and RTI values your part or listing depends on.
- COA values to check. Melt flow on each lot, and color values for pre-colored resin.
- Packaging. Gaylords or 25 kg (55 lb) bags, lined or sealed to keep moisture out.
- Quantity and release size. Total quantity, how much per release and how often.
A polymer chemist reviews every request and checks the grade against your process before we quote. Every prime lot from our suppliers ships with a COA, and orders start at one gaylord.
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- Same rating, thickness and flow from another producer. The closest swap, but your end-product UL listing may name specific grades. A new grade may need your certification body’s approval before it ships in listed product.
- FR PC/ABS. More heat and toughness, and halogen-free V-0 grades are common. See PC/ABS and Cycoloy C2950.
- Flame-retardant polycarbonate. For more heat and impact at thin walls. See Lexan 940.
- Flame-retardant polypropylene. Better chemical resistance, with less stiffness and gloss. See flame-retardant PP.
- Not GP ABS. General-purpose ABS is typically HB and will not meet a V-0 requirement. See general-purpose ABS.
Common processing problems
- Brown streaks or yellowing from overheating: heat discoloration
- Dark specks from degraded material: black specks contamination
- Silver streaks from moisture: splay silver streaks
- Cracks near cleaners or solvents: environmental stress cracking
- Need a flame rating for a new part: need flame rating
Common questions
What does UL 94 V-0 mean for ABS?
In the vertical burn test, each specimen stops burning within 10 seconds after each flame application, and no flaming drips ignite the cotton below. The rating holds only at the thickness tested. Check the grade’s UL Yellow Card for the thicknesses and colors covered.
Can I use general-purpose ABS instead of FR ABS?
Not where a flame rating is required. GP ABS is typically HB. FR ABS also has higher density and lower impact, so it is not a straight swap the other way either.
Is there halogen-free V-0 ABS?
It is uncommon, because halogen-free V-0 is hard to reach in straight ABS. Most halogen-free V-0 housings use FR PC/ABS with phosphorus-based flame retardants. If your customer bans halogens, put it on the RFQ.
How should FR ABS be processed differently?
Dry it at about 80–85°C / 176–185°F for 2–4 hours. Keep melt temperature and residence time at the low end of the data sheet range, since brominated FR packages can degrade, discolor and corrode tooling when overheated. One V-0 grade lists barrel zones of about 180–220°C / 356–428°F.
Tell us the grade you run now
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a qualified equivalent 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