What is ABS?#

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

All3DP doesn’t really have an article about ‘what is ABS’ which is unfortunate but see the parent page for a couple of links to their site that goes into more detail as to the different filament types.

Quick summary#

ABS Pros#

• Legos are made with ABS
• Strong
• High impact resistance
• Many colors to choose from
• High glass transition temperature (100C-120C which is quite a bit higher than either PLA or PETG)
• Easily smoothed using acetone

ABS Cons#

• Stinks like plastic and styrene VOCs are bad
  • Use an enclosure and vent to the outside
  • Use an enclosure and an internal carbon filter to absorb the smells/VOCs
  • Suggest not printing in your bedroom or dorm
• Breaks down in UV (use ASA to help confront this issue)
• Requires higher nozzle temperatures (220C-270C)
• Requires heated bed of at least 90C (with most suggestions of 100C-120C)
• High chance of warp
  • Use an enclosure to reduce drafts
  • Use a draft shield (this uses more filament)

Links (no particular order)#

Inland#

• Microcenter inhouse brand
• direct
• Local for many folks so you can browse and impulse buy (I should make this a warning before your wallet cries)
• limited colors

Overture3D#

• direct
• Best part: order direct and it will be shipped by Amazon :)

Paramount 3D#

• direct
• many colors

Atomic Filament#

• direct
• many colors

COEX#

• direct
• many colors
• many spool weights
• mystery spools from transition color extrusion

Fusion Filaments#

• direct, spool-less
• direct, spooled
• many colors
• the best color names

Keene Village Plastics (KVP)#

• Mike no longer buys KVP filament
• Mike thinks Crimson is beautiful unfortunately

Shared Information#