ABS Filament: A Complete Guide to Properties, Printing, and Applications

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is one of the most commonly used thermoplastics for 3D printing filament. Known for its strength, flexibility and heat resistance, ABS has become a popular choice for 3D printing a wide range of parts and prototypes across various industries.

What is ABS Filament?

ABS filament is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer, which is also used to produce many injection-molded consumer products. ABS is an amorphous plastic made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene.

The butadiene component grants ABS excellent impact resistance and toughness while the acrylonitrile provides thermal stability. ABS also has good chemical resistance and electrical insulating properties. The styrene component gives ABS a glossy look and improves printability.

Key Properties of ABS Filament

Here are some of the main properties of ABS filament that make it a versatile choice for 3D printing:

• Strong and durable – Parts printed with ABS have high tensile strength and impact resistance. This makes it suitable for functional parts that need to withstand wear and tear.
• Heat resistance – ABS has a glass transition temperature between 105-125°C, allowing it to withstand relatively high temperatures without deforming.
• Good dimensional stability – ABS has low warping and shrinking during printing and cooling. Parts maintain accuracy and precision compared to other materials.
• Flexibility – The butadiene component gives ABS some flexibility and shock absorption. ABS can bend rather than snap under pressure.
• Customizable – ABS can be modified with various additives and fillers to achieve specific properties like UV-resistance, flame retardancy, etc.
• ABS emits no odors – ABS does not produce any unpleasant or harmful odors while heating during 3D printing.

Advantages of ABS Filament

Here are some of the main benefits of using ABS material for 3D printing needs:

• Durable and shock-resistant – Good for functional prototyping and end-use parts like machine components, automobile parts, protective equipment, etc.
• Handles higher temperatures – Suitable for parts exposed to moderately high temperatures like electronics enclosures and housings.
• Smoother surface finish – Easier to sand, paint and vapor-smooth compared to materials like PLA.
• Versatile material properties – Can be modified with additives for specific needs like UV/chemical resistance.
• No unpleasant odors during printing – Safer for indoor 3D printing applications.
• Wider range of color options – Available in standard to fluorescent and metallic colors for aesthetic parts.
• Recyclable material – Leftover ABS material can be recycled and reused. Reduces wastage.

Disadvantages of ABS Filament

While ABS has several benefits, it also comes with some drawbacks:

• Prone to warping – Cooling and contracting of ABS can cause warped corners and layers due to the material’s higher glass transition temperature.
• Brittle over time – Long-term exposure to sunlight causes ABS to become brittle. Performance degrades over time.
• Toxic fumes when heated – Heated ABS produces a nasty burnt plastic smell which can be hazardous without proper ventilation.
• Requires higher print temperatures – ABS needs hotter extruder and bed temperatures of 220-250°C and above 100°C. Not all printers can reach these temps.
• More difficult to print than PLA – Getting good ABS prints requires more tuning and dialing in the right settings.
• Non-biodegradable plastic – ABS does not biodegrade quickly and contributes to plastic pollution if not recycled properly.

How to Print With ABS Filament

To achieve quality ABS 3D prints, you need to optimize your print settings and environment:

Printer Requirements

• Heated Print Bed – An actively heated bed (100-110°C) is essential to prevent warping by keeping the first layer adhered during printing.
• Closed Chamber – Print inside an enclosure to maintain ambient temperatures around the print. Reduces cooling and shrinkage.
• All-Metal Hotend – Use an all-metal hotend capable of 250+°C to handle ABS’s higher printing temps without risk of jams/clogs.
• Proper Ventilation – Ensure proper ventilation as heating ABS produces toxic fumes. Use filters, exhaust fans, etc.

Slicer Settings

• Nozzle Temp – 230-250°C. Start at 240°C. Higher temps improve layer adhesion.
• Bed Temp – 100-110°C bed temperature for the entire print. Helps avoid warping.
• Cooling Fan – Set cooling fan to 0% for first layer, then 20-50% for rest of print. Reduces layer cracking.
• Print Speed – 40-60mm/s print speed recommended. Faster speeds can cause under-extrusion.
• Layer Height – 0.1 to 0.3mm layers work well for ABS. Use 0.2mm for balanced quality and speed.
• Shells – 2-3 shells/perimeters provide good strength. Adding more shells reduces flexibility.
• Top/Bottom Layers – 4-6 solid top and bottom layers prevent vertical cracking.
• Infill – 15-30% gyroid or grid infill provides a good compromise of strength and print time.
• Supports – Use everywhere support angle below 45 degrees to prevent drooping and maintain overhang accuracy.

