PLA VS ABS, What is difference use in 3D Printing?
- Written By: Gavin Leo
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If you’re interested in 3D printing, you might have heard about PLA and ABS. These two thermoplastics are the most commonly used materials in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing and have different properties, which make them more or less suitable for various applications.
The main differences between PLA vs ABS lie in their strength, heat resistance, and ease of use.
Because of these differences, 3D printing with PLA is recommended for beginners. ABS is a more professional material that is harder to work with but offers better results in terms of strength and thermal resistance.
However, this doesn’t mean PLA has no advantages! In this article, I’m going to walk you through everything. We’ll look at what PLA is and its good sides. Then we’ll do the same for ABS plastic.
What is 3D Printing with PLA?
PLA stands for polylactic acid and is one of the most widely available 3D printing materials on the market.
The reason it is so popular stems from the fact that it is a renewable resource that can be obtained through fermentation and plant starch.
So, the environmental impact of PLA has been compared to that of traditional plastics (which are usually derived from oil) and is greatly diminished. A nice by-product of this property is that PLA is biodegradable; all you need is an industrial composting facility.
PLA is made up of lactic acid monomers linked together in a long chain.
Advantages of PLA Compared to ABS
Here are some advantages that PLA has over ABS:
Easy to print
One of the major advantages of PLA is that it is very easy to print. Its melting temperature is quite low, ranging from 190°C to 220°C.
This ensures that it does not require a high-temperature printing bed or any special enclosure to achieve successful prints consistently. In addition to this, layer adhesion is usually very good, which results in fewer failed prints.
Biodegradable and eco-friendly
PLA filament is made from bioplastics, or plastics derived from biological sources such as plants. This means that, unlike ABS, it is completely biodegradable and compostable in an industrial composting plant.
While this doesn’t mean you can just throw it away in your garden compost heap, this property alone makes PLA a more environmentally friendly choice than most plastics, which are derived from oil.
Produces smooth surface finishes
PLA tends to have a glossy, smooth finish. When printed correctly, these filaments can produce very detailed models with a great surface finish. Prints made with PLA look really nice right off the printer, and this material works really well with models that need a good aesthetic finish.
Low warping and minimal odor
Since PLA has a lower glass transition temperature than ABS, there is less shrinkage during the cooling process, which can result in warping at the corners.
Additionally, this results in fewer odorous particles during printing; there may be a faint scent reminiscent of waffles or something sweet.
Affordable option
PLA is usually cheaper than ABS, which can help if budget is a concern– whether you’re printing lots because you’re still experimenting with 3D printing, or if you need a lot of it for a project that requires size.
What is 3D Printing with ABS Plastic?
ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a tough and solid engineering plastic that is used in a variety of applications worldwide.
ABS is the same plastic used to make Lego bricks, household appliances, and many other familiar items that require both strength and durability.
When 3D printing, using ABS filament provides benefits in terms of impact resistance as well as heat resistance.
However, it also has some drawbacks: Because ABS comes from non-renewable sources (oil products), its melting temperature is higher than PLA’s. To minimize warping during printing, you need an enclosure— and a heated bed.
Advantages of ABS Materials
There are some benefits of ABS plastic in 3D printing. Let’s have a look at some of them:
High strength and durability
ABS is very strong. It has excellent impact resistance and is less likely to break under stress than PLA. Instead, ABS will often deform and bend before breaking. This makes it an excellent choice for items that will be subject to stress, such as car parts, protective enclosures, and similar items.
Better heat resistance than PLA
While PLA will soften in a hot car, ABS remains rigid. The heat deflection temperature of ABS is around 100°C. This makes ABS a good choice for electric vehicle and motor parts that are exposed to heat.
Suitable for functional and mechanical parts
With its good strength and heat resistance, ABS is a popular choice for functional and mechanical parts. Gears, brackets, and even the frames of drones are commonly printed in ABS.
Can be post-processed
ABS has a surface energy that allows paints and glues to stick to it. ABS can be sanded, drilled, and tapped. Like machined parts, ABS can be subject to acetone vapor to create a glossy surface finish.
