3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS vs PETG

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

ABS guidePETG guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS comparisonsMore PETG comparisons
ABS vs PETG — documented properties and sources
PropertyABSABSPETGPETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$19.99/kg median; $11.99–$45.00/kg across 16 dated product listings$19.99/kg median; $8.99–$69.99/kg across 21 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene — a styrenic terpolymer with a butadiene rubber phase[1][2]Polyethylene terephthalate glycol copolymer — PET with a glycol comonomer that suppresses crystallisation[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.04 (Polymaker PolyLite ABS and ABS Pro) to 1.06 (ABS Max), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.05[5][1][6][7]1.24–1.30 (ISO 1183)[3][4][8][9]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 20[10][11][12][13][14]1 kg spools cluster near 20[15][11][16]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg12–45 across brands; IEMAI 12, SUNLU 12 at a 3 kg minimum, ELEGOO 15 in a 5 kg pack, Polymaker 19, YXPOLYER 20, Bambu Lab 20, Push Plastic 25, 3DXTech 45[10][11][17][18][12][13][14][19]12–70 across brands; IEMAI 12, ELEGOO 14, CHCKX 14, Bambu Lab 18–20, Hatchbox 26, Prusament 38, Prusament PETG V0 70[15][11][20][16][21][22]
Market availability1–5Ubiquitous, every brand and retailer[10][11][17][18]Ubiquitous, every brand and retailer[15][11][18][16]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1, 5 and 10 kg spools[17][18]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75, 0.8 and 1 kg spools plus spool-less refills[11][16]
Typical applicationsEnclosures, automotive interior parts and tooling that must hold shape above PLA's 55 °C ceiling[1][23]Functional parts, enclosures and outdoor fittings that need more toughness and heat tolerance than PLA[3][4]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.02 (Prusament)[3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Bambu Lab); 245–265 (Polymaker PolyLite)[5][1]230–260 across brands; Prusament 250 ± 10, Polymaker 240–260[3][4][9]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Bambu Lab); 90–100 (Polymaker)[5][1]60–90; Prusament 80 ± 10, Polymaker 60–70[3][9]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended — Polymaker calls a chamber needed at ambient temperature, Bambu Lab requires an enclosed printer and rules out its P1P and A-series machines[1][24]Open frame is fine[9]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[5]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–80 % (Bambu Lab); off (Polymaker PolyLite)[5][1]Around 50 %; Polymaker specifies 20–60 %, less than PLA to protect layer bonding[3][9]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue — Bambu Lab lists glue as the way to improve adhesion and prevent warping[24]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets. On smooth PEI a glue stick is used as a release agent, not an adhesive — PETG bonds to bare PEI hard enough to tear the sheet[3][9]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s10–16 (PrusaSlicer guidance for ABS/ASA)[25]8–15 (PrusaSlicer guidance); My Tech Fun ran Bambu Lab PETG Basic at 13 mm³/s[25][26]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts; Bambu Lab attributes surface cracking to cooling stress exceeding interlayer adhesion[24]Slight — corner lift on large flat parts[3][9]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[24]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[3]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight[1]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[3][9]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[24][1]Easy — minor profile tuning[9]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[24]Brass fine indefinitely[25]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[24]Non-abrasive[9]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — no special hot-end required and clogging is not among the listed drawbacks; Prusa lists no drybox and no hardened nozzle[27][28]Low — no special hot-end required and clogging is not among the listed drawbacks; Prusa lists no drybox and no hardened nozzle[29][28]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[27]Slightly sensitive[29]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[27]No special hot-end required[29]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — 0.65 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Polymaker measures 0.51 % maximum uptake for ABS Pro[5][6]Moderate (0.3–0.8 %) — Bambu Lab reports 0.40 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH; Prusa measures only 0.07 % in 24 h and 0.10 % in 7 days at the drier 22 % RH[3][30]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.65 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.51 maximum (Polymaker ABS Pro)[5][6]0.10 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa Polymers); 0.40 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3][30]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 70 °C for 6 h (Polymaker)[5][1]60–65 °C for 6–8 h[9][30]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[31]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[3]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures; the loss appears as poor layer adhesion and surface defects rather than a stated strength delta[31]Polymaker groups PETG with nylon, PVA and TPU as highly hygroscopic and shows a before-and-after-drying comparison; the loss appears as poor layer adhesion and weak, brittle layers rather than a published dry-versus-conditioned figure[31]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and advises periodic drying in humid climates[31]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[31][32]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa33 ± 3 (Bambu Lab) to 35 (Polymaker ABS Pro and Max) printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 42 at break[5][6][7][33]38–51 (printed XY, ISO 527); Prusament 47 ± 2 at yield; 62 on My Tech Fun 4×4 mm bars[3][4][8][34]
