ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Smooths to a glossy finish under acetone vapor. Best for indoor parts that need to take a hit.
ABS is the only material in our lineup that's acetone-soluble. Expose a printed part to acetone vapor and the surface smooths to a glossy finish that hides layer lines. The catch is sunlight: ABS yellows and gets brittle under UV, so it stays indoors.
The surface finish is matte with visible layer lines as printed. Acetone vapor smoothing turns that surface glossy and improves layer adhesion. Parts machine, drill, tap, sand, and bond well. Acetone also works for solvent welding.
Specifications
- Heat deflection (0.45 MPa)
- 98 °C
- Tensile strength
- 36 MPa
- Charpy impact (notched)
- 9 kJ/m²
- Density
- 1.05 g/cm³
- Price tier
- $$
When to use
Indoor parts that need to handle moderate heat (up to about 85 °C in service), absorb impact, or take an acetone-vapor polish. The go-to engineering plastic when UV exposure isn't a factor.
When not to use
Sustained UV exposure embrittles ABS, so it isn't built for outdoor service. Its heat ceiling is around 85 °C — beyond that, the part softens under its own weight. ABS also dissolves in acetone, ketones, and similar solvents, so it's the wrong material for parts that contact those chemicals.