ABS filament is a strong and versatile material for 3D printing. This the perfect material when you are creating a 3D project that needs to be durable.
Are you looking for a durable and flexible material for your next 3D printing project? Having a difficult time what material to get?
ABS filament could be the best choice. This material helps you produce durable outputs. If this is the quality you want then you’ve got to get an ABS filament.
Don’t worry we’re here to help you get started with this type of filament. We can assure you that with this material, you will have heat-resistant and strong final products.
If you are new to ABS 3D printer filament and want to learn more about this material, then this article is for you! At the end of this article, we will also share with you the best ABS filament in the market.
Contents
What is ABS 3D Printer Filament?
What is ABS Filament? I often hear this question to those who are new to 3D printing. If you are asking the same question, you will find answer in this section.
ABS filaments are available in different colors and sizes. There are 3mm abs filament and 1.75 abs filament. There are also clear abs filament and transparent abs filament. It also has great options for post-processing.
You can explore different projects using this material because of the wide variety. It is high-quality, is available in different color and is strong and durable.
However, beginners may struggle when using ABS filaments for the first time. If you have been using PLA filaments in your previous projects, you still need to make adjustments as there’s a huge difference between the two.
ABS and PLA are the most popular type of thermoplastic. For this reason, they are often compared against each other. If you want to know more about the differences of these two materials, you can check this abs vs pla filament page.
ABS Filament Temperature
ABS filament requires a controlled temperature controlled bed. The recommended bed temperature for ABS is 110°C.
When you work with a new roll of ABS filaments,a general advice would be for you to begin printing at around 23°C. You can then adjust the temperature down or up in 5° increments until such time that you get the right quality and strength that you are looking for.
What happens when the temperature is too high?
When this starts happening, try to lower the temperature incrementally by 5° until such time that your extruder is no longer releasing too much material.
There will be times that you will use a material that may leak more even when the temperature is not that high. We highly recommend that when this happens, you set the retraction higher by 3 to 4 millimeters.
What happens when the temperature is too low?
When the temperature is not high enough, you will observe that the ABS filament will not stick to the first layer. You will also see that the surface of the final product is rough.
It may also be that there are parts that are not as strong as the other parts and you can pull them apart too easily. If this is the case, set the temperature high by 5° and then try to print again. Do this until you finally get line segments that are good and strong on each of the layers.
Best ABS Filament
Now that you know the different details about ABS filaments for 3D printing, we’ll share with you the top three ABS filaments brands that are available on the market today.
| ABS Filaments | Rating | Check Product | Price Per Spool | Recommended Nozzle Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hatchbox | 4/5 |  | $21.99 | 210°C – 240°C |
3rDment | 3.7/5 | | $29.04 | 230°C – 250°C |
MakerBot | 3.5/5 | | $44.59 | 230°C |
1. Hatchbox ABS Filament
Hatchbox is among the brands that we highly recommend when it comes to quality and price. You can be sure that the parts printed using this brand will be good.
You can also check for reviews from other customers, and you will see that they are satisfied with the ABS filaments from Hatchbox. During printing, you won’t be seeing any excess strings. The colors are also great as they remain true to form.
Hatchbox melts and lays down smoothly. I haven’t had any issues with jamming when using this. But this is not a perfect filament as some have a different experience.
Specifications
| Brand | HATCHBOX |
| Diameter | 1.75 mm abs filament |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Color | Black |
- Doesn’t become excessively stringy when printing.
- Colors don’t alter when printed.
- Good quality for its price.
- Most affordable among the three brands listed.
- Some users have experienced that it constantly pops during printing.
- May come in a packaging that is not properly sealed so the filaments have absorbed moisture.
2. 3D Solutech ABS Filament
This brand is very reliable. It may cost a little higher compared to Hatchbox, but it does have some extra features. When you shop for ABS filaments from this brand, it will be a breeze.
Many professionals like this brand because the final product has good layer adhesion, consistent finish, and you can be sure that it is solid. You will certainly get great value for your money with 3rDment ABS filaments.
Specifications
| Brand | 3rDment |
| Diameter | 1.75mm abs filament |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Color | Assorted (black, gray, white, blue, yellow, green, and more) |
- Widely available in many online stores as well as local stores
- Produces parts that are solid with great adhesion, and consistent finish
- High quality product with many satisfied users
- Non-harmful, non-toxic and environment-friendly
-
2-Year warranty
- Can be a bit more expensive than other brands.
- Some spools already have moisture when sent to customers.
- Some parts had spots and bubbles when printed.
3. MakerBot ABS Filament
ABS filaments from MakerBot are made and tested in the US. You can be sure that the quality of the final product is great every time you use it for 3D printing.
MakerBot 3D printers tend to be expensive, but this filament is top-notch. I have used half a spool in two days and never encountered any issues. No clogs. No jams.
This filament is best for Makerbot Replicator 2x. This is also great for beginners because it works without trouble.
Specifications
| Brand | MakerBot |
| Diameter | 1.75mm abs filament |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Color | Black |
| Spool Diameter | 8 inches |
| Spool Width | 3 inches |
| Spool Hub Hole | 2 inches |
- A product of the US.
- Flexible and strong filaments.
- Comes in a variety of colors that you can choose from.
- Some users experienced getting their printer jammed when using this filament.
- There were some filaments that were sent to users that have already absorbed moisture.
- It is more expensive than the other two brands
Conclusion
ABS filament is one of the most popular materials for 3D printing. It is easily and readily available. But this produces fumes with unpleasant smells. In addition, it is not very easy to use compared to PLA.
But ABS filaments are actually not as complicated as you think once you know the basic steps. It just takes time and getting used to. ABS filaments are versatile, strong, and produce heat-resistant parts.
If you want to learn more about filaments and 3D printers, you can visit our homepage.
References:
www.rigid.ink/blogs/news/3d-printing-basics-how-to-get-the-best-results-with-pla-filament
www.allthat3d.com/what-is-3d-printing/
www.allthat3d.com/cheap-3d-printer/
www.amazon.com/MakerBot-ABS-Filament-1kg-Spools/dp/B00K2DCN5U
www.amazon.com/3rDment-ABS-Filaments-Compatible-Ultimaker/dp/B00MH0W8TC
www.amazon.com/HATCHBOX-3D-Filament-Dimensional-Accuracy/dp/B00J0H8EWA