Young's modulusMPa2200 ± 190 (Bambu Lab) to 2330 (Polymaker ABS Pro) printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 1950[5][6][33]1500–2311 (printed XY, ISO 527)[3][4][8][9]
Elongation at break%6.7 (ABS Max) to 10.5 (Bambu Lab) at break, printed XY, ISO 527[5][6][7]5.2–9.3 at break (printed XY, ISO 527); Prusament 5.1 at yield[4][8][9][3]
Flexural strengthMPa60 (ABS Pro) to 63 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178; Bambu Lab 62 ± 4; 3DXTech quotes 76[5][6][7][33]58–80 (printed XY, ISO 178); Prusament 66 ± 2[3][4][8][9]
Flexural modulusMPa1880 ± 110 (Bambu Lab) to 2500 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[5][7]1068–2277 (printed XY, ISO 178)[3][4][8][9]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²10.5 (ABS Max) and 14.5 (ABS Pro) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; PolyLite ABS 18.0 ± 0.9 and Bambu Lab 21.5 ± 2.2[1][6][7][5]2.6 (PolyLite) to 11.6 (PolyMax) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 6 ± 1[4][8][3]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 39.3 ± 3.6 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179); notched 21.5 ± 2.2[5]Charpy unnotched does not break on Prusa's 4 J pendulum (ISO 179-1); Izod 3.37 kJ/m² on My Tech Fun printed bars[3][34]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21.9 (ABS Pro) to 29.7 (PolyLite) printed Z, ISO 527; Bambu Lab 28 ± 2[5][1][6]18 ± 4 (Prusa interlayer adhesion test); 42.8 printed Z for PolyLite PETG; 33 on My Tech Fun bars[3][4][34]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[5][1]Moderate[3][4]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented74 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method); measured on printed bars at 68.2 for Extrudr PETG, 72 for Fiberlogy PETG and 72.8 for Prusament PETG[3][34][35][36]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no printed-ABS creep test found; Tg of 101–126 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening, unlike PLA[1][6][7]Below average — a 12 mm bar sagged to 18.2 mm (Fiberlogy) and 19.4 mm (Bambu Lab Basic) over 5 days at 1.25 kg[34][26]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Moderate — no printed-ABS S-N curve found; 10.5 % elongation and 21.5 kJ/m² notched Charpy give far more cyclic tolerance than PLA[5][37]Moderate — 79 000–193 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength, about three times printed PLA (R = 0.2, 7 Hz)[37]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[5]Slightly flexible in thin sections[3]
Z strength as % of XY%85 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile); 63 for Polymaker ABS Pro[5][6]84 (PolyLite, printed Z against XY tensile)[4]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C87 (Bambu Lab) to 118 (Polymaker ABS Max), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa; PolyLite ABS 100[5][1][7]68 (Prusament) to 78 (PolyLite), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[3][4][9]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C84 (Bambu Lab) to 113 (Polymaker ABS Max), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; PolyLite ABS 98[5][1][7]65 (Polymaker) to 75 (PolyLite), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; Prusament 68[3][4][9]
Glass transition (Tg)°C101 (PolyLite) to 126 (ABS Max), DSC; 105 quoted by 3DXTech[1][7][33]71–81 (DSC)[4][8][9]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 104 (PolyLite) to 127 (ABS Max), ISO 306[1][7]Amorphous — no melting point; Vicat 75–84 (ISO 306)[4][8][9]
Continuous service temperature°C101 measured on a loaded glass-filled ABS bar (My Tech Fun); unfilled ABS is bounded by its 84–98 °C heat deflection[38][5][1]61–66 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature across six grades from four brands; Prusa publishes 68 for Prusament PETG[34][35][36][26][39]
Annealing responseDecomposition above 380 °C (PolyLite ABS, TGA)[1]Not documented
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K86 ± 3 at 0° and 89 ± 3 at 90° raster (printed, fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C); 82 for a neat large-format bead at 30 °C[40][41]65 at 30 °C (neat PETG, large-format printed bead, TMA)[41]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard ABS, though V-0 grades exist[42][5]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard PETG, though flame-retardant V0 grades exist[43][32]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement[23]Moderate — a season or two[3]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; poor against strong acids; dissolved by acetone[1]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure — Polymaker names outdoor use as a result[32]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption[5]Good — minor absorption[3]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[23]PET