ABS

Tough, Versatile Engineering Thermoplastic

A proven material for functional prototypes, housings, fixtures and durable end-use parts. FDM ABS offers a great balance of strength, impact resistance and heat resistance for demanding applications.

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FDM ABS 3D printed functional parts
  • Tough &Impact Resistant
  • GoodHeat Resistance
  • Machinable, Sandable &Paintable
  • Ideal for Functional Prototypes& End-Use Parts

Material Overview

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a widely used engineering thermoplastic for FDM 3D printing, known for its toughness, impact resistance and good thermal performance. It is a versatile material suitable for functional prototypes, tooling, jigs and fixtures, and durable end-use components.

FDM ABS parts can be machined, sanded and painted to achieve high-quality finishes, making it a popular choice for both technical and aesthetic applications.

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Representative Technical Specifications

Representative values — actual properties vary by grade, build orientation and process parameters.

Property
Representative Value
Notes
Tensile Strength
34–43 MPa
Depending on build orientation and grade
Refined Finish
1.7–2.4 GPa
Depending on build orientation and grade
Enhanced Surface Finish
84–87°C
For representative general ABS grades

Common Applications

  • Enclosures & Housings

    Enclosures & Housings

    Durable enclosures for electronics, industrial equipment and more.

  • Jigs, Fixtures & Tooling

    Jigs, Fixtures & Tooling

    Custom tools and fixtures for manufacturing and assembly.

  • Ducts & Connectors

    Ducts & Connectors

    Functional air ducts, fluid handling parts and custom connectors.

  • Functional Components

    Functional Components

    Strong, reliable parts for demanding applications.

Finishing Options

  • Support Removal

    Clean removal of supports and surface preparation.

  • Sanding & Surface Smoothing

    Improve surface finish and appearance.

  • Painting & Coating

    Wide range of colors and finishes.

  • Machining & Tapping

    Post-machining for critical features and threads.

Related FDM Materials

  • ASA

    ASA

    UV resistant for outdoor use.

  • PETG

    PETG

    Tough, chemical resistant.

  • Nylon

    Nylon

    High strength and wear resistance.

  • Polycarbonate

    Polycarbonate

    High impact and temperature resistance.

Technician finishing FDM ABS 3D printed parts

When to Choose ABS for FDM 3D Printing

ABS is suited to FDM 3D printing projects that need a combination of toughness, impact resistance, heat resistance and post-processing flexibility.

It is commonly considered for functional prototypes, housings, jigs, fixtures, tooling and end-use components where the part may need to be sanded, painted, machined or tapped after printing.

ABS may be a suitable option when your project requires:

  • Tough functional parts
  • Impact-resistant components
  • Good thermal performance
  • Machinable or tappable features
  • Sanding and surface finishing
  • Painting or coating
  • Functional prototypes and manufacturing aids

ABS vs Other FDM Materials

Material selection depends on how the finished part will be used. ABS can be compared with other FDM materials based on properties such as impact resistance, heat resistance, outdoor use, chemical resistance and wear resistance.

FDM Material
Characteristics shown on Champ3D material pages
Consider it for
ABS
Tough, impact resistant, heat resistant, machinable and paintable
Functional prototypes, housings, tooling and durable parts
ASA
UV resistant for outdoor use
Outdoor applications
PETG
Tough and chemical resistant
Applications where chemical resistance is important
Nylon
High strength and wear resistance
Parts where strength and wear resistance are priorities
Polycarbonate
High impact and temperature resistance
Parts requiring increased impact and temperature resistance

Frequently Asked Questions

ABS 3D printing uses Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene as the printing material. ABS is a widely used engineering thermoplastic for FDM 3D printing and is known for toughness, impact resistance and good thermal performance.

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