[3D Printing Materials] An Alternative to ABS? HIPS!

ABS? PLA? Which one do you want to choose today? Don't worry, of course it's HIPS! Today, we're introducing the 3D printing material HIPS, which stands for High Impact Polystyrene. This is an acid-soluble 3D printing material, usually used as a support material for ABS. With a dual-nozzle 3D printer, you can print the ABS main body with one nozzle and the HIPS support with the other, then immerse the finished product in acid to dissolve the HIPS. But today, HIPS will be the star! We'll be using it to print the main body of 3D models. HIPS actually has similar mechanical strength to ABS, but it's slightly softer, warps less, and has a fainter odor when printing, making it a great alternative to ABS!
(The following samples were printed using an Ultimaker2 3D printer!)


 

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First, let's take a look at how it looks right after printing! Doesn't it look very smooth?



In fact, not only the appearance but also the touch is very delicate!

Although it was printed with an FDM machine, the layer lines of the HIPS finished product are much finer than other materials!

Are you tempted? Come and give it a try!