is the polymer of drinks bottles, but printed layer grooves harbour bacteria and no filament here carries a food-contact certification[32]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[23]Not biodegradable[32]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable as resin code 9, but not accepted in household plastic collection[23]PET is widely recycled as bottle stock, but printed PETG waste is not accepted in household collection[32]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — insulating (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[33]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[44][24]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[44]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[44]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[44]≈5 × 10⁹ median for the PET-based T-Glase filament in the same chamber study, against ≈1 × 10⁸ for PLA[44]
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[44][24]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[44][24]Open a window / occasional ventilation[44]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler; the usual preparation before painting[23]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[29]
Painting & finishingNot documentedPaint adheres poorly without abrasion and a primer[3]
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[1]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[29]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works — ABS dissolves in acetone[1]No practical vapour smoothing[3]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[45][24]Prints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[29]
Dimensional accuracy & detailWarping and cooling-stress cracking are the accuracy limits, not shrinkage of the melt[24]Stringing and blobbing are the usual accuracy limits, not shrinkage[3][9]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[46][1]No common workshop solvent; 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it inside a week and dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the surface.[47][48]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[46][49]Acetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[47]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[48]Dichloromethane brushed on is the only agent that smooths PETG — a controlled carcinogen, not workshop stock.[48]

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. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  2. Safety Data Sheet SDS20250724B00 — Bambu ABS Bambu Lab · 2025-07 · msds
  3. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  4. PolyLite PETG Technical Data Sheet Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  7. Polymaker ABS Max Technical Data Sheet V1.1 (2026-06-01) Polymaker · 2026-06 · tds
  8. PolyMax PETG Technical Data Sheet Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · tds
  9. Polymaker PETG Technical Data Sheet Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · tds
  10. ABS — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. SUNLU ABS 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. IEMAI ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. PETG Basic — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. YXPOLYER ABS Squirrel Grey product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. Black PETG Filament 1.75 mm 1 kg — product data Hatchbox · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. IEMAI PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  22. CHCKX PETG 3D Printer Filament 1.75 mm 1 kg, Black CHCKX (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  23. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  26. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  27. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  28. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  29. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PETG HF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  31. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  32. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  33. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  34. PCTG vs PETG comparison — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  35. Extrudr PETG vs PCTG vs XPETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  36. Prusament PETG-CF vs PETG V0 vs PETG — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  37. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  38. ABS-GF vs PET-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  39. Prusament PETG — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  40. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  41. Effects of Fiber Orientation on the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Fiber-Filled Polymer Systems in Large Format Polymer Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing Materials 15(8):2764 · 2022-04 · paper
  42. Firewire Flame Retardant ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  43. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  44. 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
  45. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  46. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  47. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  48. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  49. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc