3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-FR vs ABS+

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

Flame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS) guideABS+ / Tough ABS guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-FR comparisonsMore ABS+ comparisons
ABS-FR vs ABS+ — documented properties and sources
PropertyFlame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS)ABSABS+ / Tough ABSABS
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.00/kg median; $44.99–$120.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$26.49/kg median; $15.99–$29.99/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS with a flame-retardant package; 3DXTech rates the base resin UL 94 V-0[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/cm³1.18 (ISO 1183) — above unfilled ABS at 1.05 because of the retardant loading[1][5]1.04 (ABS Pro) and 1.06 (ABS Max), ISO 1183[2][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 45–120; the middle of the market is about 52[6][7][8][9]1 kg spools cluster near 27[10]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg45–120 across brands; SUNLU 45, YXPOLYER 50, Coex 3D 52, 3DXTech 107 at 750 g pricing; the FR PC/ABS grade runs 120[6][7][8][9]16–30 across brands; SUNLU E-ABS 16, Polymaker ABS Pro 25, YXPOLYER ABS Enhanced 28, Polymaker ABS Max 30[10][11][12]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[6]Available from several mainstream brands[10]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[6]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 kg spools[10]
Typical applicationsElectrical enclosures and transport interiors that must meet a flammability rating[1]Large enclosure and automotive parts where plain ABS warps or softens too early[2][3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented270–290 (ABS Pro); 270–300 (ABS Max) — 25–35 °C above plain ABS[2][3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented120 (ABS Max)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[13]Enclosure required (passive)[2][3][13]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[13][14]Clean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[13][14]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documentedUp 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][15]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[13]High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[13]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[13]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[13]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[16]Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[16]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[13]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; the hotter nozzle rules out PTFE-lined hotends[2][3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[13]Brass fine indefinitely[13]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Non-abrasive[13]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for its FR-ABS, only an 80 °C pre-dry[17]Low — unfilled ABS compound; no special hot-end required and clogging is not among the listed drawbacks[14][18]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[14]Slightly sensitive[14]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[14]No special hot-end required[14]
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[5][2][17]Moderate — 0.51 % maximum water absorption (ABS Pro)[2]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.51 maximum water absorption (Polymaker ABS Pro)[2]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented70 °C for 6 h (ABS Max)[3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[19]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[19]
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[19]Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures[19]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[19]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[19]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa45 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]34.9 (ABS Pro) and 35.7 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 527[2][3]
Young's modulusMPa1990 (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) — well below the 10 % of unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][20]6.7 (ABS Max) and 7.3 (ABS Pro) at break, printed XY, ISO 527[2][3]
Flexural strengthMPa80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]60.1 (ABS Pro) and 63.3 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[2][3]
Flexural modulusMPa2250 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]2330 (ABS Pro) and 2500 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[2][3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented10.5 (ABS Max) and 14.5 (ABS Pro) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[2][3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented21.9 (ABS Pro) and 25.4 (ABS Max) printed Z, ISO 527[2][3]
Brittleness1–5Moderate — elongation at break falls to 4 % from 10 % for the unfilled grade[1][20]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[2][3]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1][20]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 resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 4 % against 10 % for unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][20]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][5]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented63 (ABS Pro) and 71 (ABS Max), printed[2][3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented106.4 (ABS Pro) and 118.1 (ABS Max), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][3]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented101.4 (ABS Pro) and 113.1 (ABS Max), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]114.9 (ABS Pro) and 126.3 (ABS Max), DSC[2][3]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documentedAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 116.1 (ABS Pro) and 127.4 (ABS Max), ISO 306[2][3]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented86–89 for printed unfilled ABS (fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C); no grade-specific measurement published[21]
Flammability / UL 94UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm, rated on the base resin rather than the printed part[1]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedMonths outdoors before embrittlement[16]
Chemical resistanceGood 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 contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[16]Not food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[16]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[16]Not biodegradable[16]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[16]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[16]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[22][13]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[22][13]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[22]12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[22]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[22]2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[22]
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[22][13]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[22][13]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[22][13]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[22][13]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[16]Sands well and takes filler before painting[16]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[16]Paints readily after light abrasion[16]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedAcetone vapour smoothing works[4]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[23][13]HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[23][13]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[24][4]Acetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[24][4]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[24][25]Petrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[24][25]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[26]Acetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[26]

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. Firewire Flame Retardant ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  3. Polymaker ABS Max Technical Data Sheet V1.1 (2026-06-01) Polymaker · 2026-06 · tds
  4. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  6. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 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. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. SUNLU E-ABS (Easy ABS) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. YXPOLYER ABS Enhanced product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  14. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  16. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. FIREWIRE FR-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  21. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  22. 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
  23. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  25. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc