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Abs plastic for 3d printers
Ultimate Materials Guide - Tips for 3D Printing with ABS
Overview
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) has a long history in the 3D printing world. This material was one of the first plastics to be used with industrial 3D printers. Many years later, ABS is still a very 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 building blocks are made from this material for that same reason! ABS also has a higher glass transition temperature, which means the material can withstand much higher temperatures before it begins to deform. This makes ABS a great choice for outdoor or high temperature applications. When printing with ABS, be sure to use an open space with good ventilation, as the material tends to have a slight odor. ABS 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.
- Low Cost
- Good impact and wear resistance
- Less oozing and stringing gives models smoother finish
- Good heat resistance
- Heavy warping
- Needs heated bed or heated chamber
- Produces a pungent odor while printing
- Parts tend to shrink leading to dimensional inaccuracy
Hardware Requirements
Before 3D printing with ABS make sure your 3D Printer meets the hardware requirements listed below to ensure the best print quality.
Bed
Temperature: 95-110 °C
Heated Bed Required
Enclosure Recommended
Build Surface
Kapton tape
ABS Slurry
Extruder
Temperature: 220-250 °C
No special hot-end required
Cooling
Part Cooling Fan Not Required
Best Practices
These tips will help you reduce the chances of common 3D printing issues associated with ABS such as warping and fumes.
Control Warping
One of the most common print quality issues with ABS is warping.
As the plastic cools from its extrusion temperature down to the room temperature, this change in temperature causes the plastic to shrink and contract. This can be particularly troublesome for the first layer, as this change in size can frequently cause the part to separate from the bed, ruining the print. You can minimize this effect using a proper build surface heated to 110º C. The build platform will transfer some of its heat to the first few layers of your part, which will prevent them from shrinking and separating from the bed. It is also common to set the extruder temperature about 10 to 20 degrees higher for the first few layers of your print, which can also help reduce the risk of separation. Simplify3D gives you complete control over your bed and extruder temperatures, so you easily set the desired values on a per-layer basis using the Temperature tab of your process settings. While these changes can help with the bottom layers of your print, taller parts may have issues as the layers get further away from the bed.
When printing larger parts, consider adding an enclosure around your printer to maintain a higher temperature around your print. The enclosure can also prevent wind drafts that could rapidly cool the part during printing. If you’ve followed these steps, but you’re still having trouble with warping and separation, our Print Quality Guide has an entire section dedicated to warping which can give you even more information on the topic: How to Prevent Warping.
Using Brims and Rafts
When printing large parts, or thin delicate parts, you may find that you still have trouble getting these parts to properly adhere to the bed. In these cases, adding a brim or a raft to your print can be a great way to anchor these part to the build platform and prevent warping. A brim will add several rings of plastic around your model on the first few layers, creating extra surface area to hold down the edges of your part. Using a raft will actually print an entirely new plastic structure underneath your print, which can be removed after the print is completed.
The rafts in Simplify3D were heavily optimized for Version 4.0 allowing them to print faster and use more material, but you may still find that a brim is faster for larger parts. If you want to learn more about these options, we have an in-depth article that explains all of the differences between rafts, skirts, and brims to help you get started.
Print In a Well Ventilated Area
Printing with ABS is known to produce a strong odor with fumes that could potentially be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. Avoid confined spaces and place your printer in a well-ventilated area to avoid these issues. Newer 3D printers may include a separate air-filtration system or HEPA filter that can deal with these fumes right from the source. If you printer doesn’t include these features or you’re limited in where you can place it, consider opening a window or using a flexible air duct from your local hardware store to help route the fumes outside.
Pro-Tips
- Bed adhesion can be improved by using an ABS slurry.
You can make this slurry on your own by mixing small pieces of ABS filament with acetone and applying the mixture on the bed. There are also several pre-packaged versions of the product that can be purchased. - When doing a dual extrusion print, PLA can be a good break-away support material as it does not adhere strongly to ABS.
Get Started with ABS
Here are a few tips to help you get started with ABS. You can view some common applications below, select from a typical sample project, or even view popular filament brands if you’re looking to stock up on this low cost material.
Common Applications
- Cases or Project Enclosures
- Toys or Action Figures
- Automotive hardware
Sample Projects
- Lego Bricks
- Door Catch
- Fidget Spinner
Popular Brands
- Hatchbox ABS
- FormFutura ABS pro, EasyFil ABS, TitanX
- eSun ABS, ABS+
- HobbyKing ABS
All you need to know about ABS for 3D printing
Published on June 6, 2019 by Carlota V.
