3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-ESD vs ABS-FR

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

ESD-safe ABS guideFlame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-ESD comparisonsMore ABS-FR comparisons
ABS-ESD vs ABS-FR — documented properties and sources
PropertyESD-safe ABSABSFlame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS)ABS
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$102.50/kg median; $47.00–$166.67/kg across 4 dated product listings$52.00/kg median; $44.99–$120.00/kg across 5 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS compounded with a conductive carbon filler for static-dissipative parts[1]ABS with a flame-retardant package; 3DXTech rates the base resin UL 94 V-0[2]
Densityg/cm³1.09 (ISO 1183)[1]1.18 (ISO 1183) — above unfilled ABS at 1.05 because of the retardant loading[2][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 47–167; the middle of the market is about 103[4][5][6]1 kg-equivalent spools span 45–120; the middle of the market is about 52[4][7][8][9]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg47–167 across brands; IEMAI 47, YXPOLYER 65, 3DXTech 140 at 750 g pricing; the EMI-shielding ABS grade runs 167[4][5][6]45–120 across brands; SUNLU 45, YXPOLYER 50, Coex 3D 52, 3DXTech 107 at 750 g pricing; the FR PC/ABS grade runs 120[4][7][8][9]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[4]Niche, a handful of specialist brands[4]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[4]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[4]
Typical applicationsElectronics handling fixtures, trays and jigs used around static-sensitive parts[1]Electrical enclosures and transport interiors that must meet a flammability rating[2]
Printing Parameters
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[10]Enclosure recommended[10]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[10][11]Clean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[10][11]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[10]High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[10]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[10]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[10]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[12]Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[12]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[10]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[10]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely[10]
Abrasiveness1–5Moderately abrasive — conductive carbon filler[1]Non-abrasive[2]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for its ESD-ABS, only an 80 °C pre-dry[13]Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for its FR-ABS, only an 80 °C pre-dry[14]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[11]Slightly sensitive[11]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[11]No special hot-end required[11]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — the ABS matrix takes up 0.51–0.65 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH and 3DXTech specifies a 80 °C, 4 h pre-dry[3][15][13]Moderate — the ABS matrix takes up 0.51–0.65 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH and 3DXTech specifies a 80 °C, 4 h pre-dry[3][15][14]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[16]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[16]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures; absorbed water flashes to steam in the hotend and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[16]Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures; absorbed water flashes to steam in the hotend and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[16]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[16]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[16]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa58 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — the conductive filler raises strength above the unfilled grade's 42[1][17]45 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[2]
Young's modulusMPa2130 (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]1990 (printed XY, ISO 527)[2]
Elongation at break%4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — well below the 10 % of unfilled 3DXTech ABS[2][17]
Flexural strengthMPa80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[2]
Flexural modulusMPa2275 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]2250 (printed XY, ISO 178)[2]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Moderate — elongation at break falls to 4 % from 10 % for the unfilled grade[2][17]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1]Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[2][17]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break 4 %, well below unfilled ABS[1][17]Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 4 % against 10 % for unfilled 3DXTech ABS[2][17]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Thermal Properties
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]105 (DSC)[2]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedUL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm, rated on the base resin rather than the printed part[2]
Environment & Chemical
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[18]Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[18]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[12]Not food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[12]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[12]Not biodegradable[12]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[12]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[12]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance 10⁷–10⁹ ohm/sq, the static-dissipative band (ASTM D257), against above 10¹³ for unfilled ABS[1][17]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[19][10]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[19][10]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[19]12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[19]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[19]2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[19]
Hazardous species emittedStyrene dominates. Bambu Lab states ABS and ASA release harmful gases such as styrene at printing temperature, which can be toxic and cause dizziness or nausea[19][10]Styrene dominates. Bambu Lab states ABS and ASA release harmful gases such as styrene at printing temperature, which can be toxic and cause dizziness or nausea[19][10]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[19][10]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[19][10]
Dust & fibre handling hazardConductive carbon filler is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[12]Sands well and takes filler before painting[12]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[12]Paints readily after light abrasion[12]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[20][10]HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[20][10]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[21][18]Acetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[21][18]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[21][22]Petrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[21][22]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[23]Acetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[23]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. 3DXSTAT ESD-ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Firewire Flame Retardant ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. IEMAI ESD-ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. YXPOLYER ABS ESD product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. SUNLU ABS-FR (ABS Flame Retardant) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. YXPOLYER ABS Flame-Retardant product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Flame Retardant Black ABS Coex 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  11. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  12. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. 3DXSTAT ESD-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  14. FIREWIRE FR-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  16. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  18. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  19. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  20. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  22. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc