ABS Material Benefits

• Gloss
• Hardness
• Toughness
• Electrical Insulation
• Chemical Resistant

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or more commonly known as ABS plastics, is a popular material for 3D printing.

It is a “thermoplastic” polymer, which means it softens and can be molded when heated, and hardened when cooled.

ABS is used extensively in traditional manufacturing in a wide array of industries. ABS can take many forms while maintaining its high quality. ABS can also endure extreme weather conditions and is chemical resistant. Because of these qualities, many of the products that we encounter or use on a daily basis are made of this kind of plastic.

For these reasons mentioned, it is no wonder that ABS plastics have become a core ingredient in 3D printing.

The scientific search must continue for developing better materials to be used for manufacturing in 3D printers. Until those discoveries come about, ABS will remain the popular ingredient in 3D printing when it comes to overall quality in terms of hardness, toughness, electrical insulation properties, and gloss. From a purely practical perspective, ABS plastics achieve the necessary level of resistance and toughness required for many products or designs to be considered usable. Learn more about ABS Plastic here.

Looking to learn more about 3D Printing or find free digital design open-source downloads? Visit the Print More, Spend Less 3D Educational Center