ABS 3D Printing: Tough, Heat-Resistant, Familiar

ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It is what most consumer plastics are made of, from car interiors to power tool housings. Tensile strength sits around 40 MPa. Heat deflection runs about 95 to 100 C.

ABS takes paint well. It can be vapor-smoothed with acetone for a glossy finish. The parts feel familiar to anyone who has handled a molded plastic part.

ABS is the right pick for parts that take heat, parts that get painted, and parts that need to match the feel of an injection-molded original. Common picks include enclosures for electronics, automotive interior parts, and replacement housings.

ABS is also a strong pick when you want to smooth the part with vapor finishing. PETG and PLA do not vapor smooth.

ABS prints around 240 to 250 C. The bed runs hot at 90 to 110 C. Without an enclosed printer, ABS tends to warp at the corners. Our printers are enclosed, so warp is rare.

ABS gives off fumes during printing. We vent our print rooms. You do not need to do anything on your end.

Compared to PLA, ABS takes more heat, takes more impact, and takes paint better. Compared to PETG, ABS takes more heat but is a little less tough.

For most production runs, we suggest PETG first. Pick ABS when the part needs to take heat above 75 C or when the part needs a smooth painted finish.

Skip ABS when the part needs maximum stiffness. Pick PA-CF for that. Skip ABS when the part needs to flex. Pick TPU for that. Skip ABS when cost is the main driver and the part lives indoors. Pick PLA for that.

ABS sits in the middle of our pricing. It costs more than PLA and PETG but less than PA-CF. The per-unit cost drops as volume rises.

For real numbers on your part, upload your STL at get a quote.