3D printing with ABS
- ABS is strong and heat-resistant, but requires high temperatures, an enclosed volume, and good adhesion.
- Start: nozzle 240–250°C, bed 100–110°C, chamber ~45–60°C, fan 0–20%, speed 40–60 mm/s.
- Use PEI/glass + glue/ABS "juice" and a wide brim (8–12 lines) to limit warping.
- Ventilated chamber/box + ventilation reduce particles and odors; works well in a well-ventilated room.
- For outdoor parts consider ASA (more UV stable) with similar settings.
What is ABS filament and when to choose it
Short answer: ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) is a classic engineering filament with good impact resistance and temperature resistance. It is suitable for functional parts, housings, clips, and prototypes that need to withstand mechanical stress and heat. Disadvantages: warping, odor, and the need for an enclosed/warm environment during printing.
When is the logical choice:
- Details that are heated (e.g., in a car interior).
- Clips, brackets, gears with moderate load.
- Models for chemical smoothing with acetone for a glossy finish.
Quick start configuration
These are safe starting values. Fine-tuning is done according to the specific filament and printer.
| Parameter | Starting value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 240–250°C | Check the manufacturer's/material's profile. |
| Bed temperature | 100–110°C | Keep above Tg for good adhesion. |
| Temperature in the chamber | ~45–60°C | Warmer environment = less cracking. |
| Fan | 0–20% | Light blowing only for small overhangs. |
| Speed | 40–60 mm/s | Balance of accuracy/strength. |
| Adhesion | PEI/glass + glue/ABS slurry | Add 8–12 brim lines. |
Equipment and conditions for successful printing with ABS
- Enclosed volume/chamber: a stable warm environment is critical for layer adhesion and minimizes cracking.
- Bed surface: PEI sheet (smooth/textured) or clean glass with glue/ABS “slurry.”
- Ventilation and safety: FFF printers emit ultrafine particles and VOCs (including styrene). Use a ventilated chamber/filter and ventilate the room.
If you are just choosing filament, check out our ABS filaments for 3D printer (various colors and diameters).
Adhesion and warping control
Why it happens: ABS shrinks when cooling; temperature gradients lead to edge lifting and delamination.
- Bed preparation: clean with IPA; use glue/ABS “slurry” on glass or PEI.
- Brim and raft: brim 8–12 lines for “anchor”; use raft for massive parts.
- Temperature profile: keep the bed high (100–110°C) for at least the first 10–20 layers; do not cool aggressively.
- Orientation and design: avoid sharp corners (radii 1–2 mm), add “targets” (mouse ears), avoid huge solid surfaces towards the bed.
- Camera: maintain ~45–60°C; large solid models print more reliably.
Temperatures, speed, and cooling
- Nozzle: 235–260°C depending on filament/nozzle; higher for thick layers or high flow.
- Bed: 95–110°C; stay above the glass transition of ABS for a stable first layer.
- Speed: 40–60 mm/s for general tasks; for critical parts reduce to ~35–45 mm/s.
- Cooling: 0–20%; light cooling only for small overhangs or if the part is “overheating” in the chamber. More cooling = greater risk of deformation.
Accuracy and tolerances for ABS
- Shrinkage: pronounced shrinkage during cooling affects dimensions and can cause cracks in tall parts. Work with a test coupon and adjust the scale (e.g., +0.2–0.6%) for dense functional elements.
- Holes and fits: for holes <10 mm leave +0.2–0.3 mm; for press-fit plan a stepped sample.
Drying and storage of ABS filament
ABS is less hygroscopic than Nylon, but moisture worsens surface and layer adhesion.
- Symptoms of wet ABS: popping/“crackling” during extrusion, matte roughness, micro-voids.
- Drying (approximate): 65–80°C for ~4–6 hours in a dryer/oven with precise temperature control; then store <20% RH in a closed box with desiccants.
- Storage: dry boxes/desiccants or AMS/drybox; monitor RH with a hygrometer.
Note: Drying temperatures are approximate — check the sheet for the specific material; do not exceed safe limits for spools/rolls.
In 3dlarge you can also find filament dryer here.
Post-processing: sanding, adhesion, acetone smoothing
- Mechanical processing: sanding P240→P600, filler, acrylic-based paint.
- Adhesion: acetone or specific ABS solvents; cyanoacrylate for quick assembly.
- Acetone smoothing: smooth, shiny surfaces and hidden layers; works only with good ventilation and no open flame.
ABS vs PLA, PETG and ASA (when which?)
| Material | Strength/Temp. | Difficulty | Odor/VOC | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | medium/low | easy | low | no |
| PETG | good/medium | easy–medium | low–medium | limited |
| ABS | high/high | medium–hard | higher | limited |
| ASA | high/high | medium–hard | lower than ABS | yes (UV stable) |
For outdoor applications, prefer ASA (UV-resistant, less yellowing), with similar mechanics and process.
Common problems and solutions (diagnosis by symptom)
- Corners lifting (warping): bed 105–110°C, 10–12 brim lines, chamber ~45–60°C, fan 0–10%.
- Layer separation: reduce speed to 35–45 mm/s, increase nozzle by +5–10°C, keep the chamber warmer.
- Roughness/bubbles: dry the filament and print from a dry box.
- Lack of first layer adhesion: adjust Z-offset (−0.02–0.05 mm), use glue/ABS juice, clean the bed.
- Overheating of detail: allow 10–20% fan only for small overhangs or thin elements.
Practical recipes (3 ready profiles)
- Large functional case (closed chamber): nozzle 0.4 mm, layer 0.25 mm; 250°C / 105°C; chamber ~55°C; fan 0%; speed 45 mm/s; 6 perimeters, 30% infill.
- Small detail pinch: 0.4 mm; 0.2 mm; 245°C / 100°C; chamber ~45°C; fan 10–15% only for overhangs; 4 perimeters, 40% gyroid.
- Smooth visual model (after acetone): 0.4 mm; 0.16–0.2 mm; 245–250°C / 100–105°C; chamber ~50°C; fan 0%; infill 15–20%; after printing — controlled acetone smoothing.
Safety and environment
- Work in a well-ventilated room or with a ventilated chamber/filtration; this drastically reduces particles and VOC.
- Avoid open flames and sparks when working with acetone/solvents.
- Important: Check local ventilation and safety requirements when working with volatile substances.
Conclusion
ABS provides strong and heat-resistant details, as long as you maintain high temperatures, a stable chamber, and good adhesion. Are you ready to make your first stable print without warping? Get quality filament and test with the above profiles — then optimize according to the model.
Explore ABS filaments for 3D printer and start with a proven printing material like 3dbgprint ABS.
