Printing with ABS filaments
ABS or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is another common thermoplastic polymer. As the name suggests, it consists of
Acrylonitrile, Butadiene and Styrene polymers. Many of the characteristics of ABS are similar to the characteristics of PLA. It is compatible to use with a desktop 3D printer, making it popular with beginners. But it does require more effort to use ABS over PLA.
ABS is lightweight, but it has a high tensile strength. It can handle impacts well and is relatively resistant to abrasion. Its price is affordable for most projects, and ABS polymers can withstand many chemical formulas. You also get a high-quality surface finish that is flame-retardant. These factors make it a suitable filament for many household appliances.
Overall, ABS is quite versatile, and there are certain instances where it is the best choice. But there are also concerns about the toxicity of the ABS material when it reaches its melting point. ABS is known to emit fumes when it exits the extrusion head, and there can be quite a strong smell at its melting temperature.
Pros and cons of using ABS
One of the main benefits of using ABS is its strength and durability. ABS can withstand more stress and impact than PLA prints. That makes it a good option for functional parts and prototypes. But ABS will shrink as it cools, so printing requires a heated bed to prevent warping and cracking.
ALso, ABS has a higher melting point when compared to PLA, so it needs to be printed at a higher temperature. So ABS is ultimately more complex to print than PLA. But in turn, this also makes ABS more heat resistant, making it a good choice if your product will encounter heat. A good example would be the handles on a saucepan.
This higher glass transition temperature means the extruder requires a temperature in the 210-250°C range. It is considerably more challenging to work with, especially for beginners. And you must be aware of the smell and fumes when you print with ABS. Take care to use it in a well-ventilated area and take appropriate precautions.
Examples of projects best suited for ABS
So what are the ideal products for ABS plastic? There are several application possibilities for plastic manufacturing with ABS. But many of them are also possible with PLA. In fact, for most uses, you will not see a major difference between PLA and ABS. So at Sculpteo, we offer PLA printing as opposed to ABS. But there are some applications where ABS may be more suitable.
With the lighter weight of ABS, vehicles can decrease their overall weight. This can make them more fuel efficient and more cost-effective to the consumer. But the extra energy required to print ABS makes the price more expensive for the manufacturer. But ABS would be a good choice here with its strong finish that will not scratch easily.
And just like PLA, ABS is an ideal material to manufacture low-cost prototypes. ABS is also one of the more popular plastics to use for constructing vacuum parts. Again, the durable finish can come in many colors and withstand heavy use. Similarly, many plastic medical prostheses are manufactured using ABS material.
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