PLA filamentand ABS filamentIt is a very popular material used in 3D printing. Comparing the two materials will help you choose the best one for your 3D printing.
PLA and ABS are classified as plastics. ThermoplasticsThis means that it softens when heated and hardens again when the plastic cools.
Comparison table of PLA and ABS plastic properties
Properties
PLA
ABS
Tensile Strength
37 MPa
27 MPa
Flexural Modulus
4 GPa
2.1 - 7.6 GPa
Density
1.3 g/cm3
1.0 - 1.4 g/cm3
Melting Point
173 ℃
N/A (amorphous)
Biodegradable
Yes
No
Common Products
Cup, plastic bag, knife sheath
LEGO, electrical appliances
Comparison table of conditions for printing PLA and ABS
Specifics
PLA
ABS
Print Bed
unnecessary
necessary
Print Bed Temperature
20°C to 60°C
80°C to 110°C
Printing Temperature
180°C to 230°C
210°C to 250°C
Fumes
Little/no
Severe/Bad
What are PLA and ABS?
PLA, or "Polylactic acid" or Polylactide, is a bioplastic that can decompose under the right conditions. PLA plastic is a renewable raw material that can be produced naturally from things like corn, starch, or sugarcane. PLA is a very popular bioplastic and can be used in a variety of applications, from plastic cups to medical implants.
ABS, the full name of which is "Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene", is a thermoplastic that is very popular for injection molding. It is commonly used in the production of LEGO, electronic parts, and automotive parts.
Accuracy and completeness of the workpiece
Generally, the tolerance and accuracy of 3D printing is largely dependent on the quality of the printer and the complexity of the design. However, PLA and ABS materials can be used to accurately print 3D parts with a recommended print head of less than 0.8mm or a maximum of 1.2mm (the lower the print head size, the better). For joints or parts that need to be clamped/locked, a tolerance of 0.5mm should be used, and a wall thickness of 1-2mm should be used to ensure sufficient wall strength.
Since PLA uses a lower printing temperature than ABS, cooling PLA doesn't cause the part to warp as easily as ABS (it's easier to print), and it can print corners and details better.
Strength
The Tensile Strengths of PLA and ABS are similar, making PLA and ABS popular for printing various prototypes. However, ABS has better toughness, bending resistance, and elongation than PLA. ABS is popular for printing to be used right away, while PLA is more focused on prototypes to see the components and functionality.
Texture
Both PLA and ABS have a visible printing layer, with ABS having a matte surface while PLA is semi-transparent, giving it a glossy finish.
After the ABS printing is complete, the surface can be polished with Acetone to make the surface smooth and easy to polish.
Leftmost 100 micron ABS+Acetone, center 100 micron plain ABS, and rightmost 200 micron ABS.
Heat resistance
For high temperature applications, ABS has a glass transition at 105°C, which is more suitable than PLA, which has a glass transition at 60°C. PLA can lose its shape and begin to shrink and deform if exposed to temperatures of 60°C.
Biodegradation
PLA is stable in general atmospheric conditions and can be biodegraded within 50 days in suitable industrial environments and 48 months in water. ABS is not biodegradable but can be recycled. PLA is popularly used to produce food-related materials because it is safer.
Conclusion
Both PLA and ABS are popularly used in 3D printing and are relatively inexpensive. ABS has better mechanical properties than PLA but is more difficult to print than PLA.
PLA is suitable for printing complex and detailed work.
ABS is suitable for printing work that requires strength and toughness, but it will have more shrinkage.
