ABS for 3D Printing: Все, что вам нужно знать
If you’re getting into 3D printing, you’ve probably heard of ABS. It’s a popular material for making strong and durable prints. In this guide, we’ll break down what ABS for 3D printing is, its properties, benefits, challenges, and how to get the best results when printing with it.
What is ABS?
ABS, short for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a popular material used in 3D printing. It’s a strong plastic that can handle changes in temperature. You’ll often see ABS used with FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printers. Since it was patented in 1948, it has become widely used because it is strong, flexible, and easy to shape.
Properties of ABS
Here are the properties of ABS material for 3D printing:
Механические свойства
ABS does not break easily, even if you drop it or hit it. It stays strong in cold weather, so you can use it for things that need to handle rough conditions. Even though it is tough, it is also lightweight, so it won’t make your parts too heavy. Unlike some brittle plastics, ABS can bend a little before it breaks, which makes it more reliable for many uses.
The table below shows the value of some mechanical properties of ABS.
| Механические свойства | Injection Molded ABS | FDM ABS |
| Прочность на разрыв | 44 MPa | 30 MPa (xy axis) |
| Ударная прочность | 44 J/m | 27 J/m (xy axis) |
| Young’s Modulus | 1790 MPa | 1460 MPa |
| Модуль упругости | 2250 MPa | 45 MPa |
Физические свойства
ABS is a hard plastic with a smooth, matte surface. You can make it shiny by treating it with acetone. It comes in different colors and two common filament sizes (1.75 mm and 2.85 mm), so you have options when printing.
ABS melts at around 200°C, but you need to print it at a higher temperature (230-260°C) for the best results. A heated print bed (80-130°C) is necessary because ABS shrinks when it cools, which can cause it to warp or come off the bed.
If you use an enclosed 3D printer, it will help keep the температура steady and protect you from harmful fumes.
Химические свойства
ABS is made from three ingredients: acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. Each one gives it different properties—acrylonitrile helps with chemical resistance, butadiene makes it tough, and styrene makes it rigid and smooth.
ABS can handle heat and chemicals, so it works well for industrial parts. It is made from petroleum, which is not the most eco-friendly option. However, it is recyclable, even though most recycling centers do not accept it. ABS also absorbs moisture from the air, so you should store it in a dry container before using it to print.
3D Printing ABS
ABS has been used in 3D-печать for years because it produces durable parts that withstand heavy use. When printing with ABS, make sure you’re in a well-ventilated space because it can have a slight smell. Also, ABS shrinks as it cools, so keeping your print area warm and stable will help improve your results.
Pros of ABS 3D Printing
ABS was one of the first plastics used in industrial 3D printers and is still popular today because of the following benefits:
- It’s affordable.
- Strong and durable, making parts less likely to break or crack.
- Good impact and wear resistance.
- Resists heat, so it can handle warm environments like a car or delivery truck.
- Produces smoother prints with less oozing and stringing.
- You can use acetone to remove layer lines for a clearer finish.
- Works well for functional prototypes and end-use parts.
- More accessible for 3D printing compared to injection molding.
- A widely used and standardized material across many industries.
Cons of ABS 3D Printing
There are some challenges of 3D printing with ABS even though it has many benefits, and they are listed below.
- ABS shrinks as it cools, which can make your prints bend or crack.
- It gives off fumes while printing, so you need good airflow.
- Your prints might not stick well to the bed, causing warping or failures.
- You need a heated bed and an enclosed space to stop warping.
- PLA prints easier, sticks better, and doesn’t need as much heat.
Tips for 3D Printing ABS
Want to make 3D printing with ABS easier and more successful? Try these simple tips:
- Keep your printer in a stable-temperature room. Sudden temperature changes can ruin your print. Also, turn off or lower the cooling fan—letting the print cool naturally helps avoid problems.
- Use glue on the print bed. If your printer has a heated bed, set it around 90–100°C. The heat and glue help prevent warping and keep the print from peeling off.
- Print slowly. A slower speed gives each layer time to cool before the next one is added. Start at 30 mm/s and don’t go over 50–60 mm/s to prevent corners from lifting.
- Store ABS in an airtight container. ABS absorbs moisture from the air, which can cause printing issues.
- Keep walls at least 1.5 mm thick. Thinner walls save material and print faster, but anything under 1.5 mm may be too weak, even if you need flexibility.
Applications of 3D Printed ABS Products
This material is great for making protective cases, project enclosures, toys, action figures, and even car parts. If you want to try a project, you can create things like Lego-style bricks, a door latch, or a fidget spinner.
If you’re looking for good ABS filament brands, some popular options include Hatchbox ABS, FormFutura (ABS pro, EasyFil ABS, TitanX), eSun (ABS, ABS+), and HobbyKing ABS.
ABS vs Other Filaments
Other similar filaments of ABS include PLA, PLA+, and PETG, but they have key differences.
PLA (Polylactic Acid): Made from corn starch, it’s biodegradable and great for quick projects like models. Need to decide between PLA or ABS for 3D printing? Well, it’s not as strong as ABS and melts at lower temperatures.
PLA+: An improved version of PLA with added materials. It prints at lower temperatures (200–230°C) and usually gives better print quality than ABS.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol): Strong and durable, it’s UV-resistant, so it’s good for outdoor use. However, ABS handles heat better than PETG.
Check out the table below for a side-by-side comparison of these materials.
| Свойства | ABS | PLA | PETG |
| Impact strength | 200-215 J/m | 26 J/m | 101 J/m |
| Устойчивость к ультрафиолетовому излучению | Average | Average | Better than average |
| Плотность | 1.03-1.14 g/mL | 1.24 g/mL | 1.27 g/mL |
| Теплопроводность | 0.17-0.23 W/mK | 0.111 W/mK | 0.21 W/mK |
| Elongation at break | 10-50% | 7% | 130% |
| Yield strength | 2.96-48 MPa | 70 MPa | 50 MPa |
| Flexural strength | 2400 MPa | 106 MPa | 70 MPa |
| Hardness shore D | 100 | 88 | 106 |
| Tensile strength | 2.96-43 MPa | 59 MPa | 53 MPa |
| Specific heat capacity | 1.60-2.13 kJ/(kg.k) | 1.590 kJ/(kg.k) | 1.30 kJ/(kg.k) |
| Young modulus | 1.79-3.2 GPa | 3.5 GPa | 2.1 GPa |
High Quality ABS-Like Resin 3D Printing
Most ABS 3D printing uses FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), but new resin-based materials now offer similar benefits. While it’s not exactly the same as ABS plastic, it is designed to perform in a similar way. Plus, resin-based printing has some advantages over traditional ABS pellets for 3D printing.
Why Use ABS-like Resin for 3D Printing?
Stronger in All Directions: FDM prints are weaker along the Z-axis (layer seams), while resin prints have even strength in all directions.
Smoother Finish: Resin prints have a surface closer to injection-molded parts, so they are better for the final product.
Faster Printing: With modern resin printers, you can complete full print jobs in less than a day.
ABS for 3D Printing Services - DEK
DEK offers many manufacturing services like 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining. Many customers use ABS 3D printing filament. If you want to learn more or get a free quote, contact us today.
Заключение
ABS is a great choice for 3D printing if you need strong, durable parts. It can handle heat, impact, and wear, making it useful for many projects. However, it does require a heated bed and good ventilation due to warping and fumes.
By following the right printing tips, you can get the best results. Whether you’re making prototypes, tools, or custom parts, ABS is a reliable option for your 3D printing needs.
