How ABS Differs From PLA In 3D Printing Technology

When you buy a 3D printer, the 3D printing material to be bought with it would generally depend upon your needs. However, what if two kinds of 3D printing materials bear almost the same properties?

In this, the choice between the two could be difficult to make. And similar is what the people face when choosing between PLA and ABS, since the best 3D printers require the best 3D printing materials too.

What are ABS and PLA?

Both these are the most common printing materials for desktop 3D printers. As both of these are thermoplastics, they bear almost the same properties such as they become soft when heated and sturdy solid when cooled.

• ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and this thermoplastic finds immense application in the injection molding industry. It is also used in electronic housing and vehicle bumper parts.
• PLA is an acronym for Polylactic Acid and is a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from corn starch or sugarcane. It also finds immense application in medical sectors etc.

The Points of Differences:

• Printing Accuracy: Both ABS and PLA could print accurate dimensions, but PLA works on a low printing temperature due to which it tends to warp less when cooled. Also, it could print sharp features better than ABS.
• Strength: When comparing tensile strengths, both PLA and ABS are almost same and applicable for rapid prototyping. However, ABS has better ductility than PLA and it also possesses better flexural strength, making it useful for end-use applications.
• Print Finish: Whether you choose ABS or PLA, both these show print layers on the final product. However, while PLA has a slightly transparent and glossier finish, ABS would offer the impression of a matte finish.
• Temperature Resistance: When compared, ABS is a far-better suitable element for high-temperature applications than PLA which loses its structural integrity at a rapid rate and begins to deform at high temperature.
• Eco-Friendly Nature: Both the ABS and PLA are eco-friendly. While PLA is generally a biodegradable kind of thermoplastic, ABS could be recycled to form new products. PLA also find applications to produce food-related items.
• Odor: You could recognize both these elements by the smell they produce while printing. PLA offers a sweet smell of hot cooking oil, while ABS smells similar to a hot, burning plastic and therefore requires working in a well-ventilated room.

These are some of the most common differences between ABS and PLA, which are commonly used as desktop 3D printing materials. You could assess these properties and choose the one that you find better.

And just as the best 3D printing kits are those that best fit your needs, similar could be the definition of the best 3D printing material too.

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