【3D Printing】ABS vs. 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 a temperature-controlled print environment, as suggested by some manufacturers, to ensure optimal results.
Despite their similarities, ABS and PC possess distinct characteristics. ABS is valued for its impact resistance and affordability, while PC boasts superior strength and transparency.
In this article, we will delve into how ABS and PC filaments compare, 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 derived from manufacturers' datasheets, will clarify the characteristics and ideal applications of each filament.
Strength
Impact strength reflects a material's ability to absorb energy from sudden forces, helping to prevent cracks or fractures in applications subjected to impact.
Although PC is renowned for its impact resistance, UltiMaker and Polymaker datasheets show ABS has a slight advantage in impact strength.
(For 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 material series with higher impact resistance.
However, if we compare PolyLite PC with PolyLite ABS, the traditional hierarchy still holds.
This quality makes ABS suitable for applications requiring resistance to sudden impacts, though PC remains a good choice.
We will also examine hygroscopy, addressing moisture absorption and its effects.
These insights, mostly derived from manufacturers' datasheets, will clarify the characteristics and ideal applications of each filament.
Strength
Impact strength reflects a material's ability to absorb energy from sudden forces, helping to prevent cracks or fractures in applications subjected to impact.
Although PC is renowned for its impact resistance, UltiMaker and Polymaker datasheets show ABS has a slight advantage in impact strength.
(For 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 material series with higher impact resistance.
However, if we compare PolyLite PC with PolyLite ABS, the traditional hierarchy still holds.
This quality makes ABS suitable for applications requiring resistance to sudden impacts, though PC remains a good choice.
Temperature Resistance
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) is a critical metric that measures a material's resistance to deformation under a specified load at elevated temperatures.
Data for UltiMaker S-series materials indicates that ABS has a heat resistance of 87 °C, suitable for moderate temperature applications.
PC outperforms ABS in this aspect, with a heat resistance of 111 °C, making it ideal for parts that must withstand higher thermal stresses, such as those in production lines or heated environments.
The Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) denotes the point at which a material transitions from a rigid, glassy state to a softer, more flexible state.
The aforementioned datasheets indicate that 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 its surroundings, which can significantly impact the quality and performance of 3D prints.
Moisture absorption affects extrusion consistency, layer adhesion, and overall surface finish, making proper storage crucial for hygroscopic filaments.
ABS has moderate hygroscopy, so 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 is essential to store it 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 layer adhesion.
Moisture absorption affects extrusion consistency, layer adhesion, and overall surface finish, making proper storage crucial for hygroscopic filaments.
ABS has moderate hygroscopy, so 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 is essential to store it 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 layer 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 blends with carbon fiber etc. require higher print 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 the ABS or PC adhere to it.
Other surfaces, such as PEI textured sheets, can hold prints in place if properly cleaned and if the chamber is heated to optimal temperatures.
Enclosure
An enclosure is highly beneficial when printing with ABS as it helps prevent warping 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 electronics 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 can prevent issues like delamination or cracking.
However, if using higher chamber temperatures (e.g., 50-60 °C), a part cooling fan (at about 40% speed) can help with parts like bridges, which might otherwise sag or have printing defects.
Post-processing
ABS can be smoothed with acetone, producing a glossy surface and enhancing part strength.
For PC, while acetone is compatible with PC, smoothing parts made with this material is less common.
Sanding and polishing are common methods for post-processing PC prints, and many suggest annealing for optimal mechanical results. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations.
Filaments
Many manufacturers offer ABS and PC. We’ve selected some popular brands, with three options for each material, to cater to various 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 excellent performance in strength and durability, making it an ideal choice for functional prototypes, mechanical parts, and general applications.
PolyLite ABS is known for its good layer and bed 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 layer 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 offers higher impact strength.
Bambu Lab PC
Bambu Lab's PC offers excellent strength and high heat resistance, making it perfect for demanding applications such as functional parts and engineering prototypes.
Its user-friendly formulation ensures easy printing and minimizes warping, delivering reliable and precise results.
Bambu Lab states it is ideal 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 creating durable, heat-resistant parts, making it an ideal choice for demanding engineering applications.
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