Filament comparison
ABS-ESD vs ABS+
Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.
2 selected · all documented properties
| Property | ESD-safe ABSABS | ABS+ / Tough ABSABS |
|---|---|---|
| Market snapshot | ||
| Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots | $102.50/kg median; $47.00–$166.67/kg across 4 dated product listings | $26.49/kg median; $15.99–$29.99/kg across 4 dated product listings |
| Identity & Market | ||
| Base polymer / chemistry | ABS compounded with a conductive carbon filler for static-dissipative parts[1] | ABS reformulated for lower warping and a higher glass transition; Polymaker's ABS Pro and ABS Max reach Tg 114.9 and 126.3 °C against 101 °C for PolyLite ABS[2][3][4] |
| Densityg/cm³ | 1.09 (ISO 1183)[1] | 1.04 (ABS Pro) and 1.06 (ABS Max), ISO 1183[2][3] |
| Typical priceUSD/kg | 1 kg-equivalent spools span 47–167; the middle of the market is about 103[5][6][7] | 1 kg spools cluster near 27[8] |
| Price range across brandsUSD/kg | 47–167 across brands; IEMAI 47, YXPOLYER 65, 3DXTech 140 at 750 g pricing; the EMI-shielding ABS grade runs 167[5][6][7] | 16–30 across brands; SUNLU E-ABS 16, Polymaker ABS Pro 25, YXPOLYER ABS Enhanced 28, Polymaker ABS Max 30[8][9][10] |
| Market availability1–5 | Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5] | Available from several mainstream brands[8] |
| Spool sizes & diameters | 1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[5] | 1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 kg spools[8] |
| Typical applications | Electronics handling fixtures, trays and jigs used around static-sensitive parts[1] | Large enclosure and automotive parts where plain ABS warps or softens too early[2][3] |
| Printing Parameters | ||
| Nozzle temperature°C | Not documented | 270–290 (ABS Pro); 270–300 (ABS Max) — 25–35 °C above plain ABS[2][3] |
| Bed temperature°C | Not documented | 120 (ABS Max)[3] |
| Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5 | Enclosure recommended[11] | Enclosure required (passive)[2][3][11] |
| Bed surface & adhesion aid | Clean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[11][12] | Clean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[11][12] |
| Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s | Not documented | Up to 250 mm/s (ABS Pro) and 200 mm/s (ABS Max), equivalent to 20 and 16 on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[2][3][13] |
| Warping tendency1–5 | High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[11] | High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[11] |
| Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5 | Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[11] | Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[11] |
| Stringing / oozing tendency1–5 | Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[14] | Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[14] |
| Overall printing difficulty1–5 | Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[11] | Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; the hotter nozzle rules out PTFE-lined hotends[2][3] |
| Hardware Wear & Reliability | ||
| Nozzle hardness required1–4 | Hardened steel required[1] | Brass fine indefinitely[11] |
| Abrasiveness1–5 | Moderately abrasive — conductive carbon filler[1] | Non-abrasive[11] |
| Nozzle clog risk1–5 | Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for its ESD-ABS, only an 80 °C pre-dry[15] | Low — unfilled ABS compound; no special hot-end required and clogging is not among the listed drawbacks[12][16] |
| Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5 | Slightly sensitive[12] | Slightly sensitive[12] |
| Hotend requirement | No special hot-end required[12] | No special hot-end required[12] |
| Moisture Behaviour | ||
| Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5 | 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[17][2][15] | Moderate — 0.51 % maximum water absorption (ABS Pro)[2] |
| Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH% | Not documented | 0.51 maximum water absorption (Polymaker ABS Pro)[2] |
| Drying temperature & time | Not documented | 70 °C for 6 h (ABS Max)[3] |
| Symptoms when wet | Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18] | Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18] |
| Effect of moisture on strength | 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[18] | Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures[18] |
| Storage requirement | Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[18] | Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[18] |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
| Tensile strength (XY)MPa | 58 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — the conductive filler raises strength above the unfilled grade's 42[1][19] | 34.9 (ABS Pro) and 35.7 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 527[2][3] |
| Young's modulusMPa | 2130 (printed XY, ISO 527)[1] | 2330 (ABS Pro) and 2320 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 527[2][3] |
| Elongation at break% | 4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1] | 6.7 (ABS Max) and 7.3 (ABS Pro) at break, printed XY, ISO 527[2][3] |
| Flexural strengthMPa | 80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1] | 60.1 (ABS Pro) and 63.3 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[2][3] |
| Flexural modulusMPa | 2275 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1] | 2330 (ABS Pro) and 2500 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[2][3] |
| Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m² | Not documented | 10.5 (ABS Max) and 14.5 (ABS Pro) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[2][3] |
| Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa | Not documented | 21.9 (ABS Pro) and 25.4 (ABS Max) printed Z, ISO 527[2][3] |