ABS for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a thermoplastic polymer quite common in the industry. It is mainly known for its good impact resistance at low temperatures and for creating lightweight parts. Mainly used in the household appliance sector, it is also found in boat hulls, decoration pieces, toys, and especially in the famous bricks developed by LEGO. ABS plastic is also very popular in the FDM 3D printing market – as it is the most widely used material in this sector with PLA.
Today, we give you an overview of the main characteristics of ABS plastic for 3D printing, including its printing parameters and applications.
Legos are manufactured with ABS
The production process
One of the first plastics to be used with industrial 3D printers, it was developed around 1990. This thermoplastic polymer is what is called a ‘terpolymer’ and obtained most often by polymerization of acrylonitrile and styrene in the presence of polybutadiene – generally 20% acrylonitrile, 25% butadiene and 55% styrene.
Manipulating these proportions can therefore modify the properties of ABS; styrene, for example, is the element that gives ABS its rigidity and brilliance, while butadiene gives it its impact resistance and low temperature properties.
The plastic injection industry is one of the main consumers of ABS plastic: the material has good rigidity, high impact resistance and great lightness, while remaining very affordable in terms of price. It has also been a popular material in the 3D melt-deposited printing market for some years now, one of the first filaments used in the sector with PLA – both materials are easier to print than other technical and inexpensive thermoplastics.
ABS plastic is widely used in injection moulding | Credits: Plastic Precision Molding
The characteristics of ABS filaments in 3D printing
Available in the form of filaments with a diameter of 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm and in several colours, ABS has interesting properties for many industries that want to 3D print functional parts or prototypes.
Although it is more difficult to print than PLA, ABS remains a very popular material for 3D printing professionals due to its resistance to impact and high temperature (between -20°C and 80°C). It is opaque, offers smooth and shiny surfaces and can be welded by chemical processes using acetone.
ABS has a melting temperature of around 200°C, it is therefore recommended that the extrusion temperature be between 230 and 260°C. The use of a heating plate (between 80 and 130°C) is mandatory: it is a plastic that shrinks on contact with air, causing the part to shrink (or warp) and thus detaching itself from the plate. For large parts, it is even advisable to use a special adhesive such as Kapton or an adhesive lacquer. Finally, a 3D printer with a closed enclosure is preferable because ABS plastic emits particles that can be dangerous for the user.
A heating plate is necessary to avoid the phenomenon of warping
In terms of printing supports, ABS is easily printed with HIPS, a material that has the same tray and extrusion temperatures.
This material dissolves quickly in D-Limonene, a lemon-based solvent.
Little post-processing is required when printing with this thermoplastic polymer, a key advantage that will save time in the production of complex parts. It can be painted and resists well to time with few observed deformations. Finally, it is a material that must be kept dry because it absorbs moisture from the air, which will make it much more difficult to print.
Solutions such as the PolyBox allow to keep the filaments protected from humidity
The main manufacturers
Many players now offer ABS plastic in the form of filaments; among the main ones are the well-known supplier Stratasys, the Chinese Esun but also Ultimaker, FormFutura, Innofil3D, etc. There is a wide selection of colours, with prices ranging from 15 to 60€ depending on the brand.
Be aware that there are loaded filaments where additives are added to ABS: for example, ABS based on carbon fibres or aramid fibres, better known as Kevlar.
These fibres, for example, reduce the warping phenomenon of ABS and therefore provide greater precision. Carbon, on the other hand, reinforces the initial mechanical properties of the material. These more technical materials are generally more expensive and have different printing parameters.
Several manufacturers now offer ABS plastic
Finally, although ABS plastic is mainly used in FDM 3D printing, there is an ABS resin for stereolithography that has the same mechanical properties as the ABS thermoplastic.
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Types of 3D printer
Content
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- PLA
- ABS
- HIPS
- PVA
- Petg
- SBS 9000
Every year 3D printing becomes more popular and accessible. Previously, a 3D printer was more like a complex CNC machine, but now manufacturers are meeting users.
Simplified and automated settings that many beginners drove into a stupor. Despite this, it can be difficult for a novice user to understand the variety of constantly appearing plastics for a 3D printer.
The choice of plastic for a 3D printer is very important, especially when the goal is to print a functional model with certain properties. It will be a shame if the printed gear breaks almost immediately, or the decorative model quickly loses its beauty.
