ABS Plastic vs. Polyurethane
 

What's the difference between ABS Plastic and polyurethane? Is one better than the other or are they pretty much the same?

the way I understood was that polyeruetahne is lighter and a little stronger but requires painting. and ABS plastic is basically made with the color already in it, so if it scratches you still have the color underneath....

i could be wrong though.

ABS is polystyrene plastic with a synthetic rubber component (butyl) added to it, to make it "tougher" (less prone to cracking, and more able to withstand impact without shattering). It is a thermoplastic, which means it can be melted and reprocessed. Thermoplastics have long polymer chains that are not connected to one another.

Uerethane is a thermoset material, meaning that it also has long polymer chains, but they are cross linked. This means that it takes a chemical reaction to process the material, and once the part is formed, it cannot be melted down and reused. It will instead burn if heated. Other thermosets include resins used for fiberglass, bondo, or even two part paints used in autobody. Ployeurethane is not the same thing, but the chemical process is similar.

For suspension bushings, bumpers, and other parts where taking sustained impacts without significant damage is important, Polyuerthane is a much better material. Especially for things like bushings, where friction is constant, heat can build up, and ABS would melt. Polyuerethane is much more resistant to heat (before degradation occurs) and much more resistant to impacts. But it costs more.

Polyurathane is light like fiberglass but much stronger than fiberglass and even abs. However ABS isnt bad at all if fact I would take it over fiberglass. My friend has a neon and be bought a full abs body kit from AVS and it had to be painted so I believe no matter which way u go ur going to have to paint

Actually, Polyurethane is not stronger than fiberglass. Nor is ABS. Both are more impact resistant, but not as good at handling structural loads. If they were, you would build boats out of those two materials instead of fiberglass.

Fiberglass is a composite (it has glass strands in it, which are suspended in a thermoplastic resin). Polyuerethane is not. Nor is ABS. In a composite material, the glass or (in the case of carbon fiber, carbon filaments) strengthen and reinforce the finished part.

cool! thanks for the clarification :bt:

...but can you get to the minus world in Super Mario Bros?

Yes, and also remember most of the secrets in Zelda 1.

minus world? what is this you speak of??

minus world => Swim, Swim... as fast as you can...

Actually, its funny you should mention video games, because the other day I got pissed off and quit playing Doom after the second level. Video games just aren't my thing. 'Spose I should stick to drinking beer as a second hobby.