| Brittleness1–5 | Moderate[1] | Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[2][3] |
| Creep resistance / sustained load1–5 | Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1] | Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 115 °C (ABS Pro) and 126 °C (ABS Max) keeps room-temperature service far below softening[2][3] |
| Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5 | Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break 4 %, well below unfilled ABS[1][19] | Moderate — no S-N curve found; 6.7–7.3 % elongation and 10.5–14.5 kJ/m² notched Charpy, below unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[2][3][17] |
| Elasticity / flexibility1–5 | Rigid[1] | Rigid[2] |
| Z strength as % of XY% | Not documented | 63 (ABS Pro) and 71 (ABS Max), printed[2][3] |
| Thermal Properties | ||
| HDT at 0.45 MPa°C | Not documented | 106.4 (ABS Pro) and 118.1 (ABS Max), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][3] |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa°C | Not documented | 101.4 (ABS Pro) and 113.1 (ABS Max), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][3] |
| Glass transition (Tg)°C | 105 (DSC)[1] | 114.9 (ABS Pro) and 126.3 (ABS Max), DSC[2][3] |
| Melting point / Vicat°C | Not documented | Amorphous — no melting point; Vicat 116.1 (ABS Pro) and 127.4 (ABS Max), ISO 306[2][3] |
| Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K | Not documented | 86–89 for printed unfilled ABS (fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C); no grade-specific measurement published[20] |
| Environment & Chemical | ||
| UV resistance1–5 | Not documented | Months outdoors before embrittlement[14] |
| Chemical resistance | Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[4] | Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[4] |
| Food contact | Not food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[14] | Not food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[14] |
| Biodegradability / compostability | Not biodegradable[14] | Not biodegradable[14] |
| Recyclability | Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[14] | Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[14] |
| Electrical & ESD properties | Surface resistance 10⁷–10⁹ ohm/sq, the static-dissipative band (ASTM D257), against above 10¹³ for unfilled ABS[1][19] | Not documented |
| Health & Safety | ||
| Fume toxicity1–5 | High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[21][11] | High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[21][11] |
| VOC emission rateµg/min | 12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[21] | 12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[21] |
| Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min | 2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[21] | 2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[21] |
| Hazardous species emitted | 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[21][11] | 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[21][11] |
| Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5 | Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[21][11] | Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[21][11] |
| Dust & fibre handling hazard | Conductive carbon filler is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1] | Not documented |
| Post-Processing | ||
| Sanding & machining | Sands well and takes filler before painting[14] | Sands well and takes filler before painting[14] |
| Painting & finishing | Paints readily after light abrasion[14] | Paints readily after light abrasion[14] |
| Vapour / chemical smoothing | Not documented | Acetone vapour smoothing works[4] |
| Support material pairing | HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[22][11] | HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[22][11] |
| Solvents & Solubility | ||
| Soluble in | Acetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[23][4] | Acetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[23][4] |
| Softened or crazed by | Petrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[23][24] | Petrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[23][24] |
| Solvent welding & smoothing agent | Acetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[25] | Acetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[25] |
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
- 3DXSTAT ESD-ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
- Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
- Polymaker ABS Max Technical Data Sheet V1.1 (2026-06-01) Polymaker · 2026-06 · tds
- PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
- 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
- IEMAI ESD-ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
- YXPOLYER ABS ESD product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
- Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
- SUNLU E-ABS (Easy ABS) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
- YXPOLYER ABS Enhanced product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
- ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
- ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
- Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
- ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
- 3DXSTAT ESD-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
- Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
- Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
- Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
- 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
- Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
- 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
- HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
- Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
- HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
- Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc