ABS Filament Guide: Print Settings, Properties and Uses
What ABS is good for
Parts that face heat, mechanical stress or repeated handling. Tool housings, automotive interior trim, RC car bodies, lego-style bricks, drone parts, anything that lives in a warm or rough environment.
Print settings
- Nozzle 240 to 260 C
- Bed 95 to 110 C, PEI sheet or ABS slurry on glass
- Enclosure strongly recommended, drafts cause cracking and warping
- Layer fan off or under 20 percent after the first few layers
- Slow first layer, 0.2 mm height
- Hardened nozzle not required (ABS is not abrasive)
The warping problem
ABS shrinks as it cools. Without an enclosure to keep ambient temp stable, large prints curl at corners or crack between layers. An enclosed printer plus a sticky bed surface fixes most warping. Brims and mouse-ears on corners help for tall thin geometry.
ABS vs ASA
ASA is the better choice if the part will live in sunlight. ABS is fine indoors and in shaded outdoor positions. Both print similarly. ASA is slightly easier on smell during the print.