3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS vs PLA Wood

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

ABS guideWood-filled PLA guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS comparisonsMore PLA Wood comparisons
ABS vs PLA Wood — documented properties and sources
PropertyABSABSWood-filled PLAPLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$19.99/kg median; $11.99–$45.00/kg across 16 dated product listings$34.49/kg median; $13.99–$76.40/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene — a styrenic terpolymer with a butadiene rubber phase[1][2]PLA filled with wood powder — 10–18 wt% (Bambu Lab SDS); colorFabb woodFill uses a PLA/PHA base with recycled wood fibre[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]1.15 (colorFabb) to 1.23 (Fiberlogy), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.21[8][4][9]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 20[10][11][12][13][14]1 kg spools cluster near 25; counting the 0.5 kg specialty spools the middle of the market is about 34[15][16][17]
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][18][16][12][13][14][19]14–76 across brands; SUNLU 14, ELEGOO 19, Bambu Lab 25, Prusament 44, Filament PM 49 on 0.5 kg spools, colorFabb 76[16][15][20][21][22][17]
Market availability1–5Ubiquitous, every brand and retailer[10][11][18][16]Stocked by most mainstream brands[15][16][21][9]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1, 5 and 10 kg spools[18][16]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.6, 0.85 and 1 kg spools[21][9][15]
Typical applicationsEnclosures, automotive interior parts and tooling that must hold shape above PLA's 55 °C ceiling[1][23]Decorative and model-making prints that are sanded and stained like timber[8][4]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.03 (Bambu Lab)[8]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Bambu Lab); 245–265 (Polymaker PolyLite)[5][1]190–240 (Bambu Lab); colorFabb advises 195–220 for its PLA/PHA base[8][4]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Bambu Lab); 90–100 (Polymaker)[5][1]35–45 (Bambu Lab); 50–70 (Fiberlogy)[8][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[8]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[5]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–80 % (Bambu Lab); off (Polymaker PolyLite)[5][1]Fan on[8]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue — Bambu Lab lists glue as the way to improve adhesion and prevent warping[24]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s10–16 (PrusaSlicer guidance for ABS/ASA)[25]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts; Bambu Lab attributes surface cracking to cooling stress exceeding interlayer adhesion[24]None[8]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[24]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight[1]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[24][1]Easy — minor profile tuning; pre-drying is required and the wood content chars if it sits hot[26][8]
Extruder requirementNot documentedNozzles below 0.4 mm are not compatible; Bambu Lab does not recommend the AMS lite[26]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[24]Brass acceptable; hardened steel for volume work — Bambu Lab's PLA compatibility table lists no hardened-nozzle requirement, but its nozzle guide names wood among the abrasive filaments hardened steel exists for[26][27]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[24]Moderately abrasive — wood fill[26]
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[28][29]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; wood particles char and block small nozzles[26]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[28]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[28]Not documented
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]High — 1.25 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH, the highest in the PLA family[8]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.65 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.51 maximum (Polymaker ABS Pro)[5][6]1.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[8]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 70 °C for 6 h (Polymaker)[5][1]55 °C for 8 h in a forced-air dryer; Bambu Lab lists pre-drying as required[8][26]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[30]Bambu Lab flags pre-drying and ventilation as specific requirements for this grade[26]
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[30]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. At 1.25 % saturated uptake the practical loss shows as poor layer adhesion, rough surface and weak layers[30][8]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and advises periodic drying in humid climates[30]Not documented
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][31]26 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 28.4 (colorFabb) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy quotes 35 at yield[8][4][9]
Young's modulusMPa2200 ± 190 (Bambu Lab) to 2330 (Polymaker ABS Pro) printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 1950[5][6][31]2360 ± 190 (Bambu Lab) and 2479 (colorFabb) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy 2950[8][4][9]
Elongation at break%6.7 (ABS Max) to 10.5 (Bambu Lab) at break, printed XY, ISO 527[5][6][7]4.5 (colorFabb) to 15.3 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy 6.5[8][4][9]
Flexural strengthMPa60 (ABS Pro) to 63 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178; Bambu Lab 62 ± 4; 3DXTech quotes 76[5][6][7][31]55 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[8]
Flexural modulusMPa1880 ± 110 (Bambu Lab) to 2500 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[5][7]2780 ± 120 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[8]
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]3.81 (colorFabb) and 6.3 ± 2.2 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[8][4]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 39.3 ± 3.6 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179); notched 21.5 ± 2.2[5]Charpy unnotched 12.28 (colorFabb) and 15.7 (Bambu Lab), printed, ISO 179[8][4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21.9 (ABS Pro) to 29.7 (PolyLite) printed Z, ISO 527; Bambu Lab 28 ± 2[5][1][6]15 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 28 against 55 in XY[8]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[5][1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[8]
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]Poor — no wood-filled creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[32][33][34]
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][35]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and the wood filler cuts elongation and the parts snap without warning[35][8]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[5]Rigid[8]
Z strength as % of XY%85 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile); 63 for Polymaker ABS Pro[5][6]58 by tensile, 51 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[8]
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]60 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[8]
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]57 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[8]
Glass transition (Tg)°C101 (PolyLite) to 126 (ABS Max), DSC; 105 quoted by 3DXTech[1][7][31]54 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Fiberlogy quotes 55–60[8][9]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 104 (PolyLite) to 127 (ABS Max), ISO 306[1][7]156 peak melt (DSC)[8]
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[36][5][1]Not documented
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[37][38]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard ABS, though V-0 grades exist[39][5]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement[23]Degrades within weeks outdoors[40]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; poor against strong acids; dissolved by acetone[1]Not documented
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption[5]Not documented
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[23]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[23]Not documented
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable as resin code 9, but not accepted in household plastic collection[23]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — insulating (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[31]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[41][24]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[41]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[41]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[41]Not documented
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[41][24]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[41][24]None needed in a normal room; Bambu Lab specifically advises ventilation for this grade[26]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler; the usual preparation before painting[23]Sands and stains like timber — the usual reason for choosing it[4]
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[1]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works — ABS dissolves in acetone[1]Not documented
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[42][24]Support for PLA (Bambu Lab)[8]
Dimensional accuracy & detailWarping and cooling-stress cracking are the accuracy limits, not shrinkage of the melt[24]Wood grain hides layer lines; colour darkens with nozzle temperature[8][4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[43][1]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[44]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[43][45]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[44][46]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[46]Chloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[47][46]

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. Safety Data Sheet SDS20250723SA16 — Bambu PLA Wood Bambu Lab · 2025-07 · msds
  4. woodFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PLA Wood Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  9. FiberWood technical data sheet Fiberlogy · 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. PLA Wood — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. PLA+ WOODJet - Natur (1,75 mm; 0,5 kg) Filament PM shop · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. YXPOLYER ABS Squirrel Grey product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. woodFill — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  22. SUNLU Optimized Wood PLA 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 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. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Nozzles — material and compatibility Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  28. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  29. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  31. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  32. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  33. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  34. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  35. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  36. ABS-GF vs PET-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  37. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  38. 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
  39. Firewire Flame Retardant ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  40. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  41. 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
  42. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  43. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  44. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  45. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  46. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  47. Effect of vapour smoothing in trichloromethane on 3D printed PLA — surface, mechanical and chemical structure Pitale, Keche & Chopra, Engineering Research Express 6(4) 045579 · 2024-12 · paper