How Is ABS Plastic Made? ABS plastic is made when acrylonitrile and polystyrene monomers are polymerized with butadiene rubber to create acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This blending is typically accomplished using an emulsification process, wherein materials that would otherwise not mix are formulated into a cohesive single product (think milk, where fats, oil, and water do not separate out of solution but exist as a homogenous mixture). There are also patented formulation processes such as continuous mass polymerization, but emulsification is typically the standard approach utilized in creating ABS plastic. Plastic manufacturers polymerize styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene, resulting in long chains of polybutadienes crossed with styrene/acrylonitrile polymer units. The polymer chains in ABS plastic are held together by the acrylonitrile monomers that form polar attractions to both styrene and butadiene, creating a homogenous and highly durable plastic. The result is a stronger, tougher, and more attractive plastic than that of its constituents. ABS material is favorable for a large list of uses including injection molding, 3D printing, CNC machining, and much more.