Kumho Petrochemical ABS HAG-7210 is an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene injection-moulding grade positioned for high-flow filling of thin-wall parts that must retain surface gloss after rapid cooling. The material is manufactured by Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and belongs to the producer’s high-flow ABS segment, where the styrene-acrylonitrile matrix is modified with a grafted polybutadiene rubber phase. The grade is differentiated from higher-impact ABS resins by a higher melt mass-flow rate and a correspondingly lower notched impact energy. The manufacturer’s published nominal melt flow index is 30 g/10 min at 220 °C/10.0 kg when tested to ISO 1133-1:2022. The notched Izod impact strength at 23 °C is approximately 18 kJ/m², which places HAG-7210 below medium-impact ABS 750 and well below high-impact ABS 780. The high-flow characteristic is obtained primarily by controlled reduction of the SAN matrix molecular weight rather than by dilution of the rubber phase; therefore, surface hardness, stiffness, and chemical resistance remain similar to standard ABS, while impact resistance and long-term ductility are reduced.
The molecular architecture of HAG-7210 consists of polybutadiene domains dispersed in a continuous SAN phase. Styrene-acrylonitrile chains grafted onto the rubber particles provide interfacial adhesion and prevent gross phase separation during melt processing. The material is insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons but is attacked by ketones, esters, and chlorinated solvents. Contact with such solvents should be prevented in end-use applications. Stress-cracking resistance in contact with cooking oil, plasticizer, or aggressive release agents may be lower in thin-wall sections, so end-use testing under the specific chemical environment is required. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, particularly for solvent-weld bonding and adhesive joining.
In production-scale use, the typical failure mode observed when drying is inadequate is moisture-induced splay on the advancing melt front, followed by weld-line delamination. When the melt is overheated or residence time is excessive, the part surface may yellow and black specks may appear from degraded material accumulating on the screw root. These failure modes are common to high-flow ABS and are not unique to HAG-7210, but they are amplified by the grade’s lower viscosity and thinner wall sections.
How Does HAG-7210 Differ from a Medium-Impact ABS 750 in Rheological and Impact Terms?
The primary differentiation between HAG-7210 and a medium-impact grade such as Kumho Petrochemical ABS 750 is the shift in the melt-flow/impact balance. The HAG-7210 grade is designed to provide a nominal melt flow index near 30 g/10 min under ISO 1133-1:2022, whereas medium-impact ABS 750 is typically specified in the region of 20 g/10 min. This increase of approximately 50% in melt flow reduces injection pressure loss and permits longer flow length in wall sections of 1.2–1.5 mm. The trade-off is a reduction in notched Izod impact strength from approximately 24 kJ/m² for ABS 750 to 18 kJ/m² for HAG-7210 at 23 °C. At −30 °C, the difference widens further, and published low-temperature data for HAG-7210 is limited. Therefore, HAG-7210 should not be specified for impact-critical components without instrumented falling-dart tests according to ISO 6603-2:2023.
Compared with high-impact ABS 780, HAG-7210 offers substantially lower melt viscosity and better flow length, but the notched Izod value is reduced by roughly 40%. The high-gloss surface appearance of HAG-7210 is generally superior to that of high-impact grades because the lower rubber content reduces surface roughness and improves mould-surface replication. Conversely, compared with super-high-flow ABS grades used for very thin-walled office-machine parts, HAG-7210 retains a moderately higher notched impact value and therefore fills an intermediate position in the Kumho Petrochemical ABS portfolio. Published quantitative gloss values are not supplied in the standard datasheet and are strongly dependent on mould finish.
On a production-scale reciprocating-screw injection machine with a general-purpose 22:1 L/D screw, the material should be processed with a barrel temperature profile of 200/220/230/230/235 °C from feed throat to nozzle. The mold temperature is typically set at 40–60 °C for high-gloss surfaces; increasing the mold temperature to 70 °C improves gloss and reduces internal stress but raises cycle time. Desiccant drying at 80 °C for 2–4 h to a residual moisture content below 0.02% by weight is required before melt processing. At relative humidity above 60%, undried pellets should not remain open for more than 30 min because moisture sorption leads to splay, silver streaking, and local embrittlement. A general-purpose nitrided screw with a compression ratio of 2.2:1 to 2.8:1 and a non-return ring is adequate. For thin-wall sections, the injection velocity should be set high enough to prevent premature gate freeze. The gate freeze time at 1.0 mm nominal wall thickness is shorter than for medium-flow ABS, so the velocity-to-pressure switchover should occur within 0.5 s of the theoretical fill point to avoid sink marks and weld-line weakness. Published spiral-flow length data for HAG-7210 is limited; tool trials on a 1200 kN hydraulic press indicate that a 2.0 mm plaque can be filled with a lower hydraulic pressure requirement than when using a high-impact ABS grade, but the pressure reduction depends strongly on runner diameter, gate geometry, and melt residence time.
