What is ABS

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) belongs to the family of thermopastics and is one of the most popular materials in 3D printing. It is used by both personal and professional printers.

This material has its melting point between 200 and 250 ° C, can withstand relatively low temperatures (up to -20 ° C) and high temperatures (80 ° C). Like PLA, it is printed using molten filament technology, but unlike it, ABS requires a thermal printing tray (between 90 and 105 ° C) and is not biodegradable. It resists shock well thanks to the elastomeric polybutadiene structure.

ABS is already very common in the composition of the objects that surround us: appliances, computers, toys ... Lego's famous blocks are manufactured mainly with this material. In addition, it absorbs little water and can be easily coated, as it is very receptive to varnish, paint, metal baths ... ABS is not highly flammable although it does maintain combustion. If a flame retardant is applied, the ABS can be fireproof.

This plastic is more indicated when the force is sought in the result or when what is going to be printed will be exposed to extreme temperatures, and its price is somewhat higher than the PLA.

At Imprimakers we offer the 

3D printing on request in ABS

.

Characteristics of parts in ABS

High temperature resistance
Accepts machining well
Resistance to impacts and chemical attacks
Less economical than PLA
Average quality level in details
Oil-based material

Available colours

Black
Pantone
Black
White
Pantone
White

Technology used

FDM or molten deposition modeling is a manufacturing process used for the prototype modeling and the production of small and medium runs . This modeling uses an additive function, depositing the material in layers, to form the piece.

A filament that is initially stored in rolls is used, and it is inserted into a nozzle that is above the melting temperature of the material and can travel in three electronically controlled axes. The nozzle moves to drop the material in the correct location, drawing the model line by line. When a layer is drawn, the base drops by a layer thickness (0.1-0.4) so that the printer can continue with the next layer.

When the model to be printed has sections that protrude or have a high angle, a support structure is created where it is considered necessary and printed on a material that can later be easily removed, in some cases soluble. This is done so that the model does not settle in the air, thus preventing the layer from falling.

Examples of this material

Properties table

PROPERTY VALUE TEST METHOD
Density 1,04 g/cm^3 ISO 1183
Softening temperature 91 ºC 0,45 MPa / ISO 75-A
Elongation at break 20% ISO 527
Flex module 1900 MPa ISO 178
Tension force 39 MPa ISO 527