Properties, characteristics and uses of ABS filament for 3D printers
The ABS filament for 3D printers (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) quite common in 3D printing and especially in the industry, known to be resistant to low temperatures and light weight.
It is a thermoplastic derived from petroleum, very resistant to impact (shocks) and where one of its advantages is its easy machining, as it reacts correctly to post-production treatments.
ABS can be machined, polished, sanded, filed, drilled, painted, glued etc. with ease, and the finish is still good. In addition, it is extremely resistant and has some flexibility.
This material is more sensitive to temperature changes due to its physical characteristics.
The temperature of the extruder should be about 235 ºC and the platform or hot bed where the molten material will be deposited should be around 120 ºC
There is a difference between ABS and PLA, the ABS being more technical when making a print.
The surplus ABS can be recycled thanks to recycling machines such as Filabot.
Things you should know before you buy ABS:
1. The printing temperature range: the ABS filament needs higher temperatures, with the extruder temperature being 235°C, although the temperature range can be between 230 and 240°C.
2. The ABS printing needs hot bed or base, which should be at 60°C for smaller parts and about 80°C for larger parts.
3. High mechanical resistance: as we mentioned above, ABS is a material that allows the post-processing of printed parts (surface sanding, painting, etc…).
It is also a material quite resistant to impacts (unlike PLA), and at the same time it is lightweight.
4. When printing, you may need help in the adhesion of the first layer print to the base or hot bed, such as Dimafix or 3Dlac. This lack of adhesion of the layer to the surface, or the lifting of the piece, is called Warping.
5. The ABS filament marks are varied, this material was very extended in the FDM printing, but with time, it has been losing ground in favor of the PLA. Many brands still market ABS, the main ones being ESUN, Smart Materials 3D or FormFutura.
6. Depending on the brand you can find different price ranges, being ESUN one of the cheapest brands of ABS filament.
7. As far as conservation is concerned, it should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from humidity, since contact with humidity will make it difficult to print.
8. With the ABS we can get smooth surfaces, since the material reacts chemically with the acetone.
9. No need for coating fans
10. Finally, it should be noted that ABS has a high resistance to temperature, being able to withstand ranges from -20ºC to 80ºC.
Keep in mind, that when you are going to print ABS filament is highly recommended to do it in not cold environments, preferably in heated environments, since the cold affects the printing of the piece.
It is also very important to do it in ventilated places, or with extractors, since the printing gives off polluting gases that can be harmful to health.
What is Warping?
It is one of the most common problems when printing ABS. It is a lifting of the corners due to contraction.
Sections 1.75mm and 3mm
The ABS Filament, like most filaments, is sold in two thicknesses.
- 1.75mm: it is a very common size, it is more used in home FDM or FFF printers than in industrial ones.
- 3mm: is a thickness more present in old printers, or industrial ones.
When we talk about 3mm thickness, we also refer to 2.85mm. An extruder compatible with 3mm is also compatible with 2.85mm.
Filament color range
As with other 3D printing filaments, the variety and range of colors available is quite wide, with 1.75mm and 3mm ABS filaments:
- Transparent
- Skin
- White or Natural
- Black
- in various shades of red
- Various shades of Green
- Yellow
- Blue
- Silver
- Magenta
- pink
- Orange
- And many more…
Weight or Size
There are a variety of sizes available that you can purchase:
- Medium Size Coil M 0.5 – 0.75 Kg: this is a more affordable size, ideal for small prints and if it is your first time with ABS.
- Large Roll L 1 Kg: This is a fairly standardized format and is the most common.
- XL Size Coil +1 Kg: Depending on the brand, you can find different sizes. If you select this option, look at details to see the exact weight, which will depend on each brand.
- XXL Size Coil +4 Kg: Also depends on the brand, in some cases you will find that the size +4Kg corresponds to 5.6 Kg coils.
Range of materials and finishes in ABS
When you go to buy ABS filament, you must take into account that there are several types, highlighting the normal, without any extra property, which is the most marketed, in the list you will find it by standard, there are also the PREMIUM with certain improved qualities. But there are also fireproof ABS filaments, or suitable for medicine.
This is normal ABS, these are normal filaments, where the highlight is its color.
It belongs to the FormFutura brand and is characterized by being easier to print, to post process and to be thermally stable.
These models are marketed by the brands FormFutura ABSpro and Smart Materials 3D Fireproof. It is characterized by being self-extinguishing or flame-retardant, the print or filament burns after 10 seconds.
Belongs to the Smartfil brand of Smart Materials and is characterized by being more resistant than conventional ABS.
You can find effect bronze, silver, copper, or gold of different brands.
Belongs to the Smart Materials 3D brand, the abs with medical purposes is biocompatible with the human body, suitable mainly for rehabilitation cases.
ABS filament brands
In our online store you will find several brands that sell this type of filament, among which we highlight:
- ESUN
- Bag. Stratasys Uprint compatible filaments.
- Smart Materials 3D or Smartfil
- FormFutura.
- TreeD Filaments
In the past, it was more common to find other brands that marketed ABS, such as bq, but with the arrival to the market of new materials, such as PLA or PET or PETG, the number of brands has been reduced.
ABS ClearScent FormFutura Clear 2.85 mm
1 × 32.44€ 