It is important to understand whether the printer will be able to work with the selected plastic. Some materials (most often engineering) require certain conditions for successful printing.
First, decide which model you want to print. What properties should it have? Does the model need to be durable? Or is it a master model for further replication, in which the quality of the surface is important?
90% of 3D printers use 1.75 diameter filament. 3mm diameter is rare, but it is better to check in advance which size is used in your printer.
PLA
PLA (Polylactide) is the most popular and affordable 3D printer plastic. PLA is made from sugar cane, corn, or other natural raw materials. Therefore, it is considered a non-toxic, biodegradable material.
Extruder temperature - 190-220 degrees. Table heating is not needed, but if the printer's table has a "heater" for better adhesion, you can heat it up to 50-60 degrees. PLA is very easy to work with. The only requirement is to blow the model. There is practically no shrinkage in this material. When printed, it is practically odorless, and if it smells, it smells like burnt caramel.
Pros:
-
Does not shrink. This makes it easy to build prefabricated or huge models without changing dimensions.
-
There are no specific requirements for a 3D printer. Any working 3D printer will do. PLA doesn't need a heated table or a closed case.
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Non-toxic. Due to this, during printing it does not smell or has a barely perceptible aroma of burnt caramel.
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Diverse color palette.
Cons:
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PLA is poorly sanded and machined.
-
It begins to deform already with a slight heating (about 50 degrees).
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Fragility. Compared to other materials, PLA is very brittle and breaks easily.
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Decomposes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Of course, it will not fall apart into dust, but it can become more brittle and fade.
PLA is perfect for making dimensional or composite models. For example, decorative interior items, prototyping, electronics cases, etc.
Recently, PLA+ has appeared on the market. It may differ from conventional PLA in improved performance. For example, more durable, with improved layer adhesion.
Dummy turbine
Decorative coasters
ABS
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the second most popular plastic for 3D printing due to its properties, availability and low price.
Extruder temperature - 220-240 degrees. The temperature of the table is 80-100 degrees. For printing, a heated table is required at the printer. It is desirable to have a closed chamber, because ABS "does not like" drafts. Due to a sharp temperature drop, it can “unstick” from the table or crack in layers. ABS can smell bad when printing, so it is recommended to use the printer with a closed chamber and filters, or print in a well-ventilated area.
Pros:
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Good strength characteristics allow the production of functional prototypes from ABS.
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Simple mechanical and chemical processing. ABS is easy to sand and drill, and with an acetone bath you can achieve a perfectly smooth surface.
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It is currently the most inexpensive type of plastic for 3D printing.
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Large selection of colors and shades.
Cons:
-
High shrinkage.
Because of this, it can be problematic to manufacture overall products. -
Printing requires a heated bed and a closed chamber. Without this, the ABS may peel off the table or crack in layers.
-
During the printing process, ABS can smell bad. Therefore, it is recommended that you print in a ventilated area or use the printer with a sealed chamber and filter.
ABS is an engineering plastic. It is suitable for the manufacture of simple functional products.
ABS after chemical treatment in an acetone bath
RU model made of ABS
ABS+ differs from conventional ABS in improved strength characteristics (elasticity, rigidity, hardness), less shrinkage and sometimes resistance to certain oils and solvents (eg gasoline).
HIPS
HIPS (high impact polystyrene) - originally conceived as a soluble support plastic for materials with high printing temperatures.
For example for ABS or Nylon.
The extruder temperature is 230-260 degrees. The temperature of the table is 80-100 degrees. It is desirable to have a closed camera for a 3D printer.
Pros:
-
Less shrinkage than ABS.
-
Ease of machining.
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The matte surface looks very advantageous on decorative products.
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Food contact allowed (but be sure to check with a specific manufacturer for certificates)
Cons:
-
For printing, you need a printer with a heated table and a closed chamber.
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More flexible and less durable than ABS. Because of this, it will not be possible to produce functional products.
-
Small palette of colors.
Most often, HIPS is used for its intended purpose for printing on 2x extruder printers as a support for ABS. It dissolves perfectly (though not very quickly) in limonel.
Sometimes HIPS is used as an independent material. Products from it are not very durable, but this plastic is loved for easy post-processing. HIPS can be used for models that will subsequently come into contact with food (not hot).
Using HIPS as a Soluble Support
Decorative vase made of HIPS
PVA
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is a material that was developed as a water-soluble support for PLA.
Extruder temperature - 190-210. Table heating is not required. PVA is a slightly "capricious" material, it is not recommended to overheat it and print at high speeds.
