ABS Filament: The Classic for Heat-Resistant 3D Prints
ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) is one of the oldest and most proven filaments in 3D printing. It's the same material LEGO bricks are made from – robust, heat-resistant and excellent for post-processing. ABS requires more experience than PLA, but rewards with mechanically superior parts that can be smoothed with acetone. In this guide, you'll learn everything about ABS properties, optimal print settings and when ABS is the right choice.
What is ABS?
ABS is a thermoplastic terpolymer composed of three monomers: Acrylonitrile (chemical resistance), Butadiene (impact resistance) and Styrene (processability). This combination produces a versatile material with excellent mechanical properties.
ABS has been used in industry for decades – from toys (LEGO) to automotive parts to household appliances. In 3D printing, ABS was long the standard material before PLA and PETG became more popular.
ABS is characterized by the following properties:
- High heat resistance (~100 °C glass transition temperature)
- Good impact resistance and mechanical strength
- Smoothable with acetone (chemical polishing)
- Good for post-processing (sanding, drilling, gluing, painting)
- Electrically insulating
- Light and stable
Technical Properties in Detail
| Property | Value | Meaning for Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Print Temperature (Nozzle) | 230–260 °C | Relatively high, requires all-metal hotend above 240 °C |
| Bed Temperature | 90–110 °C | High – heated bed mandatory |
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | ~100 °C | Higher than PETG, suitable for heat-exposed parts |
| Tensile Strength | 40–50 MPa | Good mechanical strength |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ | Lighter than PLA and PETG |
| Impact Resistance | High | Significantly better than PLA |
| UV Resistance | Low | Yellows and becomes brittle under UV light |
| Chemical Resistance | Good | Resistant to many acids and bases, soluble in acetone |
Pros and Cons of ABS
✅ Advantages
- High heat resistance (~100 °C)
- Good impact resistance
- Smoothable with acetone
- Excellent for post-processing
- Electrically insulating
- Light (low density)
- Proven material (LEGO)
- Cheaper than ASA
❌ Disadvantages
- Strong warping (distortion)
- Strong odor during printing
- Harmful fumes (styrene)
- Enclosure required
- Not UV-resistant
- High heated bed required (90–110 °C)
- Harder to print than PLA/PETG
- Not recommended for beginners
Optimal Print Settings for ABS
| Parameter | Recommended Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle Temperature | 240–250 °C | Increase if layer adhesion is poor |
| Bed Temperature | 100–110 °C | Critical for adhesion and against warping |
| Print Speed | 40–60 mm/s | Slower = better quality |
| Fan (Part Cooling) | 0–30% | Little to no fan! Promotes warping |
| Retraction | 4–6 mm (Bowden) / 1–2 mm (Direct Drive) | Too much causes clogs |
| First Layer | 10–20 mm/s, 105–110 °C bed | Slow and hot for best adhesion |
| Enclosure | Required | Constant ~40–50 °C ambient temperature |
ABS vs. ASA: The Comparison
| Property | ABS | ASA |
|---|---|---|
| UV Resistance | ❌ Low (yellows) | ✅ Excellent |
| Outdoor Use | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Heat Resistance | ✅ ~100 °C | ✅ ~95 °C |
| Warping | ❌ Strong | ⚠️ Medium |
| Acetone Smoothing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Price | ✅ Cheaper | ⚠️ More expensive |
| Fumes | ❌ Strong | ⚠️ Medium |
Conclusion: Choose ABS for indoor applications requiring heat resistance. Choose ASA if the part will be exposed to sunlight or weather.
Post-Processing: Acetone Smoothing
The biggest advantage of ABS is the ability to chemically smooth surfaces with acetone vapor. The result: glossy, almost injection-mold-like surfaces.
Acetone Vapor Smoothing Instructions:
- Place the print in an airtight container (glass or metal)
- Put acetone in a separate small dish (not directly on the print!)
- Place both in the container, close the lid
- Wait 15–60 minutes (check according to desired effect)
- Remove the print and let dry for 24 hours
- Acetone is highly flammable – no open flames!
- Use only in well-ventilated rooms
- Wear protective gloves (nitrile)
- Do not inhale fumes
- Keep away from children
Alternative: Brush Method
For targeted smoothing: apply acetone with a brush. Faster, but less uniform. Good for touch-ups or small areas.
Application Areas for ABS
Ideally suited for:
- Heat-resistant parts: Engine bay components, electronics enclosures with heat generation
- Mechanically stressed parts: Gears, brackets, clips
- Parts for acetone smoothing: Visible parts with high-quality surface
- Automotive interior parts: Dashboard components, brackets
- Prototypes: When heat resistance needs to be tested
- Toys: Robust, durable parts (like LEGO)
- Tools: Handles, fixtures, templates
Not recommended for:
- ❌ Outdoor applications (UV degradation → use ASA)
- ❌ Food contact (not food-safe)
- ❌ Beginners without enclosure
- ❌ Printers without heated bed
- ❌ Unventilated rooms
Storage and Care of ABS Filament
ABS is less hygroscopic than PETG or Nylon, but still absorbs moisture, which causes print problems.
Symptoms of wet filament:
- Hissing during extrusion
- Bubble formation
- Matte instead of glossy surface
- Poor layer adhesion
Proper storage:
- In sealed bags with silica gel
- Dry box with dehumidifier
- At room temperature, protected from sunlight
ABS Variants and Special Filaments
Standard ABS
Classic ABS in many colors. Proven, affordable, but requires experience.
ABS+
Modified ABS with reduced warping and improved printability. Ideal for ABS beginners.
ABS-CF (Carbon-Faser)
Reinforced with carbon fibers. Higher stiffness, less warping, but abrasive – hardened nozzle required.
ABS-GF (Glasfaser)
Reinforced with glass fibers. Very stiff, good dimensional stability, also requires hardened nozzle.
Our ABS Filaments in the Shop
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is my ABS print warping?
ABS has a high thermal expansion coefficient. When the print cools, it shrinks and pulls away from the print bed. Solution: Use enclosure, bed at 100–110 °C, enable Brim/Raft, reduce part cooling (0–20%), maintain constant ambient temperature.
Do I absolutely need an enclosure for ABS?
For reliable results: Yes. Small parts (<5 cm) sometimes work without, but larger prints will almost always have problems without an enclosure. A constant ambient temperature of 40–50 °C dramatically reduces warping.
Can I print ABS on PEI plates?
Yes, but with caution. ABS adheres very strongly to PEI and can damage the surface. Use a thin layer of glue stick as a release agent or print on textured PEI. Let the bed cool completely before removing.
How do I remove warping artifacts?
Light warps can be corrected with a heat gun (carefully!) or through acetone smoothing. For severe warping: optimize settings and reprint.
Is ABS stronger than PETG?
ABS has higher heat resistance (~100 °C vs ~80 °C) and is harder, but PETG is more impact resistant (less brittle). For mechanical stress without heat, PETG is often the better choice.
How do I dispose of ABS prints?
In Switzerland, ABS goes in regular household waste. ABS is theoretically recyclable (code 7), but is usually not accepted by recycling centers.
Related Guides
- ASA Filament: The Outdoor Specialist
- PETG Filament: The Robust All-Rounder
- PLA Filament: The Beginner's Favorite
- PC Filament: Maximum Heat Resistance
Note: The information in this guide is based on typical properties of ABS filaments. Specific values may vary by manufacturer. Always consult the technical data sheets.