Best abs filament for 3d printing

What is ABS Filament?

First off, ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and is a thermoplastic sourced from processed oil. While it’s not the most environmentally-friendly material, its low-cost, strength, and other mechanical properties make it the perfect choice for manufacturers. That’s why it’s used for everything from LEGOs to car interior panels.

As for how ABS relates to 3D printing, it’s considered the 2nd most popular material for filaments, with PLA taking the 1st place spot. Your typical 1-kilogram spool of ABS filament costs under $25, and can be bought from basically any online retailer.

Unfortunately, ABS gets a bad rep in the community because it’s relatively difficult to print. Moreover, plastic is a lot more sensitive to environmental factors (e.g. ambient temperature) than PLA, so achieving high-quality models is more difficult.

When Should You Print with ABS?

Although printing with ABS can make you hate your printer because it’s challenging to print, there are many times when the material is useful. Mainly, though, you should consider printing with ABS whenever strength is a factor for a print. For example, ABS is perfect for printing things like door hinges, gears, a phone case, or a monitor stand.

But ABS filament’s usefulness goes beyond just raw strength!

The material is also a lot more durable and resistant to the elements. While a PLA model will deform under the sun (UV light), prints in ABS filament will keep their shape in outdoors for years. I’ve literally had the same outdoor cup holder on my porch for two and a half years, and there aren’t any noticeable defects yet.

You also want to use ABS filament if you plan on layer smoothing your print, such as for cosplay items or display pieces. That’s because ABS plastic is soluble in acetone (nail polish remover), so you can use this chemical to dissolve the top layer of your print, achieving a shiny surface finish.

Check out our article on acetone vapor smoothing for ABS here to learn more.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Obviously, ABS filament has its ups and downs. We’ve compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages of this filament material below to help you decide if ABS is for you!

Advantages

• Soluble in acetone so that you can layer smooth prints
• Slightly flexible, which makes it very durable
• Terrific mechanical properties, such as high strength, good resistance to UV light, waterproof, and resistance to high temperatures
• Inexpensive and widely available

Disadvantages

• Very difficult to print because the plastic is so sensitive to environmental factors, print settings, and more
• An enclosure and high-temperature heated bed are (basically) required
• Not environmentally friendly
• Considered toxic (not food safe)

How to Print Using ABS Filament?

As we mentioned, printing ABS filament is pretty challenging, especially compared to PLA or PETG. But don’t let that scare you because, in this section, we’ve gone over exactly how you can print this type of filament.

First off, you’ll need an enclosure for your printer. An enclosure traps heat around your printer, ensuring that the ABS plastic has good layer-to-layer adhesion, resulting in stronger prints. An enclosure also keeps out air drafts (winds) to ensure high-quality prints.

Secondly, you’ll need to make sure that your nozzle and heated bed can reach the necessary printing temperatures. That would be around 240 °C and 100 °C, respectively.

If your printer can’t reach these temperatures, you’ll either need to use a different printer or upgrade the heating components on your current one. If you choose the former option, make sure to check out my guide to the best machines for printing ABS filament!

Third, you’ll need a well-tuned slicer profile. The exact slicer settings for printing ABS vary for everyone because every 3D printer is different. A raft or brim is recommended, though, as ABS is known for having issues with bed adhesion.

I recommend starting by using Cura’s default ABS profile for your printer (Dynamic or Regular quality), printing a test model, and adjusting individual settings based on the results. Do this until you achieve a level of quality that you’re okay with.

And that’s it! If you follow these steps, you should be printing high-quality ABS models in no time!

ABS vs. PLA

So how does ABS compare to its nemesis, PLA, the most popular 3D printing material? Well, there’s no clear winner, but there are a good bit of differences between the two.

ABS is a good bit stronger and less brittle than PLA, but PLA is a lot easier to print. That’s the main difference, but there are a few other small ones, like how PLA is more environmentally-friendly and slightly less expensive (by like $1) in most places.

But, overall, I’d say PLA is the better option for beginners and those who want a very stress-free printing experience. On the other hand, ABS is better for printing any part that needs to be strong, durable, or outside. It’s also the better filament material for multi-part assemblies because of its responsiveness to solvents like ABS.

