3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

HIPS vs LW-PLA

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

HIPS guideLightweight / foaming PLA (LW-PLA) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore HIPS comparisonsMore LW-PLA comparisons
HIPS vs LW-PLA — documented properties and sources
PropertyHIPSABSLightweight / foaming PLA (LW-PLA)PLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.99/kg median; $27.99–$32.00/kg across 3 dated product listings$47.48/kg median; $37.49–$50.00/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryHigh-impact polystyrene — polystyrene toughened with a butadiene rubber phase[1][2]PLA with a blowing agent. Two distinct types: active-foaming grades that expand at the nozzle (Bambu Lab PLA Aero, colorFabb LW-PLA) and pre-foamed grades that do not (Polymaker PolyLite LW-PLA, PolyWood)[3][4][5][6]
Densityg/cm³1.04 (ISO 1183)[1]Filament 1.21 (Bambu Lab) and 1.24 (colorFabb); pre-foamed filament 0.8 (PolyWood, at 21.5 °C) and 0.9 (Polymaker LW-PLA); foamed prints reach 0.40[3][4][5][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 31[7][8]1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 45[9][4][10]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg28–32 across brands; YXPOLYER 28, Push Plastic 30, 3DXTech 32[8][7][11]37–50 across brands; Polymaker LW-PLA 37, Bambu Lab Aero 45, colorFabb 50, PolyWood 50[10][9][4]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[7][8]Available from several mainstream brands[9][10][4]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 and 3 kg spools[8][7]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.6, 0.75, 0.8 and 1 kg spools[10][4]
Typical applicationsBreak-away and d-limonene-soluble support for ABS and ASA, and a light model material in its own right[2]RC aircraft, drone airframes and large props where mass matters more than strength[3][4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C230–245 (Simplify3D)[12]210–260 (Bambu Lab, foaming); 195–260 (colorFabb, foaming); 190–210 (Polymaker, pre-foamed)[3][4][5]
Bed temperature°C100–115 (Simplify3D)[12]35–45 (Bambu Lab); 50–60 (colorFabb); 25–60 (Polymaker)[3][4][5]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[13]Open frame is fine[5]
Part cooling fanPart cooling fan not required[12]Fan on[3][5]
Bed surface & adhesion aidGlue stick, glass plate, Kapton tape or PET sheets[12]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented3.2–8 at the 40–100 mm/s colorFabb specifies and the 50–100 mm/s Polymaker specifies, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[5][4][14]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield[13]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[12]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — HIPS oozes less than ABS[12][15]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[13]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; flow has to be cut to match the expansion[4]
Extruder requirementNot documentedBambu Lab PLA Aero is 0.4 mm nozzle only on the store and wiki, while its own TDS lists 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8[3][16]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[13]Brass fine indefinitely[5][6]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[13]Non-abrasive[5][6]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — no special hot-end required, no drybox and no hardened nozzle, and 3DXTech states drying is not needed[12][17][2]High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles; Bambu Lab warns the foamed extrudate swells and easily clogs the nozzle, and rules out 0.2 mm nozzles[16]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[12]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[12]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low (0.1–0.3 %) — Simplify3D lists water resistance as a headline property[12]Moderate — 0.45 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.40 % equilibrium (Polymaker)[3][5]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.45 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.40 equilibrium (Polymaker)[3][5]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented55 °C for 6–8 h[3][5]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18]Not documented
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[18]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures for this grade; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[18]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; less critical than for the polyamides[18]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa40 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]24 ± 2 (Bambu Lab) and 24.4 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; colorFabb falls from 43.1 unfoamed to 10.8 at 45 % flow[3][5][4]
Young's modulusMPa1350 (printed XY, ISO 527) — the lowest modulus of the styrenics here[1]1350 ± 250 (Bambu Lab) and 1689 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; colorFabb falls from 3334 unfoamed to 864 foamed[3][5][4]
Elongation at break%18 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]2.6 ± 0.7 (Bambu Lab) and 8.8 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527[3][5]
Flexural strengthMPa70 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]45 ± 4 (Bambu Lab) and 50.2 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 178[3][5]