PVA is very hygroscopic and dissolves in plain water. Therefore, it is only used as a support for PLA or other plastics with print temperatures close to PVA.
Soluble PVA Support
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PETG
PETG (polyethylene terephthalate) combines the best properties of PLA and ABS.
It is easy to work with, it has a low percentage of shrinkage and excellent sintering of the layers.
Extruder temperature - 220-240 degrees. Table temperature - 80-100 degrees. During the printing process, the model must be well blown.
Pros:
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Excellent sinterability of layers.
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PETG is very strong and wear resistant. Good impact resistance.
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Virtually no smell when printing.
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Non-toxic.
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Little shrinkage.
Cons:
PETG is perfect for printing functional models. Due to its low shrinkage, it is often used to make large or composite models. Due to its low toxicity, PETG is often used for products that will come into contact with food.
Cookie cutters and patterned rolling pin
SBS
It is a highly transparent material. At the same time, it is durable and resilient.
SBS is a low toxicity plastic. It can be used to print food contact models.
Extruder temperature - 230 -260 degrees. Table temperature - 60-100 degrees. You can print without the closed case on the printer.
Pros:
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slight shrinkage
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Transparency. After treatment with solvent, limonel or dichloromethane, beautiful transparent products with an almost smooth surface can be obtained.
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Easily processed mechanically or chemically.
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Allowed contact with food.
Cons:
SBS is excellent for translucent vases, children's toys and food containers. Or functional things that require transparency, such as custom turn signals for a motorcycle or car, lamps or bottle prototypes.
Vases are perfectly printed with a thick nozzle (0.7-0.8) in one pass (printing in 1 wall or spiral printing in a slicer).
Models of bottles after chemical treatment
Nylon
Nylon (polyamide) is considered the most durable material available for home 3D printing. In addition to good abrasion resistance and strength, it has a high slip coefficient.
Extruder temperature - 240-260 degrees. The temperature of the table is 80-100 degrees. Nylon is a very capricious and hygroscopic material - it is recommended to dry the coil with plastic before use. For printing, you need a printer with a heated table and a closed chamber, without this it will be difficult to print something larger than a small gear.
Pros:
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High strength and wear resistance.
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High slip factor.
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Heat resistance compared to other 3D printing plastics.
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High resistance to many solvents.
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Good for mechanical processing.
Perfectly polished and drilled.
Cons:
Nylon is perfect for making wear-resistant parts - gears, functional models, etc. Sometimes nylon is used to print bushings.
Nylon gear
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Soft plastics
FLEX (TPU, TPE, TPC) is a material similar to silicone or rubber. It is flexible and elastic, but at the same time tear-resistant. For example, TPE is a rubbery plastic, while TPU is more rigid.
FLEX are printed at a temperature of 200-240 (depending on the material). A heated table is not required. On printers with direct material feed (feed mechanism on the print head), there are usually no problems with printing. On a bowden feeder (the feed mechanism is located on the body), printing with very soft plastics can be difficult. Usually it is necessary to additionally adjust the clamping of the bar. The main nuance is the very low print speeds - 20-40mm.
Pros:
Cons:
Depending on the type of FLEXa, the models can be flexible or rubber-like. This material, depending on its softness, can be used to print gaskets, insoles, belts, tracks or other models that require flexibility or softness.
FLEX belt
Trainers with flexible soles
Wheel for switchgear model
Decorative plastics
Decorative plastics are PLA plastics with various fillers (wood or metal shavings).
Or with dyes selected to imitate different materials. Since the base of the plastic is PLA, it is very easy to print.
Extruder temperature - 200-220 degrees (depending on the manufacturer). A heated table is not required.
Pros:
Cons:
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Some fillers (eg clay) are abrasive. For such plastics, the standard brass nozzle cannot be used. Will have to buy a harder steel nozzle.
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Some decorative plastics can clog the small nozzle (0.4 or less). For them, you need to use a “thicker” nozzle.
Depending on the filler, different material properties are obtained. Plastics that use only dye do not require additional processing. Materials with "fillers" may sometimes require additional post-processing.
Plastics with metal fillers after printing must be processed with a metal brush. Then the Metal content will show through and the model will resemble a metal casting.
Plastics with metallic powder
These plastics are often used for printing key chains, decorative models and interior details.
If the plastic has a high content of wood dust, then it is recommended to use a larger nozzle diameter (0.5 or more), a smaller nozzle can quickly become clogged during printing.
