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3D Printed Models vs. Cast Models: How Strong Is ABS Plastic?

Dwight Mitchell • 10 June 2023

3D Printed Models vs. Cast Models:


 How Strong Is 3D Printed ABS Plastic?


ABS  Plastic

3D printing has quickly become one of the biggest industries in the world. As it becomes more and more popular, there will be a lot of people who want to use 3D printed models instead of cast models. There are many benefits to 3D printing, including being able to print higher quality models than with cast models, but how strong is ABS plastic?


ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and it is a thermoplastic polymer. This type of plastic is strong and durable when heated at a high temperature. However, ABS is less durable when it’s cold which means that if you put your model outside on an ice cold day then ABS could break if it gets too cold. That being said, ABS is still a great material for 3D printers as it can be recycled and reused better than most other plastics.



3D Printed Models vs. Cast Models



3D printed models are becoming more and more popular, but what about the material that 3D printers use? There are many benefits to using a 3D printer with ABS plastic, such as being able to print higher quality models than with cast models. But how strong is ABS plastic?

ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and it is a thermoplastic polymer.  This type of plastic is strong and durable when heated at a high temperature. However, ABS is less durable when it’s cold which means that if you put your model outside on an ice cold day then ABS could break if it gets too cold. That being said, ABS is still a great material for 3D printers as it can be recycled and reused better than most other plastics.




How Strong Is 3D Printed ABS Plastic?


3D printing is a popular industry, but what are the benefits of 3D printed ABS plastic? 3D printed ABS plastic is still very durable. It’s just not as tough as some other plastics. For example, ABS is strong and durable when heated to a high temperature; however, it doesn’t have the durability when it’s cold outside.

Another way that ABS is different than other plastics is that it can be recycled and reused more often than most other plastics.  Not only does this work to save the environment and help limit waste, but it also saves you money in the long run.

ABS will last longer and be stronger if you use lower temperatures for your print jobs. This will allow your colors to show up better on your models without fading or bubbling from heat sources like printers or ovens. That's all thanks to the tensile strength of about 4,700 PSI. Given the lightweight construction yet impressive durability, ABS is one of the best 3D printing materials out there.



The Material


ABS is a great material for 3D printers because it can be recycled and reused. This means that you save money in the long run by not having to buy new plastic every time you want to make a new model. And because ABS is strong when heated, you won’t have to worry about your models breaking if you put them outside on an ice cold day. It also means that the ABS will retain its shape better than other plastics like PLA.



Why is it strong?


ABS is a type of thermoplastic polymer that can withstand high temperatures without breaking. This means ABS is often used in 3D printers because it is strong and durable. ABS prints better than other types of plastic as well. When you take an ABS print out of the printer, it will be rigid and sturdy which makes it perfect for prototypes and models. Other types of plastics are more flexible when they come out of the 3D printer, making them less ideal for 3D printing.



Conclusion


The strength of ABS varies depending on how it is made. Objects that are printed from the bottom up are stronger than objects created from the top down. Objects that are printed with a thicker base have more stability and strength than objects made with a thinner base.

The bottom line is, if you need a strong, durable 3D printed object, you should use ABS filament. And if you need an object that is a bit more delicate, then use PLA filament.


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