3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS vs PPA

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

ABS guidePPA (polyphthalamide) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS comparisonsMore PPA comparisons
ABS vs PPA — documented properties and sources
PropertyABSABSPPA (polyphthalamide)PA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$19.99/kg median; $11.99–$45.00/kg across 16 dated product listings$45.49/kg median; $45.49–$45.49/kg across 1 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene — a styrenic terpolymer with a butadiene rubber phase[1][2]Polyphthalamide — a semi-aromatic polyamide in which aromatic diacid units replace part of the aliphatic backbone; Raise3D and Bambu Lab both label it high-temperature nylon[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]1.21 (ISO 1183, Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA)[8]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 20[9][10][11][12][13]One 1 kg listing on the market, at 45[14]
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[9][10][15][16][11][12][13][17]45 for the only unfilled PPA filament found — Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA at 1 kg; every other PPA in retail is carbon- or glass-filled[14]
Market availability1–5Ubiquitous, every brand and retailer[9][10][15][16]Special order, 1–2 makers worldwide — Siraya Tech is the only brand found selling unfilled PPA filament[14]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1, 5 and 10 kg spools[15][16]1.75 mm, 1 kg[14]
Typical applicationsEnclosures, automotive interior parts and tooling that must hold shape above PLA's 55 °C ceiling[1][18]Gears, bearings and tooling that must hold load above the reach of PA6 or PA12, and parts exposed to fuels and industrial chemicals[8]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Bambu Lab); 245–265 (Polymaker PolyLite)[5][1]280–300 (Siraya Tech)[8]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Bambu Lab); 90–100 (Polymaker)[5][1]70–80 (Siraya Tech)[8]
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][19]Enclosure recommended — Siraya Tech advises an enclosure to hold temperature and limit warping on larger prints[8]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[5]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–80 % (Bambu Lab); off (Polymaker PolyLite)[5][1]20–60 % (Siraya Tech)[8]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue — Bambu Lab lists glue as the way to improve adhesion and prevent warping[19]PEI sheet with a glue stick, or a PVP glue coating[8]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s10–16 (PrusaSlicer guidance for ABS/ASA)[20]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts; Bambu Lab attributes surface cracking to cooling stress exceeding interlayer adhesion[19]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[19]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight[1]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[19][1]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; needs a 300 °C-class hot end and a dry spool[8]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[19]Brass fine indefinitely — Siraya Tech states a hardened steel nozzle is not needed for the unfilled grade[8]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[19]Non-abrasive when unfilled[8]
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[21][22]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Siraya Tech tells users to dry only when moisture symptoms appear, rather than before every print[8]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[21]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[21]High-quality metal nozzle, 0.4–1.0 mm; hardened steel not required (Siraya Tech)[8]
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 (0.8–2 %) — Siraya Tech publishes 2.59 % by ISO 62 immersion for the unfilled grade; on the equilibrium basis Bambu Lab uses, its 15 % carbon-filled PPA reaches 1.30 % against 2.35 % for the same maker's PA6-CF[8][4][23]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.65 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.51 maximum (Polymaker ABS Pro)[5][6]2.59 by ISO 62 water immersion (Siraya Tech, unfilled) — an immersion figure, not the 25 °C / 55 % RH equilibrium basis the filled grades are quoted on, so the two are not directly comparable[8]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 70 °C for 6 h (Polymaker)[5][1]80–100 °C for 4–6 h (Siraya Tech)[8]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[24]Oozing, bubbles and a rough surface finish (Siraya Tech)[8]
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[24]Siraya Tech publishes dry against saturated for the same grade: tensile 70 → 60 MPa, flexural 114 → 87 MPa, HDT at 1.8 MPa 73.5 → 48.5 °C, while Charpy rises 10 → 14.5 kJ/m²[8][14]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and advises periodic drying in humid climates[24]Dry box below 15 % RH (Siraya Tech)[8]
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][25]72 at break (printed, ASTM D638, Siraya Tech); the product page quotes 70 dry and 60 saturated[8][14]
Young's modulusMPa2200 ± 190 (Bambu Lab) to 2330 (Polymaker ABS Pro) printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 1950[5][6][25]3600 (printed, ASTM D638, Siraya Tech)[8]
Elongation at break%6.7 (ABS Max) to 10.5 (Bambu Lab) at break, printed XY, ISO 527[5][6][7]10.5 at break (printed, ASTM D638, Siraya Tech)[8]
Flexural strengthMPa60 (ABS Pro) to 63 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178; Bambu Lab 62 ± 4; 3DXTech quotes 76[5][6][7][25]115 (printed, ISO 178, Siraya Tech); 114 dry against 87 saturated on the product page[8][14]
Flexural modulusMPa1880 ± 110 (Bambu Lab) to 2500 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[5][7]3350 (printed, ISO 178, Siraya Tech)[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]10.1 Charpy (printed, ISO 179, Siraya Tech); the data sheet does not state whether the specimen was notched[8]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 39.3 ± 3.6 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179); notched 21.5 ± 2.2[5]Not documented
