【3D Printing】ABS and PC Filament Usage Guide
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Polycarbonate (PC) are two powerful filaments in the realm of technical and industrial 3D printing.
Known for their strength, durability, and heat resistance, these materials are top choices for high-performance applications such as mechanical parts, test models, prototypes, and even lighting fixtures.
However, both ABS and PC present printing challenges, particularly concerning bed adhesion, warping, and layer delamination. To address these issues, many manufacturers recommend using an adhesive on the print bed, an enclosed printer, and for some manufacturers, a temperature-controlled print environment to ensure optimal results.
Despite their similarities, ABS and PC possess unique characteristics. ABS is valued for its impact resistance and cost-effectiveness, while PC boasts superior strength and transparency.
In this article, we will compare how ABS and PC filaments stack up against each other, highlighting their properties, advantages, and limitations to guide readers in selecting the best material for their specific 3D printing projects.
Material Properties
To help you choose the best option for your project, we will compare their strengths, including tensile and impact resistance, and performance under temperature stress, such as heat deflection and glass transition points.
We will also examine hygroscopy, addressing moisture absorption and its effects.
These insights, mostly drawn from manufacturers' data sheets, will clarify the characteristics and ideal applications of each filament.
Strength
Impact strength reflects a material's ability to absorb energy from a sudden force, helping prevent cracks or fractures in impact-prone applications.
Although PC is known for its impact resistance, UltiMaker and Polymaker datasheets show ABS to have a slight advantage in impact strength.
(Applicable to PolyLite ABS and PolyMax PC, UltiMaker Series ABS and PC)
PolyMax PC does have a slight edge over PolyLite ABS, as the former belongs to a unique series of materials with higher impact resistance.
However, if we compare PolyLite PC with PolyLite ABS, the traditional hierarchy still holds true.
This quality makes ABS suitable for applications that need to withstand sudden impacts, although PC remains a good choice.
We will also examine hygroscopy, addressing moisture absorption and its effects.
These insights, mostly drawn from manufacturers' data sheets, will clarify the characteristics and ideal applications of each filament.
Strength
Impact strength reflects a material's ability to absorb energy from a sudden force, helping prevent cracks or fractures in impact-prone applications.
Although PC is known for its impact resistance, UltiMaker and Polymaker datasheets show ABS to have a slight advantage in impact strength.
(Applicable to PolyLite ABS and PolyMax PC, UltiMaker Series ABS and PC)
PolyMax PC does have a slight edge over PolyLite ABS, as the former belongs to a unique series of materials with higher impact resistance.
However, if we compare PolyLite PC with PolyLite ABS, the traditional hierarchy still holds true.
This quality makes ABS suitable for applications that need to withstand sudden impacts, although PC remains a good choice.
Temperature Resistance
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) is a critical indicator of a material's ability to resist deformation under a specified load at elevated temperatures.
Data for UltiMaker S-series materials show ABS to have a heat resistance of 87°C, making it suitable for moderate-temperature applications.
PC surpasses ABS in this regard, with a heat resistance of 111°C, making it ideal for parts subjected to higher thermal stress, such as those on production lines or in heated environments.
The Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) indicates the point at which a material transitions from a rigid, glassy state to a softer, more pliable state.
The aforementioned datasheets state ABS has a Tg of 100.5°C, slightly lower than PC's Tg of 107.7°C.
While the Tg difference is small, PC's higher threshold reinforces its superior performance in high-temperature scenarios.
In summary, PC offers higher overall temperature resistance compared to ABS.
Its higher HDT and Tg values make it a more reliable choice for applications requiring thermal stability and resistance to heat deformation.
ABS, while capable of withstanding moderate heat, is less suitable for high-temperature environments.
Hygroscopy
Hygroscopy refers to a material's ability to absorb moisture from the environment, which can significantly affect 3D print quality and performance.
Moisture absorption can impact extrusion consistency, interlayer adhesion, and overall surface finish, making proper storage crucial for hygroscopic filaments.
ABS has moderate hygroscopy, so its storage requirements are not overly strict.
Standard measures, such as keeping it in a sealed bag or container with desiccant, are usually sufficient to maintain its print quality over time.
PC, on the other hand, is highly hygroscopic and requires careful handling.
It must be stored in an airtight container with desiccant to prevent moisture absorption.
If exposed to humidity, the filament should be dried according to the manufacturer's instructions to restore optimal printing performance and prevent defects such as bubbling or poor interlayer adhesion.
Moisture absorption can impact extrusion consistency, interlayer adhesion, and overall surface finish, making proper storage crucial for hygroscopic filaments.