Key Difference PLA Vs ABS in 3D Printing
That table gives you the technical data. But what do these key differences mean for your actual 3D printing experience? Let’s break down the practical side. The manufacturing process for each print is very different.
| Property | PLA (Polylactic Acid) | ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) |
| Tensile Strength | ~ 60 MPa | ~ 40 MPa |
| Impact Resistance | Low | High |
| Flexural Modulus | ~ 3.5 GPa | ~ 2.1 GPa |
| Density | ~ 1.24 g/cm³ | ~ 1.04 g/cm³ |
| Glass Transition Temp | ~ 60°C (140°F) | ~ 105°C (221°F) |
| Melting Point | ~ 175°C (347°F) | No true melting point (softens) |
| Heat Deflection Temp | ~ 55°C (131°F) | ~ 98°C (208°F) |
| Biodegradability | Yes (Industrial Composting) | No |
| UV Resistance | Poor (degrades in UV light) | Fair (can yellow from UV radiation) |
| Chemical Resistance | Poor | Good (resists many acids and bases) |
| Printing Temp | 190-220°C | 220-250°C |
| Heated Bed | Not required (but helpful) | Required (90-110°C) |
| Warping | Very Low | High (requires enclosure) |
| Odor | Minimal, slightly sweet | Strong, unpleasant plastic smell |
| Source | Plant-based (corn, sugarcane) | Petroleum-based |
Part Accuracy
One area where PLA excels is “out of the box” accuracy. Because PLA has minimal warping tendencies, it retains the sharpest corners and most precise dimensions of any common 3D printing material right off the press.
For ABS, dimensional accuracy can be difficult to attain without a properly calibrated machine. Warping can wreak havoc on ABS prints and throw off dimensions.
Production Speed
Printing speed for both materials is roughly the same. However, the setup time differs greatly between the two. With PLA, you can almost immediately start printing, whereas ABS requires a heated chamber and bed. So while the actual print time may be the same, you’ll be waiting a bit longer for your ABS job to finish.
Cost
PLA tends to be the cheaper option, making it a great choice for those looking to save a buck on material costs. ABS can be had for cheap as well, but the cost is generally higher than PLA. Heat-resistant and carbon fiber ABS filaments can get expensive, but the same can be said for specialty PLA filaments.
Surface Finish
PLA typically has a smoother surface finish than ABS, with a glossy sheen. One advantage ABS has over PLA is its ability to be vapor smoothed using acetone.
Heat Resistance
This is where ABS really separates itself from PLA. While PLA will begin to deform at around 60°C, ABS doesn’t start to soften until it reaches 100°C.
Conclusion
So, which one should you choose? It’s all about what you’re making. Here’s the simple rule:
If you need a print that will be exposed to heat or plan on making parts for your car, ABS is likely the better choice.
That said, few 3D printed parts require resistance to this level of heat. For everyday printing and modeling purposes, PLA is usually more than sufficient.
FAQs
Q. What are the basic mechanical properties of PLA vs ABS?
A: PLA is stiff and strong but brittle, while ABS offers better toughness and impact resistance. Overall, ABS outperforms PLA in basic mechanical properties, especially for parts requiring durability and flexibility under stress.
Q. Which material is better for automotive components and ABS parts?
A: ABS is preferred for automotive components because it withstands higher temperatures and impacts. PLA lacks the heat and impact resistance needed for functional ABS parts used in car interiors and under-hood applications.
Q. Is heat resistant PLA suitable for injection molding applications?
A: Standard PLA softens easily, but specialized heat resistant PLA grades can handle moderate injection molding. However, ABS remains the better choice for complex molded parts requiring stability and higher processing temperatures.
Q. How do the physical and mechanical properties affect PLA surface quality?
A: PLA’s physical and mechanical properties give it a smoother, glossier surface finish than ABS. This makes it ideal for aesthetic models or prototypes where the PLA surface appearance matters more than functional strength.