How to print with ABS Filament?

ABS is a heat-resistant engineering filament (HDT 83°C) that needs an enclosure and good ventilation. Here's how to print Eolas Prints low-VOC ABS without warping.

ABS was the first plastic to be commercially 3D printed and remains one of the most capable engineering materials available to FDM users. Eolas Prints ABS is a significant improvement on standard ABS formulations — lower shrinkage, reduced VOC emissions during printing, and improved mechanical properties — while retaining all the properties that make ABS the material of choice for heat-resistant, impact-tough functional parts.

Key Properties

Heat deflection temperature (HDT)	83°C
VICAT softening point	106°C
Tensile strength	38–45 MPa
Density	1.05 g/cm³
Shrinkage	Low (significantly less than standard ABS)
VOC emissions	Reduced vs standard ABS formulations
Acetone smoothing	Compatible
Food contact safe	No
Diameter tolerance	±0.05 mm

Recommended Print Settings

Nozzle temperature	230–250°C
Bed temperature	90–110°C
Print speed (standard)	40–60 mm/s
Print speed (Bambu Lab enclosed)	Up to 80–100 mm/s
Cooling fan	0–20% — minimal cooling
Enclosure	Required for reliable results
Enclosure temperature	45–60°C ambient
Diameter tolerance	±0.05 mm

Why ABS Needs an Enclosure

ABS shrinks as it cools. Without a controlled enclosure temperature, the thermal gradient between a hot new layer and cooler layers below creates internal stresses that cause warping, lifting, and layer delamination. An enclosure at 45–60°C ambient temperature virtually eliminates these problems by keeping the entire part warm throughout the print.

Even a draught from an open window or air conditioning vent can cause ABS to warp mid-print. Always shield the printer from air movement when printing ABS without a full enclosure.

ABS on Bambu Lab Printers

Bambu Lab printers with an enclosure (X1C, P1S, and the H2D/H2S with enclosure panel) are excellent for ABS. The sealed chamber, engineering plate, and Bambu Studio ABS profiles combine to make ABS nearly as straightforward as PLA on these machines. Key settings in Bambu Studio: use the Engineering Plate, enable the enclosure fan at low speed to circulate heat without cooling the part, and pre-heat the enclosure for 5–10 minutes before starting the print.

Bed Adhesion

• PEI engineering plate (Bambu): Use the textured engineering plate with bed temperature at 100–110°C. Releases cleanly when cool.
• PEI sheet (other printers): Apply a thin glue stick or hairspray layer. Print at 100–110°C bed temperature.
• Glass with ABS slurry: Dissolve ABS scraps in acetone to create a thin slurry and apply to the glass surface. Provides excellent adhesion and is the traditional reliable method.
• Garolite (G10): Exceptional adhesion for ABS, especially large parts. Releases cleanly when cool.
• Always use a brim of 5–10mm for parts with a small footprint or thin base.

Acetone Vapour Smoothing

ABS's most distinctive post-processing capability. Exposure to acetone vapour dissolves and reflows the outer surface layer, filling layer lines and creating a near-injection-moulded appearance. The process takes 1–5 minutes depending on part size and desired smoothness.

Safe method: Place a small amount of acetone in the bottom of a sealed container (a jar or lidded bowl). Suspend the print above the acetone on a platform so it is in the vapour but not touching the liquid. Seal the container and leave for 1–5 minutes. Check regularly — over-smoothing causes loss of fine detail and surface sagging. Always work in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources. Acetone vapour is highly flammable.

Common Issues and Fixes

Warping

Use an enclosure, increase bed temperature to 100–110°C, add a 5–10mm brim, set cooling fan to zero, and eliminate all air movement around the printer. For very large parts, the ABS slurry bed adhesion method provides the most reliable first layer grip.

Layer Delamination

Increase nozzle temperature by 5–10°C, reduce print speed, ensure the enclosure is maintaining temperature throughout the print, and verify the filament is dry. Layer delamination in ABS is almost always caused by insufficient inter-layer temperature (cool air reaching the print) or printing too fast.

Odour and Fumes

Eolas Prints ABS has reduced VOC emissions compared to standard ABS formulations. Even so, always print ABS in a well-ventilated space or with a HEPA + activated carbon filtration system on the printer. Do not print ABS in enclosed living spaces without adequate ventilation.

Post-Processing ABS

• Sanding: ABS sands excellently. Start at 200 grit and work up to 800–1200 grit for a smooth finish before painting or vapour smoothing.
• Painting: Accepts acrylic, enamel, and spray paints well. Apply a plastic-bonding primer for best adhesion.
• Gluing: Cyanoacrylate (super glue), two-part epoxy, or ABS cement (ABS dissolved in acetone) for structural bonds. ABS cement bonds ABS to ABS extremely strongly.
• Drilling and tapping: ABS machines cleanly. Drill and tap at low speed to avoid heat build-up.
• Acetone smoothing: See the Acetone Vapour Smoothing section above.

Eolas Prints ABS Range

• ABS Filament — low shrinkage, reduced VOC emissions, ISO and REACH certified. Available in 1.75mm and 2.85mm in multiple colours.
• ABS Pellets — 100% virgin ABS for pellet-fed 3D printers. VICAT softening point 106°C. Ideal for industrial production volumes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ABS need an enclosure?

Yes. ABS shrinks as it cools, so it needs a stable enclosure at 45–60°C ambient to prevent warping and layer delamination. Even a draught can ruin a print.

What temperature should I print ABS at?

Print ABS at 230–250°C nozzle temperature with a bed of 90–110°C and minimal cooling (0–20%).

How do I stop ABS warping?

Use an enclosure, raise the bed to 100–110°C, add a 5–10mm brim, set cooling to zero, and eliminate draughts. For large parts, an ABS/acetone slurry on glass gives the strongest first-layer grip.

Can I smooth ABS to a glossy finish?

Yes. ABS responds to acetone vapour smoothing, which reflows the surface for a near-injection-moulded look. Always do this in a ventilated area away from ignition sources — acetone vapour is highly flammable.

Is it safe to print ABS indoors?

Only with good ventilation or a HEPA and activated-carbon filter. Eolas Prints ABS is a reduced-VOC formulation, but it still needs adequate airflow — do not print it in an unventilated living space.

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About the author
Sergio Peciña is a qualified Electrical & Electronics Engineer and Eolas Prints' Technical Design Engineer, with over 10 years of experience in 3D printing. He founded the maker spaces at the University of La Rioja and IDIVAL Santander. Every Eolas Prints filament is manufactured in-house in Cantabria, Spain, to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.

Shop Eolas Prints ABS filament — low-VOC, made in Spain. Need advice for a project or bulk order? Book a free consultation.