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21.9 (ABS Pro) to 29.7 (PolyLite) printed Z, ISO 527; Bambu Lab 28 ± 2[5][1][6]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[5][1]Moderate — 10.5 % elongation at break puts it between PA6 and the fibre-filled grades[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]Good — Raise3D cites high creep resistance as a reason to choose the PPA matrix over other nylons[3]
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][26]Not documented
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[5]Rigid — 3.6 GPa tensile modulus[8]
Z strength as % of XY%85 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile); 63 for Polymaker ABS Pro[5][6]Not documented
Wear resistance & frictionNot documentedSiraya Tech describes the unfilled grade as low-friction and self-lubricating, aimed at gears and bearings[8][14]
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]81 dry and 61 saturated (printed, ISO 75 Method B at 0.45 MPa, Siraya Tech)[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]73.5 dry and 48.5 saturated (printed, ISO 75 Method A at 1.8 MPa, Siraya Tech) — unfilled PPA deflects near its Tg; the 190–227 °C figures quoted for PPA are carbon-filled grades[8][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°C101 (PolyLite) to 126 (ABS Max), DSC; 105 quoted by 3DXTech[1][7][25]80 (ASTM D3418, Siraya Tech)[8]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 104 (PolyLite) to 127 (ABS Max), ISO 306[1][7]231 melting point (ASTM D3418) and 230 Vicat (ISO 306), Siraya Tech[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[27][5][1]Not documented
Annealing responseDecomposition above 380 °C (PolyLite ABS, TGA)[1]Siraya Tech's product page offers annealing for strength while its own data sheet says annealing is not recommended because the print can warp; on its 15 % carbon-filled PPA, annealing lifts HDT at 1.8 MPa from 82.5 to 119 °C[8][14][28]
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[29][30]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard ABS, though V-0 grades exist[31][5]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement[18]Not documented
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; poor against strong acids; dissolved by acetone[1]Withstands fuels, oils and industrial chemicals; Bambu Lab rates semi-aromatic nylon better than general nylon against weak acids, weak alkalis and most organic solvents[8][4]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption[5]Absorbs water, properties shift — a saturated specimen loses about 15 % of its tensile strength and 25 °C of heat-deflection temperature[8][14]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[18]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[18]Not documented
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable as resin code 9, but not accepted in household plastic collection[18]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — insulating (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[25]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[32][19]Not documented
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[32]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[32]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[32][19]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[32][19]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler; the usual preparation before painting[18]Not documented
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[33][19]Compatible with quick-release support materials (Siraya Tech)[8]
Dimensional accuracy & detailWarping and cooling-stress cracking are the accuracy limits, not shrinkage of the melt[19]Not documented
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[34][1]Dissolved at 23 °C by formic acid, phenol, m-cresol, 96 % sulphuric acid or hexafluoroisopropanol — all laboratory reagents.[35]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[34][36]Mineral acids, oxidants, halogens and zinc chloride solutions attack the amide bond; ordinary solvents do not.[35]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[37]None — nylon's only solvents are formic acid, phenol and HFIP, all of which degrade the part they wet.[35]

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. Raise3D Industrial PPA CF Technical Data Sheet V2.0 Raise3D · 2022-04 · tds
  4. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PPA-CF Bambu Lab · 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. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  9. ABS — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. SUNLU ABS 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. IEMAI ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. YXPOLYER ABS Squirrel Grey product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  21. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PA6-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  24. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  26. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  27. ABS-GF vs PET-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  28. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA-CF Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  29. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  30. 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
  31. Firewire Flame Retardant ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  32. 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
  33. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  34. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  35. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  36. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  37. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc