3D Printing Plastics Repository

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

	Common Uses
	Consumer	Toys like LEGO Keyboard keycaps Power tool housing 3D printing projects
	Industry	Automotive parts



	Usability
	Hygroscopy	Highly hygroscopic
	Resistance to Elemental Degradation	Degrades in sunlight, with poor weatherability
	Resistance to Chemicals	Dissolves in certain solvents and greases



	Printability
	Resistance to Warping and Shrinkage	Printed parts are prone to warping and shrinkage
	Bed Adhesion	A heated bed is important, as bed adhesion is sometimes poor
	Melt Temperature Range	210°C - 250°C 410°F - 482°F
	Smells	Emits a strong, sweet, toxic smell when melted (styrene). Use adequate ventilation while melting
	Post-Processing Ability	Easy to machine Easy to paint and glue Easy to sand Acetone can be used to polish
	Abrasiveness to Print Nozzle	Low
	Cost to Purchase	~22 USD for a 1kg, 1.75mm spool



	Safety and Environmental
	Toxicity when Solid	Non-toxic
	Toxic Gasses when Melted	Offgasses styrene, which is a hazardous VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). Use adequate ventilation while melting
	Food Safety	Limited food safety. 3D printed parts are not food safe
	Made from Renewable Materials?	No
	Recyclability	Easily recycled

	Common Uses
	Consumer	3D printing projects
	Industry	Food packaging Medical implants



	Usability
	Hygroscopy	Moderately hygroscopic
	Resistance to Elemental Degradation	Deforms in sunlight and in hot conditions
	Resistance to Chemicals	Resistant to most common solvents like acetone High-strength solvents will cause degradation



	Printability
	Resistance to Warping and Shrinkage	Printed parts may warp with insufficient print cooling
	Bed Adhesion	No heated bed is needed
	Melt Temperature Range	190°C - 220°C 374°F - 428°F
	Smells	Emits a slightly sweet, non-toxic smell when melted
	Post-Processing Ability	Sanding/polishing is commonly used to smooth prints
	Abrasiveness to Print Nozzle	Low
	Cost to Purchase	~19 USD for a 1kg, 1.75mm spool



	Safety and Environmental
	Toxicity when Solid	Non-toxic
	Toxic Gasses when Melted	Non-toxic
	Food Safety	Safe if kept pure and uncontaminated. 3D printed parts are not food safe
	Made from Renewable Materials?	Yes, made from ingredients like corn starch or sugarcane
	Recyclability	Easily recycled and industrially compostable

	Common Uses
	Consumer	3D printer prototyping Mechanical and protective components
	Industry	Packaging



	Usability
	Hygroscopy	Moderately hygroscopic
	Resistance to Elemental Degradation	Degrades in hot environments Fares decently under UV light
	Resistance to Chemicals	Highly resistant



	Printability
	Resistance to Warping and Shrinkage	Highly resistant
	Bed Adhesion	A heated bed is not necessary but helps to reduce any warping
	Melt Temperature Range	220°C - 250°C 428°F - 482°F
	Smells	Emits minimal smell when melted
	Post-Processing Ability	Able to be sanded and glued
	Abrasiveness to Print Nozzle	Low
	Cost to Purchase	~22 USD for a 1kg, 1.75mm spool



	Safety and Environmental
	Toxicity when Solid	Non-toxic
	Toxic Gasses when Melted	Non-toxic
	Food Safety	Safe if kept pure and uncontaminated. 3D printed parts are not food safe
	Made from Renewable Materials?	No
	Recyclability	Chemically and mechanically recyclable

	Common Uses
	Consumer	Fabrics, ropes
	Industry	Medical devices Fastener hardware Electrical wiring



	Usability
	Hygroscopy	Highly hygroscopic
	Resistance to Elemental Degradation	Resistant to degradation in heat Fares decently under UV light
	Resistance to Chemicals	Degrades only in strong acids and bases



	Printability
	Resistance to Warping and Shrinkage	Less shrinkage than PA12, but still prone to warping
	Bed Adhesion	Heated, stickier beds help to reduce warping
	Melt Temperature Range	230°C - 235°C 446°F - 455°F
	Smells	Emits caprolactam with a strong sweet/burnt smell when melted. Use adequate ventilation while melting
	Post-Processing Ability	Easy to dye and paint due to high hygroscopy
	Abrasiveness to Print Nozzle	Low
	Cost to Purchase	~37 USD for a 1kg, 1.75mm spool



	Safety and Environmental
	Toxicity when Solid	Non-toxic
	Toxic Gasses when Melted	Caprolactam is emitted when melted. Use adequate ventilation while melting
	Food Safety	Safe if kept pure and uncontaminated. 3D printed parts are not food safe
	Made from Renewable Materials?	No
	Recyclability	Easily recyclable

	Common Uses
	Consumer	Cosmetics applicators
	Industry	Packaging films Insulation



	Usability
	Hygroscopy	Highly hygroscopic but absorbs less than PA6
	Resistance to Elemental Degradation	Resistant to degradation in heat Fares decently under UV light
	Resistance to Chemicals	Degrades only in strong acids and bases



	Printability
	Resistance to Warping and Shrinkage	Shrinks and warps
	Bed Adhesion	Heated, stickier beds help to reduce warping
	Melt Temperature Range	255°C - 270°C 491°F - 518°F
	Smells	Emits a strong sweet/burnt smell when melted
	Post-Processing Ability	Easy to dye and paint due to high hygroscopy
	Abrasiveness to Print Nozzle	Moderate
	Cost to Purchase	~130 USD for a 1kg, 1.75mm spool



	Safety and Environmental
	Toxicity when Solid	Non-toxic
	Toxic Gasses when Melted	Non-toxic
	Food Safety	Safe if kept pure and uncontaminated. 3D printed parts are not food safe
	Made from Renewable Materials?	No
	Recyclability	Possible to recyclable, but more difficult than PA6

	Common Uses
	Consumer	Shelves Food containers
	Industry	Models Prototypes Indoor signage



	Usability
	Hygroscopy	Moderately hygroscopic
	Resistance to Elemental Degradation	Degrades under moderate heat Fares poorly under UV light
	Resistance to Chemicals	Resistant to acids, bases and mineral oils Soluble in D-limonene and other solvents



	Printability
	Resistance to Warping and Shrinkage	Warps when the bed is not heated enough
	Bed Adhesion	Needs a heated bed, ideally with first-layer adhesive
	Melt Temperature Range	220°C - 240°C 428°F - 464°F
	Smells	Emits a strong, sweet, toxic smell when melted (styrene). Use adequate ventilation while melting
	Post-Processing Ability	Easy to machine, glue, and paint
	Abrasiveness to Print Nozzle	Moderate
	Cost to Purchase	~22 USD for a 1kg, 1.75mm spool



	Safety and Environmental
	Toxicity when Solid	Non-toxic
	Toxic Gasses when Melted	Offgasses styrene, which is a hazardous VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). Use adequate ventilation while melting
	Food Safety	FDA-compliant for direct food contact. 3D printed parts are not food safe
	Made from Renewable Materials?	No
	Recyclability	Easily recyclable