ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

polymer

amorphous engineering thermoplastic terpolymer

Acrylonitrile butadiene styreneABS-M30ABSplusABS+Stratasys ABSHIPS-compatible ABS

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) 3D printed component

Density

1.05 g/cm³

UTS (FDM as-built (XY))

36–48 MPa

Elongation (FDM as-built (XY))

5.0–18.0 %

Elastic modulus

2–2 GPa

Glass transition (Tg)

100–110 °C

Mechanical & thermal properties — 3 conditions

Property	FDM as-built (XY)	FDM as-built (Z — upright)	FDM acetone vapour smoothed (XY)
Elastic modulus	2–2 GPa	—	—
Ultimate tensile strength	36–48 MPa	22–35 MPa	—
Elongation at break	5.0–18.0 %	2.0–10.0 %	—
Density	1.03–1.07 g/cm³	—	—
Glass transition (Tg)	100–110 °C

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Engineering considerations

Heated chamber is non-negotiable for ABS: without a heated chamber (minimum 70°C), ABS will warp on all but the smallest parts. If using a desktop printer without a chamber enclosure, do not specify ABS — use PETG or ASA instead.
Acetone smoothing process control: optimal results from heated acetone vapour (50–60°C vapour) rather than room-temperature immersion. Over-smoothing rounds sharp edges and enlarges holes — mask holes and critical features. Account for 50–100 µm surface dissolution in final dimensions.
ABS vs ASA selection: for outdoor or UV-exposed applications, ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is an ABS-family material with significantly better UV resistance. ASA prints similarly to ABS and also responds to acetone smoothing. Use ASA instead of ABS for any outdoor application.
Raster angle optimisation: ±45° raster provides the best isotropy between 0° and 90°. For parts loaded in a single direction, 0°/0° raster along the load axis maximises UTS. For torsional loads, ±45° is optimal. Report raster angle in all structural test data.
HIPS support material: ABS is compatible with HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) soluble support, dissolved in d-limonene (citrus solvent). This enables complex internal cavities, overhangs, and enclosed geometries not achievable with breakaway support. Verify machine compatibility — requires dual extrusion.
Bonding and repair: ABS parts can be bonded with acetone (dissolves both surfaces into a joint), cyanoacrylate (super glue), or two-part epoxy. Acetone bonding produces a weld-like joint approaching bulk ABS strength. Useful for large assemblies printed in sections.
Dimensional tolerance: FDM ABS shows ±0.3 mm or ±0.5% typical (whichever larger) in XY; ±0.5 mm or ±0.8% in Z. The Lanzotti 2015 data shows that dimensional error in ABS is primarily driven by raster angle and part orientation relative to the build chamber airflow.

Advantages

Acetone vapour smoothing achieves Ra 0.2–0.5 µm — injection-moulded finish — a capability unique to ABS among FDM polymers
Highest heat resistance of common FDM polymers: Tg ~105°C, HDT ~90°C vs PLA 60/55°C and PETG 80/72°C
Best post-processing flexibility: sanding, priming, painting, plating (electroless nickel/copper), vapour smoothing, bonding with acetone or ABS slurry
Lowest density of common FDM polymers (1.05 g/cm³) — ABS parts are lighter than equivalent PLA or PETG parts
Compatible with HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) as soluble support material in dual-extrusion systems — enables complex geometry with clean support removal
Long-established material ecosystem: Stratasys FDM systems, open-format printers, wide variety of suppliers
Better UV resistance than PLA: ABS fades but maintains structural integrity better than PLA under UV exposure

Limitations

Strong styrene fumes during printing: ABS emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles. Requires enclosure with ventilation or extraction. Not suitable for use in unventilated spaces
Significant warping: ABS has high thermal shrinkage (~1.5% linear) — parts warp from corners if not printed in a heated chamber (70–110°C). Heated chamber effectively mandatory for parts >100 mm in any dimension
Lower layer adhesion than PLA: ABS Z-direction strength ~65% of XY vs PLA ~75–80% XY. Requires careful print temperature optimisation
Acetone smoothing requires fire safety: acetone vapour is flammable. Controlled conditions, fume extraction, and fire suppression required for production-scale use
Not food-safe: ABS is not approved for food contact applications. Use PETG or FDA-compliant grades for food-contact requirements
Moisture sensitivity: ABS absorbs moisture in storage. Dry at 80°C for 2–4h if stored unsealed. Wet ABS shows layer delamination and surface blistering
Lower stiffness-to-weight ratio than PLA: despite lower density, ABS's lower modulus (2.1 vs 3.5 GPa) means stiffer parts require more material than PLA

Typical applications

Functional prototypes and end-use parts requiring smooth surface finish (acetone smoothing)Automotive interior components and under-hood parts in low-temperature zonesElectronic device housings and enclosures near heat sourcesJigs and fixtures for manufacturing processes requiring heat resistanceTooling masters for silicone moulding and thermoformingConsumer product prototypes for visual and functional evaluationFixtures and gauges used near heat sources in production environmentsParts requiring plating, painting, or adhesive bonding (ABS is readily primer-coatable)Soluble support interface material with HIPS in dual-extrusion systems

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Mechanical & thermal properties — 3 conditions

Engineering considerations

Advantages

Limitations

Typical applications

Industries

Standards & certifications

Compatible AM processes (1)

Other polymer materials

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