Printing ABS: settings, enclosure, ventilation and smoothing
are explained briefly when you hover over or tap them.
ABS is a classic engineering plastic. LEGO bricks and many household appliance housings are made of it, for example. In 3D printing it is popular because it is heat-resistant, can be post-processed well and can be smoothed with acetone. In return, it places greater demands on the printer and the environment than PLA or PETG.
Settings at a glance
| Setting | Guide value |
|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 240 to 260 °C |
| Bed temperature | 90 to 110 °C |
| Part cooling | low, 0 to 30 % |
| Enclosure | strongly recommended |
| Build plate | PEI, with glue stick if needed |
The values on the spool take priority.
Why an enclosure helps so much
ABS shrinks more than PLA or PETG as it cools. When the upper layers cool, they pull on the lower ones and the corners lift from the bed. With large parts, individual layers also split apart.
An enclosed printer keeps the heat in the build chamber and prevents draughts. This is the most important lever against warping. With an open printer, small ABS parts sometimes work, but large parts hardly ever do so reliably. You will find an overview of suitable machines under Enclosed printers.
Tip: Let the bed heat up for 10 to 15 minutes before printing so that the build chamber is warm.
Fumes and ventilation
Printing ABS produces styrene fumes and very fine particles. The smell is clearly noticeable.
- Do not print in the bedroom or a child’s room
- Ensure good ventilation, for example by airing regularly, without direct draughts on the printer
- A printer with an activated carbon or HEPA filter or extraction to the outside significantly reduces exposure
What ABS is good for
- Parts that get warm: dimensionally stable up to around 90 to 100 °C, for example inside a car or on appliances
- Mechanically stressed parts: tougher than PLA
- Parts that are post-processed: can be sanded, drilled and glued well
- Smooth surfaces: through acetone smoothing
For parts that stand outdoors in the sun, ABS is less suitable because it yellows and becomes brittle. For that there is ASA.
Acetone smoothing
ABS dissolves slightly in acetone. If you expose a part to acetone vapour, the surface melts slightly and the layer lines disappear. The result is a smooth, glossy surface.
Important: Acetone is highly flammable and the fumes are harmful to health. Work only outdoors or with very good ventilation, with no open flames and no heat sources nearby, and observe the acetone manufacturer’s instructions. Small details and edges become softer when smoothed.
Typical problems
| Problem | Common cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Corners lift | Draughts, bed too cold | Enclosure, raise bed temperature, brim |
| Cracks between layers | Build chamber too cold, too much cooling | Preheat the chamber, reduce the fan |
| Poor adhesion | Plate dirty | Clean it, apply a thin layer of glue stick |
| Rough surface, crackling | Damp filament | Dry at 70 to 80 °C |
ABS compared
How ABS compares with PLA, PETG, ASA and TPU is shown in the filament overview.