Flexural modulusMPa1600 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]1690 ± 120 (Bambu Lab) and 1959 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 178[3][5]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented8.2 ± 0.7 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 3.67 foamed[3][4]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 28.8 printed XY (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 5.46 foamed[3][4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented18 ± 3 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z collapses to 17 against 45 in XY[3]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2.6 % in XY and 1.2 % in Z[3]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no printed-HIPS creep test found; Tg of 100 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1][12]Poor — no foamed-grade creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, and the foam carries less solid[19][20][21]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Moderate[1]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and elongation at break falls to 2.6 % in XY and 1.2 % in Z[22][3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented75 by tensile, 38 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented53 (Bambu Lab) and 54 (Polymaker), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[3][5]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented48 (Bambu Lab) and 50 (Polymaker), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[3][5]
Glass transition (Tg)°C100 (DSC)[1]55 (Bambu Lab) and 59 (Polymaker), DSC[3][5]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point[1]150 peak melt (Polymaker, DSC); Vicat 60 °C[5]
Continuous service temperature°CBounded by a glass transition of 100 °C; no loaded-bar service figure is published for HIPS[1]Not documented
Annealing responseNot documentedBambu Lab advises against annealing thin, low-infill Aero prints[3]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement — polystyrene yellows and chalks under UV[23]Degrades within weeks outdoors[24]
Chemical resistanceDissolves completely in d-limonene — the basis of its use as a soluble support[2]Not documented
Food contactNot food safe[23]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[23]Not documented
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[23]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — insulating (ASTM D257)[1]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[25]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[25]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the range measured across ABS and the one HIPS filament tested[25]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈4 × 10⁹ median for the HIPS filament tested, an order of magnitude below ABS but forty times PLA[25]Not documented
Hazardous species emittedStyrene was the only dominant VOC identified for the HIPS filament tested[25]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[25]None needed in a normal room[25]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands and paints readily, like ABS[23]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with d-limonene, and with acetone via its polystyrene backbone[12][2]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingd-limonene attacks the surface; acetone smoothing is far less effective than on ABS[2][12]Not documented
Support material pairingUsed as the support material itself — dissolves in d-limonene, or breaks away from ABS and ASA[2]Not documented
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedFoamed surfaces are rough and matte; dimensional accuracy depends on holding the foaming temperature steady[3][4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble ind-limonene, 12–24 h submerged with occasional agitation; acetone also dissolves it, and xylene does so at 23 °C.[26][27][28]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix; the foamed wall wicks solvent right through instead of only skinning over.[29]
Softened or crazed byLimonene also disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades, so an ABS model can flake apart in the same bath.[30]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[29][31]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentLimonene welds and lightly etches it; acetone welds through the polystyrene backbone but smooths less well than ABS.[26][30]Chloroform vapour reaches only the resin skin; no workshop-safe smoothing agent exists for PLA of any kind.[32][31]

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. 3DXMAX HIPS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. 3DXMAX HIPS — product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V4.0 — PLA Aero Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. LW-PLA technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  5. PolyLite LW-PLA Technical Data Sheet (V7.0) Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  6. PolyWood Technical Data Sheet Version 4.0 (Nov 2018) Polymaker (copy hosted by 3Dee) · 2018-11 · tds
  7. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. PLA Aero — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. YXPOLYER HIPS product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  13. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  15. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  20. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  21. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  22. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  23. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  25. 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
  26. D-Limonene — FDM post-processing guide Filament2Print · 2026-08 · review
  27. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  28. US 5,278,282 Polymer recycling by selective dissolution — xylene dissolution temperatures Nauman & Lynch, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · 1994-01 · paper
  29. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  30. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  32. 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