ABS Filament
ABS is low cost, durable and can withstand high temperatures Overview | Positives & NegativesHardware RequirementsAn Overview of ABS Filament
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) was one of the first plastics used in industrial 3D printers. Today, ABS is still a popular material thanks to its low cost and good mechanical properties.
ABS is known for its toughness and impact resistance, allowing you to print durable parts that will hold up to extra usage and wear. LEGO blocks are made with ABS.
ABS also has a higher glass transition temperature, which means the material can withstand much higher temperatures before it begins to deform. ABS is a great choice for outdoor or high temperature applications.
ABS has a slight odor and also tends to contract quite a bit as it cools, so controlling the temperature of your build volume and the part inside can have major benefits.
Positives
Low Cost
Gives a smoother finish
Good heat resistance
Good wear and impact resistance
Negatives
Printed parts tend to shrink
Has a strong odor while printing
Needs a heated bed/chamber
Heavy warping is possible
Typical Hardware Requirements
Printer Bed
Temperature: 95-110 °C
Heated Bed Required
Enclosure Recommended
Build Surface
Filament Extruder
Temperature: 220-250 °C
No special hot-end required
Cooling Fan
Cooling Fan Not Required
Getting Started
Common Applications
- Cases or project enclosures
- Toys
- Automotive hardware
Sample Projects
Popular Brands
- Hatchbox ABS
- FormFutura ABS pro, EasyFil ABS, TitanX
- eSun ABS, ABS+
- HobbyKing ABS