Wood-filled plastic ground
Plastic key rings with copper dust
Engineering plastics
These are nylon-based plastics with fillers that improve strength, heat-resistant and other characteristics, help to achieve less shrinkage of the material. For example - carbon fiber, carbon fiber or fiberglass.
Extruder temperature - 240-300 degrees (depending on the manufacturer). Table temperature - 90-110 degrees. Since plastics are based on nylon, the requirements for printing are similar. This is a heated table and a closed printer case.
Pros:
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Hardness and strength.
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Low flammability or non-combustibility.
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High precision due to low shrinkage.
Cons:
3D printers use brass nozzles, some plastics can quickly “waste” it during printing. For such materials it is recommended to use steel nozzles.
These are highly specialized plastics used for a specific task, depending on the filler. For example, functional parts that do not lose their shape when heated, are resistant to many solvents, etc.
Functional Carbon Fiber Composite Prototype
Composite frame
Polycarbonate ashtray
Totals
This is of course not the whole list of materials for 3D printing. There are many highly specialized engineering and decorative plastics for specific tasks.
Manufacturers are constantly trying to replenish the range of materials for 3D printing. Already familiar materials are improved for more comfortable printing. There are many interesting decorative plastics imitating different materials - ceramics, clay, wood, metals.
And of course, the assortment of engineering plastics is constantly updated. Now there are many interesting materials for highly specialized tasks - for example, burnable plastic with a low ash content for subsequent casting in metal.
Burnout plastic
Before buying a coil, read the information on the website of the manufacturer or seller. There you can find some nuances of printing for a particular plastic. The manufacturer indicates the recommended temperature range on the box. Sometimes, for quality printing, it is recommended to print several tests to adjust the temperature settings, retract, etc.
Try to store the started coil in silica gel bags.
It is recommended to additionally dry high-temperature plastics before printing to remove excess moisture.
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ABS for 3D printing
The high strength of ABS makes it suitable for structural applications
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, ABS) is a high-impact thermoplastic that has become very popular in industry and additive manufacturing.
The excellent mechanical and physical properties of ABS plastic make it possible to use this material to create all kinds of objects of practical value.
ABS plastic is widely used in the automotive, medical and souvenir industries, in the production of sports equipment, plumbing, bank cards, furniture, toys, etc.
The relatively low cost of ABS plastic and the relative ease of use as a consumable have led to a high popularity of ABS among 3D printing enthusiasts. ABS is one of the most popular materials for FDM/FFF printing.
Safety ABS
ABS is relatively safe and does not pose a threat under normal conditions. However, heating ABS releases toxic acrylonitrile fumes, which means you need to take some precautions when 3D printing. Evaporation is generally low due to the relatively slow material consumption of FDM printing. To ensure a completely safe environment, only good ventilation of the room or an extractor is required. It is also worth bearing in mind that ABS plastic reacts with ethanol, which leads to the release of styrene.
Do not use finished ABS products to store hot food and drinks or alcohol at any temperature.
ABS Specification
| Glass Transition Temperature | About 105°C |
| Flexural strength | 41 MPa |
| Tensile strength | 22 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | 1627 MPa |
| Elongation | 6% |
| Shrinkage on cooling | Up to 0.8% |
| Material density | Approx. 1.05 g/cm³ |
Please note that the actual dimensions of the 3D printed ABS will depend on the manufacturer's specifications. In many cases, ABS is blended with other thermoplastics (such as polystyrene), resulting in changes in extrusion temperature, resistance to certain solvents, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of ABS
The main disadvantage of ABS is its relatively low resistance to direct sunlight. In addition, the potential toxicity of the material somewhat limits its use in the manufacture of toys, food packaging and medical instruments.
A wide range of colors is demonstrated by Lego bricks made from ABS plastic
At the same time, ABS plastic has a number of positive qualities:
- Almost unlimited colors
- Moisture resistance
- Acid resistance
- Oil resistance
- Relatively high heat resistance, reaching up to 115°C in some material grades
- Non-toxic at relatively low temperatures and in the absence of alcohol exposure
- Increased impact resistance
- High elasticity
- High durability in the absence of direct sunlight
- Easily machinable
- Good affordability
- High solubility in acetone
Use in 3D printing
The result of processing a model made of ABS plastic with acetone vapor
Printing with ABS plastic is associated with certain technological difficulties due to a rather high tendency to shrink, that is, to loss of volume upon cooling.