Learn more about ABS vs. PLA here.

ABS vs. PETG

PETG is another popular filament material and is very similar (chemically) to the plastics used in water bottles and a lot of Tupperware. PETG is actually about just as strong as ABS and even more resistant to UV light.

However, ABS is less abrasive, meaning it won’t degrade your nozzle as fast. Additionally, it has a higher temperature resistance, so ABS parts can survive (without deforming) in hotter climates than PETG parts. 

But it’s worth noting that PETG is a good bit easier to print than ABS and no enclosure is required. Sadly, if you’re printing PETG, your models are likely to have some stringing (makes prints look bad), which won’t happen with ABS.

So, if you want strong 3D prints but still want a pretty easy printing experience, PETG is definitely a material you should consider. However, ABS is the better choice for instances where you need that extra temperature resistance or don’t want to deal with stringing on models.

You can learn more about ABS vs. PETG here.

Is ABS Toxic to Print?

Our last bit of background information about ABS relates to its toxicity. Generally, people like to call ABS a toxic filament to print because it can release harmful carcinogens in the air when melted. However, don’t be too scared because, while you can usually smell the melted ABS nearby your printer, most of the fumes stay in your enclosure.

Conclusion

Whether you want to print stronger models or are looking to experiment with post-processing techniques, like layer smoothing, ABS is an excellent 3D printing material. While it’s a bit difficult to print compared to PLA, its strength and versatility prove useful in many scenarios.

But if you’re going to buy an ABS filament, don’t just click the first one you see. Instead, I’d recommend taking a look at Hatchbox or Sunlu’s ABS filaments. Both brands offer an amazing value for your dollar, are decently strong, and are considered reliable by many users.

However, if you want to take your ABS prints to the next level, then perhaps IC3D ABS is the one for you. If you’re willing to drop the extra $10-20 for this brand, you’ll get a whole lot better performance, like improved strength, ease of printing, and more!

Best 3D Printer Filaments (Review 2021)

Once you've chosen your 3D printer, you need to choose the type of filament intended for your project. Filament is a raw material used in 3D printers that will be heated to a high temperature to turn it into a semi-solid state. At this point, the printer can easily create the appropriate design layers and print the entire 3D CAD model onto the plate.

However, as you research the various 3D printer filaments, you will hear of numerous materials that can only make it harder to choose the right one for you. This is especially true for people who are just starting to explore the world of the 3D printing process. nine0003

While most of us are not new to PLA and ABS, there are other fiber materials you should be aware of such as HIPS, PET, PETG, TPE, TPU, TPC and a few others. And to get a better idea of ​​them, here are some of the more typical types of 3D printer filaments available on the market.

3D Printer Filament Types

Polylactic acid (PLA) reigns supreme in the industrial 3D printing world. 3D printing with PLA is so easy. It has a lower plate temperature, so it doesn't need a heating bed and therefore has fewer warping issues. nine0003

It is widely used in prototyping, such as printing low-wear toys, prototype parts and containers. Please note that it cannot be used for anything that has a temperature rating of 60°C or higher as it warps at 60°C. For all other purposes, PLA is suitable for a general 3D printer.

ABS (also known as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is the second most popular 3D printing filament. In general, ABS withstands high loads and high temperatures. Thus, it is suitable for most applications. It is great for items that are frequently handled, dropped or heated. For example, mobile phone cases, high-wear items, automotive trim parts, and electronic houses. nine0003

Nylon filament

Nylon is the preferred family of synthetic polymers for many industries, professional 3D printing being one of them. As for other forms of filament, they have better performance, efficiency, versatility and durability. Given the strength and versatility of nylon, this type of 3D printer filament can be used to make loops, buckles or gears, as well as working prototypes.

PET (G) thread

The most widely used plastic in the world is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is best known as water bottle thread, but it is also used in clothing fibers as well as food containers. Although PET is commonly used in 3D printing, its modified version PETG is becoming more common.

