Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene [ABS] Filament for 3D Printing
Overview
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) was the most popular material used to print the first 3D models a few years ago and remains extremely popular today. This material is very durable, slightly flexible, lightweight, and can be easily extruded, making it perfect for 3D printing.
Advantages
- Durability: ABS is known for its high strength and impact resistance, making it suitable for functional parts and prototypes.
- Flexibility: Slight flexibility allows for some bending before breaking, which is useful in many applications.
- Lightweight: Its low density contributes to its lightweight nature.
- Ease of Extrusion: ABS requires less force to extrude compared to PLA, making it easier to print small parts.
Disadvantages
- High Printing Temperature: ABS requires higher temperatures for printing, typically around 210° – 250° C, with a glass transition temperature of about 105°C.
- Fumes: The printing process releases intense fumes that can be hazardous to pets and people with respiratory issues. Therefore, printers should be placed in well-ventilated areas, and it is advisable to avoid inhaling the fumes during printing.
Cost
ABS is the cheapest 3D printing material, making it a favorite in the 3D printing community.
Properties of ABS Plastic
- High Strength
- Impact Resistance
- Toughness
- Heat Resistance
- Good Electrical Insulator
- Moisture Resistance
- High Strength-to-Weight Ratio
Technical Specifications
- Density: 1.0 to 1.4 g/cm³ (62 to 87 lb/ft³)
- Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity): 3.1 to 3.2
- Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential): 15 to 16 kV/mm (0.59 to 0.63 V/mil)
- Elastic (Young’s, Tensile) Modulus: 2.0 to 2.6 GPa (0.29 to 0.38 x 10⁶ psi)
- Elongation at Break: 3.5 to 50 %
- Flexural Modulus: 2.1 to 7.6 GPa (0.3 to 1.1 x 10⁶ psi)
- Flexural Strength: 72 to 97 MPa (10 to 14 x 10³ psi)
- Heat Deflection Temperature at 1.82 MPa (264 psi): 76 to 110 °C (170 to 230 °F)
- Heat Deflection Temperature at 455 kPa (66 psi): 83 to 110 °C (180 to 230 °F)
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 37 to 79 kN-m/kg
- Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS): 37 to 110 MPa (5.4 to 16 x 10³ psi)
- Thermal Expansion: 81 to 95 µm/m-K
Material Properties for 3D Printing
- Printing Temperature: 225°C
- Flow Tweak: 0.93
- Bed Temperature: 90°C
- Bed Preparation: Apply two layers of glue stick followed by one layer of ABS glue
Additional Notes
- Ventilation: Ensure your 3D printer is in a well-ventilated area to handle the fumes produced during printing.
- Handling: Avoid direct inhalation of fumes and always operate in a safe environment.
By understanding these properties and considerations, you can effectively use ABS in your 3D printing projects to achieve high-quality results.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) continues to be a versatile and cost-effective choice for many 3D printing applications due to its balance of durability, flexibility, and ease of use.