Measured Values, Test Conditions, and Compliance Thresholds for HAG-7210
The following data are representative values from the manufacturer’s product data sheet. They are not batch-release limits and should be verified for each supply lot using the cited methods. The values are presented for natural material without colourants, regrind, or additives; commercially formulated colours may shift melt flow, impact, and thermal values.
| Property | Value | Test standard | Test condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 23 °C |
| Melt flow index | 30 g/10 min | ISO 1133-1:2022 | 220 °C/10.0 kg |
| Tensile strength at yield | 43 MPa | ASTM D638-22 | 50 mm/min, Type I specimen |
| Elongation at break | 15% | ASTM D638-22 | 50 mm/min |
| Flexural strength | 64 MPa | ISO 178:2019 | 2 mm/min, 80 × 10 × 4 mm |
| Flexural modulus | 2350 MPa | ISO 178:2019 | 2 mm/min |
| Notched Izod impact strength | 18 kJ/m² | ISO 180:2023 / ASTM D256-23 | 23 °C, 4 mm, notch A |
| Rockwell hardness | 105 R | ISO 2039-2 | 358 N, 12.7 mm ball |
| Heat deflection temperature | 84 °C | ISO 75-2:2013, method A | 1.82 MPa |
| Vicat softening temperature | 95 °C | ISO 306:2022, method B50 | 50 N, 50 °C/h |
| Flame rating | HB | UL 94 | 1.5 mm |
| Mold shrinkage | 0.4–0.6% | ASTM D955-21 | parallel to flow |
Batch-to-batch variation in notched Izod impact strength is typically ±1.5 kJ/m² in production release testing. Colourant masterbatches containing titanium dioxide or carbon black can shift melt flow index by ±2 g/10 min and can alter impact values by up to ±10%. Validation of a specific colour-matched compound is therefore recommended under ASTM D638-22 and ISO 180:2023 before full-scale production. The supplied material is not formulated with intentionally added halogenated flame retardants and is rated HB under UL 94 at 1.5 mm. It is not suitable for applications requiring V-0 flammability performance without external flame-retardant additives. Compliance claims under RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II and REACH 1907/2006/EC should be verified against the current supplier certificate because formulation adjustments may occur between production campaigns.
Electrical housings, small kitchen appliance shells, vacuum cleaner parts, and office-machine covers constitute the main application envelope for HAG-7210. The high-flow characteristic is useful for filling large-area surfaces with a 2.0 mm wall and for reducing clamp-force requirements in multi-cavity tools. Gloss development in these applications is influenced by mould polishing rather than by the resin alone. A mould surface finish of SPI-SPE A2 or better is required to achieve a high specular gloss. Quantitative gloss values are not standardized for HAG-7210 because final appearance depends on mould texture, melt temperature, mould temperature, and injection speed. The material should not be used outdoors without UV stabilization, because unpigmented ABS undergoes photo-oxidative yellowing and impact loss under repeated exposure to ISO 4892-2:2013 cycles. If UV-stabilized performance is required, a separate UV-stabilized grade should be selected. Published long-term weathering data for HAG-7210 is limited; automotive exterior applications are therefore excluded from the recommended usage envelope.
In food-contact or medical applications, the grade should not be selected unless the specific compound, colourant package, and processing aids have been evaluated for compliance with applicable migration and extractables standards. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, and the supplier’s standard documentation does not normally support direct food-contact approval for HAG-7210.
When a Tool Designed for High-Impact ABS Is Used, What Changes at the Gate?
When an existing mould intended for a high-impact ABS grade is charged with HAG-7210, the pressure drop through the runner and gate decreases because of the lower melt viscosity. This change is generally beneficial for fill, but three process boundaries require attention. First, the lower impact strength makes the part more sensitive to weld-line location. Weld-line strength for this grade can be evaluated using a single-gate and dual-gate tensile specimen geometry under ASTM D638-22. Second, the faster solidification of thin sections may require an increase in injection velocity of 10–20% relative to high-impact ABS to maintain surface gloss and avoid short shots. Third, the lower melt viscosity increases the risk of flash at parting lines if clamp force is not maintained. On an 800 kN toggle clamp machine, the flash-free projected area limit for a 1.5 mm wall part is lower than for high-impact grades if mould alignment is worn. The interaction of screw speed, back pressure, and residence time must be controlled to avoid thermal degradation. Melt temperature above 250 °C for more than 5 min causes polybutadiene phase crosslinking, yellowing, and a measurable reduction in notched Izod impact strength. Production trials should include a screw-recovery time check and a visual inspection for black specks and silver streaks at the gate transition. If these defects appear, the screw speed should be reduced or the back pressure adjusted before further cycle optimization is attempted.