The G in PET stands for glycol, resulting in a more transparent filament that is less prone to cracking and easier to use. PETG is versatile but surpasses many forms of 3D printer filament in its strength and inability to reach high temperatures or withstand strong impacts. The fulfillment of the following conditions makes it an excellent choice for 3D printing filament for practical parts such as mechanical parts, printer parts, and protective materials. nine0003

TPE, TPU, TPC filament

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPE) is a flexible and durable plastic similar to rubber. In addition, TPE is mainly used for the production of auto parts and household appliances.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyester E) is a special form of TPE that is very common among high end 3D printers. Compared to conventional TPE, TPU is significantly more flexible, hence allowing more control during printing.

What's more, TPC (Thermoplastic Copolyester) is also another form of TPE that is not as widely used as TPU. The key advantage of TPC over TPE is its greater resistance to chemical and UV attack, as well as heat (up to 150°C). nine0003

If you need to create items that require a lot of wear, use TPE or TPU because these filaments use 3D printed filaments that are vulnerable to deformation. Products such as toys, mobile phone cases, or wearable items such as wristbands can be some examples of its application. On the other hand, TPC performs well for comparable applications, but outperforms it in harsher environments, including outdoors. nine0003

Wood filament

Technically not wood because it contains wood fiber in enhanced PLA. Generally speaking, wood products are valued for their natural beauty rather than their practical utility. When printing items for tables, tables or shelves, it is recommended to use wood 3D printing media. Any of the application examples include chalices, figurines, and trophies. What's more, it's a truly innovative application for 3D printers, which are often used to model real buildings, structures, or trees. nine0003

Metal thread

Like wood thread, it is not 100% metal. Specifically, it is composed of metal powder, and one of the following materials is PLA or ABS. However, the effects also have a metal-like aesthetic appeal. Metal Infused can be printed for both decorative and practical purposes. Figures, prototypes, toys, including tokens, can be 3D printed from metal and give them a great look. You can also use metallic 3D printer filament to make parts such as tools or finishing components in light applications. nine0003

Biodegradable (biophila) filament

This biodegradable 3D printer filament aims to reduce the impact of all plastic waste into the atmosphere. Although biodegradable 3D filament was originally environmentally friendly, it can still produce quality printed products. Choose this biophile if you don't have special requirements for strength, versatility or endurance. For projects that require prototyping, you can also benefit from these flawless fiber prints that can be biodegraded responsibly. nine0003

Conductive thread

This is a kind of three-dimensional material with conductive carbon particles in it. It is ideal for Arduino-based open source businesses. You'll want to look into this filament if you want to make circuits, LEDs, sensors, and other low voltage projects.

Magnetic filament

PLA magnetic iron filament is as magnetic as the name suggests. This one-of-a-kind filament is made from PLA material impregnated with powdered iron. It is ideal for making fridge magnets and other custom-made decorative items. Also, it can be used to create multiple DIY structures, sensors, educational resources, etc.0003

Top Five 3D Printer Filaments

Access to a 3D printer creates a whole new world of creative printing. There are several purposes and hobbies that 3D printing serves, but they all rely on the same raw material - 3D printer filament.

While unique materials are recommended for durable and impressive models, you need to select the right material for your 3D image. need printer. You also need to consider the quality and attributes of the thread. That being said, finding the right 3D filament is no picnic. nine0003

As such, we sought the advice of tech experts and 3D printer enthusiasts to find the most popular 3D printing filaments on the market. And to give you a clearer idea of ​​their main features and specifications, we have done a detailed analysis to better understand which filament you should pair with your 3D printer. Also, don't forget to click on the buttons below to get the best deals on Amazon!

Plastics for 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? nine0003

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. nine0003

• 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.

• Non-toxic. Due to this, during printing it does not smell or has a barely perceptible aroma of burnt caramel.

• Diverse color palette.

nine0123 Cons:

• PLA is poorly sanded and machined.

• It begins to deform already with a slight heating (about 50 degrees).

• Fragility. Compared to other materials, PLA is very brittle and breaks easily.

• Decomposes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Of course, it will not fall apart into dust, but it can become more brittle and fade. nine0003

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.