Styrene or ABS?

[TKCaleb]

I am very new at all this, and I personally do not own my own set of armor yet. I have been looking at many sets of armor and I have found the TE2 is one of the most accurate armor being produced. I have heard that the armor is made of Styrene which allows the pulls to be very sharp and accurate to the molds, however I heard that the downfall to this material is that it can easily crack if mishandled compared to ABS plastic. Can anyone who has constructed and handled TE2 armor give me any insight into these claims? Thanks!

[TomG[501st]]

Easy crack isn´t right word. HPS/HIPS is a bit different material than ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), but as you can see there is styrene in ABS too. But ABS contains some rubber, then it is more durable and it makes not that sharp pulls than HPS/HIPS. This is true, it even smells different, when you work with it. But generally sharp pulls are sometimes more depended on molds, heating of plastic and power of vacumpump, than used plastic.

ABS is still a bit expensive than HPS. You can crack ABS too, it is on you, how you will use it and on armor are specific parts, that crack the most often (belt, shoulder straps), you can have spare parts or use them not as supporting part. And use canvas belt and velcro straps on shoulders. You still have to think, it is costume not real armor. Then you should know, what you can do in it and what not. If you don´t have source of cheap spare parts.

[TKCaleb]

Easy crack isn´t right word. HPS/HIPS is a bit different material than ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), but as you can see there is styrene in ABS too. But ABS contains some rubber, then it is more durable and it makes not that sharp pulls than HPS/HIPS. This is true, it even smells different, when you work with it. But generally sharp pulls are sometimes more depended on molds, heating of plastic and power of vacumpump, than used plastic.

ABS is still a bit expensive than HPS. You can crack ABS too, it is on you, how you will use it and on armor are specific parts, that crack the most often (belt, shoulder straps), you can have spare parts or use them not as supporting part. And use canvas belt and velcro straps on shoulders. You still have to think, it is costume not real armor. Then you should know, what you can do in it and what not. If you don´t have source of cheap spare parts.

Oh ok, thanks.

 

I just want my future set of armor to be as durable as possible, and I heard a lot of good things about ABS plastic except for its soft pulls.

[SuperTrooper]

There is some great info here:

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Edited February 12, 2021 by gmrhodes13
link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2021

[TKCaleb]

SuperTrooper said:

There is some great info here:

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Hey man! This is exactly what I am looking for! Thanks!

Edited February 12, 2021 by gmrhodes13
link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2021

[VacTrooper]

added to my favorites...

 

i form HIPS for a few reasons:

 

1. i have a shop vac that is bad at vacuum forming armor

2. it's lighter for armor. why form thicker stuff, when the armor will just get heavier?

3. SHAPER DETAILING. and that's what we all want, right?

 

now ABS can be SUPER SHARP (ie, TM armor, the new Laws helmet, etc.), but the stuff is toxic and expensive to form. GO HIPS!