Styrene Acrylonitrile resin (abbreviated SAN) is a copolymer plastic consisting of styrene and acrylonitrile. SAN is widely used in place of polystyrene due to its greater thermal resistance. The relative composition is typically between 70 to 80% by weight styrene and 20 to 30% acrylonitrile. Larger acrylonitrile content improves mechanical properties and chemical resistance, but also adds a yellow tint to the normally transparent plastic.
Main applications include food containers, water bottles, kitchenware, computer products, packaging material, battery cases and plastic optical fibres.