ABS

Choosing ABS Filament for Your Project

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a practical material for indoor housings, brackets, jigs and working prototypes. Choose it when the part's heat and mechanical requirements suit the specific ABS grade. Printed performance also depends on the design, layer orientation and print settings.

Choose a colour collection or specialty blend

Start with standard ABS Colours for general projects, LDO Colours for coordinating a printer build, or the Tool Collection for a workshop colour scheme. Carbon fibre and glass fibre ABS offer different material properties: compare the technical data on their product pages when choosing between them.

For projects with specified flammability requirements, review the Fire-Resistant ABS documentation and confirm the requirements for the finished part before selecting a material.

Prepare your printer for ABS

ABS benefits from a heated bed and an enclosure that maintains a stable temperature around the print. This helps reduce lifting, warping and cracking. Provide suitable ventilation while avoiding cold drafts across the part. Follow your printer manufacturer's enclosure and ventilation guidance.

Start with the temperature recommendations for your chosen filament and a suitable ABS profile for your printer. Follow the build plate manufacturer's instructions for surface preparation and any adhesion or release layer. Different ABS formulations can need different settings.

Check the nozzle and filament feeder

Carbon fibre and glass fibre ABS are abrasive and require a suitable wear-resistant nozzle. Check the product's minimum nozzle diameter and your printer's support for the material. For AMS, CFS or another automatic feeder, confirm compatibility with the exact blend and spool dimensions before loading it.

Select a spool that fits your setup

The 2 kg, 4.5 kg and 10 kg ABS listings offer more filament for larger jobs and repeated prints. Check the available colours and the spool's diameter, width and weight against your holder. Larger spools may need an external holder. Store unused filament sealed with desiccant between prints.

Will the part stay outdoors?

For prolonged sunlight and weather exposure, consider ASA filament, which generally offers better UV resistance than ABS. Compare the chosen material's specifications with the intended use.

Buy ABS filament from Spool3D in Canada

Browse the products above for current colours, sizes and availability. Order for shipping within Canada or local pickup in Calgary, Alberta. See our shipping and returns information for details.