ABS has moderate hygroscopy, so its storage requirements are not overly strict.
Standard measures, such as keeping it in a sealed bag or container with desiccant, are usually sufficient to maintain its print quality over time.
PC, on the other hand, is highly hygroscopic and requires careful handling.
It must be stored in an airtight container with desiccant to prevent moisture absorption.
If exposed to humidity, the filament should be dried according to the manufacturer's instructions to restore optimal printing performance and prevent defects such as bubbling or poor interlayer adhesion.
Printing
While not the trickiest materials to 3D print with, producing quality parts with ABS and PC requires specific procedures to streamline the process.Each manufacturer provides specific instructions for their formulations, but we've prepared some settings and tips to guide your attempts.
Nozzle Temperature
ABS prints best at temperatures between 220-270°C, while PC requires a higher temperature range of 250-280°C for optimal extrusion and bonding.
Regarding nozzle material, any material can be used, including conventional brass nozzles.
Keep in mind that this does not apply to composite materials, as mixtures with carbon fiber, etc., require higher printing temperatures or are more abrasive.
Heated Bed
For ABS, the heated bed should be maintained between 90-110°C to reduce warping.
PC requires a similar range of 90-105°C for stable adhesion and layer alignment.
Adhesion
Depending on the type of heated bed surface you are using (e.g., glass surface), you will need to use an adhesive to help ABS or PC adhere to it.
Other surfaces, such as PEI textured sheets, can hold prints in place if cleaned correctly and the chamber is heated to optimal temperatures.
Enclosure
An enclosure is highly beneficial when printing with ABS as it helps prevent deformation caused by temperature fluctuations.
For PC, an enclosure is crucial for preventing layer splitting and ensuring consistent results, especially for larger prints.
That said, ensure the printer's electronic components are cooled or located outside the enclosure.
And heat the chamber temperature before starting the print — especially for PC.
Cooling
Cooling fans should be turned off for both ABS and PC.
This minimizes uneven cooling, which helps prevent issues like delamination or cracking.
However, if higher chamber temperatures are used (e.g., 50-60°C), part cooling fans (at around 40% speed) can help with features like bridges that might otherwise sag or have printing defects.
Post-processing
ABS can be smoothed with acetone, producing a glossy finish while enhancing part strength.
For PC, while acetone is compatible with PC, smoothing parts made with this material is not common.
Sanding and polishing are common methods for post-processing PC prints, and many recommend annealing for optimal mechanical effects. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations.
Filaments
Many manufacturers offer ABS and PC. We've curated a selection of popular brands, with three options for each material, to suit different budgets and intended uses, from hobbyists to professionals.
Polymaker PolyLite ABS
This is an affordable and reliable filament designed to meet everyday 3D printing needs.
Produced by Polymaker, its material datasheet shows it offers excellent performance in terms of strength and durability, making it ideal for functional prototypes, mechanical parts, and general-purpose applications.
PolyLite ABS is known for its good layer-to-layer adhesion, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Bambu Lab ABS
Bambu Lab's ABS is an excellent choice for prototyping, providing strong, durable, and reliable prints.
According to the manufacturer, its formulation minimizes warping and ensures good layer adhesion, making it ideal for functional prototypes and complex designs.
UltiMaker ABS
UltiMaker's ABS is a premium filament that delivers high-quality results with minimal warping and excellent interlayer adhesion.
Designed for professional use, it aims to ensure reliable performance when creating durable prototypes, functional parts, and engineering models.
According to UltiMaker, its optimized formulation makes it ideal for demanding applications, providing consistent and precise prints.
Polymaker PolyMax PC
This is an affordable polycarbonate filament with good overall performance.
The manufacturer claims it combines excellent strength, durability, and heat resistance, making it a versatile choice for functional prototypes, mechanical parts, and engineering applications.
Compared to PolyLite PC, PolyMax PC has higher impact strength.
Bambu Lab PC
Bambu Lab's PC offers excellent strength and high heat resistance, making it ideal for demanding applications such as functional parts and engineering prototypes.
Its user-friendly formulation ensures easy printing and minimizes warping, providing reliable and precise results.
Bambu Lab states it is perfect for both professionals and hobbyists.
UltiMaker PC
UltiMaker's PC series is a high-performance filament known for its strength and dimensional stability even when exposed to temperatures up to 110°C.
The manufacturer claims this polycarbonate filament is designed for professional use and excels at producing durable, heat-resistant parts, making it an ideal choice for demanding engineering applications.
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