Bed Adhesion

Proper bed prep is critical for sticking the first layer and preventing warping:

• Clean bed thoroughly – Use isopropyl alcohol to degrease the bed surface.
• Apply adhesive – Use ABS/ASA compatible adhesive like Magigoo ABS, 3DLAC, hairspray. Reapply after a few prints.
• Proper leveling – Level bed as close to the nozzle as possible without scratching.
• Brim/raft – Add a brim of at least 5mm or a raft for optimal adhesion over a large surface area.

Post-Processing

ABS prints require some additional post-print steps:

• Allow the part to cool completely before removing to prevent cracking or warping.
• Use fine sandpaper (150+ grit) to smooth layer lines and improve finish.
• Vapor smoothing with acetone produces glossy ABS parts but can compromise dimensional accuracy.
• Priming and painting works very well on ABS to achieve any desired color/finish.

Best Uses for ABS Filament

Given its well-balanced material properties, ABS filament is a versatile choice suitable for:

Functional Prototyping

ABS is great for creating durable working prototypes that must withstand:

• Mechanical stresses
• Repeated use
• Higher operating temps
• Chemical exposure

Common prototypes include jigs, fixtures, mechanical parts, product housings/cases, specialty tools, etc.

End-Use Parts

ABS printed parts can also serve as low-volume production end-use parts for commercial applications like:

• Automotive components – HVAC fittings, trim pieces, etc.
• Electronic enclosures and frames
• Protective equipment like hard hats, pads, masks
• Durable hobby parts – quadcopter frames, camera mounts, etc.

Concept Modeling

ABS filament allows creating detailed concept models with good aesthetics and finishing possibilities:

• Architectural and construction mockups
• Product design models
• Ergonomic studies
• Exhibition/display artifacts

The ability to easily smooth, paint and finish ABS parts makes it suitable for appearance models.

Best ABS Filament Brands

There are many reputable filament manufacturers offering quality ABS filaments:

Hatchbox – Best overall ABS filament offering good strength in a wide variety of colors. Excellent value for money.

eSUN – Renowned for performance ABS with great interlayer adhesion and reduced warping. Excellent dimensional stability.

MatterHackers – Quality ABS+ filament reinforced with polycarbonate for improved thermal and mechanical properties.

IC3D – Specialty ABS filaments like antibacterial, static dissipative, and flame retardant varieties.

Polymaker – Polymax PLA/ABS blend with combined advantages of both materials and easier, warp-free printing.

3DXTECH – Offers weather-resistant ABS optimized for outdoor use with UV stabilizers and antioxidants.

Keene Village Plastics – Proprietary KVP ABS exhibits low shrinkage and warping compared to typical ABS.

MG Chemicals – ABS-ESD dissipates static electricity, preventing device damage during printing.

Ultimaker – Reliable, consistent ABS filament ideal for Ultimaker printers. Available in a range of colors.

Be sure to follow the recommended print settings from the manufacturer to get the best results from any ABS filament. Checking third-party reviews can also help assess quality and printability before purchasing.

The Future of ABS Filament

ABS has been one of the most prevalent materials for 3D printing since the early days. However, environmental concerns around microplastics and demand for greener alternatives is driving innovation in new materials.

Biodegradable options like PLA have already begun displacing ABS in some applications, especially prototyping. Still, ABS continues to play an important role where high strength and heat resistance are required.

ABS filament manufacturers are also introducing modified options like ABS-ESD, ABS+, and ABS/PC blends to expand capabilities. While growth may be slower compared to other technical filaments, ABS will likely continue as a key material in 3D printing.

Conclusion

ABS has a unique set of properties making it one of the best materials for durable and functional 3D printed parts. Though requiring more optimized printing conditions, dialing in the right settings enables creating strong ABS prints. With proper maintenance and finishing, ABS parts can also achieve smooth, professional visual results.

Continued innovation in material blends and composites will further expand the capabilities of ABS-based filaments. For applications where high strength, heat resistance and accurate details matter, ABS remains an ideal choice.