How do I tell if my plastic sheet is HIPS/polystyrene or ABS? And does it matter?

[John Smith 47Participant @johnsmith47]

Hello

How do I tell if my plastic sheet is HIPS/polystyrene or ABS? And does it even matter?
i.e. Can I not just use cement (e.g. EMA Plastic Weld or Tamiya Extra Thin) to bond HIPS to ABS?

Background
I have come across an old stash of both HIPS and ABS sheets and I cant really tell which is which. I'm trying to work out if it matters….

Thanks

J

[John Smith 47Participant @johnsmith47]

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Abs…styrene. ..
Hips..hi impact poly styrene..
Both soften nicely in acetone..my favourite solvent welder…

Abs will be springer. ..different mechanical properties. .

[John Smith 47Participant @johnsmith47]

Posted by jason udall on 10/11/2015 20:05:38:
Abs…styrene. ..
Hips..hi impact poly styrene..
Both soften nicely in acetone..my favourite solvent welder…

Abs will be springer. ..different mechanical properties. .

So far I think styrene seems easier to file etc.

But can I use them pretty much interchangeably then?

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