ABS Filaments in 3D Printing

ABS or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene filament is used for the manufacture of a multitude of products because it is a very resistant, lightweight and relatively inexpensive material, making it one of the most widely used plastics in the industry.

• Acrylonitrile: provides chemical and thermal resistance.
• Butadiene: provides toughness and impact resistance.
• Styrene: provides rigidity and ease of processing.

From creating LEGOs to musical instruments to piping systems, medical devices to woodworking panels.

In the world of 3D printing, ABS filaments are widely used, second only to PLA filaments. ➡︎ This is because it is a material that melts and cools without altering its properties, making it ideal for use in 3D printing. But what other qualities does it have?

• It is a very resistant material (scratches, heat, chemicals) and has a great durability. It is the 3D printing material that best withstands heat and pressure, so it is difficult to break during printing.
• It gives very good printing results, provided that it is configured correctly and at the indicated temperature.
• The pieces made with this material can be sanded and manipulated, in addition to being glued with acetone. They can also be painted with acrylic colors.

Although this type of filament has a number of drawbacks:

• The temperature at which it must be printed must be adequate and cool slowly, otherwise the adhesion between coats will not be optimal.
• There may be shrinkage problems between layers and cracking (craking effect) if the environment is too cold.
• There may be shrinkage in the corners of the part (warping effect).

Properties of ABS as a Filament

As we have already seen, ABS filaments within 3D printing are recommended when physical properties related to impact and high temperature resistance are required. In addition, it has a wide range of colors.

Currently, other types of ABS filaments are emerging to which additives are added to modify their properties and improve problems such as warping. For example, there are ABS with aramid fibers that reduce warping.

At Winkle we have two types of high quality ABS:

• ABS HF, has a great ease of 3D printing and is much faster, since, thanks to its additives, it improves warping and cracking, achieving greater flexibility in the final parts.
• ABS HI, has a great ease of 3D printing since, thanks to its additives, it avoids warping and cracking. In addition, the printed parts have a higher impact resistance.

ABS applications:
ABS is abrasion and wear resistant, making it suitable for applications requiring durability in friction environments, and is known to be an electrical insulator by withstanding electric shock.

• Electronics and office: ABS is used in the manufacture of components for computer keyboards, printers, fax machines and housings.
• To create plastic alloys and decorative parts for vehicle interiors.
• Construction: it is commonly used to produce plastic pipes and corrugated plastic structures.
• Safety and protection: it is used to manufacture safety and protection helmets.
• Toys and consumer products: LEGO bricks and plastic toys.
• It is also used in the production of kitchen utensils and vacuum cleaners.
• Prototypes and preview models.
• Musical instruments. Flutes and some others that have some similarity.