In the constantly evolving world of 3D printing, the choice of the right material plays a crucial role in the success of any project. One of the most widely used and versatile materials in 3D printing is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, better known as ABS. And in this article, we will delve into the depths of Smartfil ABS material, manufactured by Smart Materials 3D, to understand its characteristics, applications, and advantages in the fascinating world of additive manufacturing.
What is SMARTFIL® ABS?
Smartfil® ABS is a 3D printing filament manufactured by Smart Materials 3D.
This material is primarily composed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a thermoplastic known for its strength, durability, and versatility. ABS is widely used in a variety of industries, from automotive to electronics, due to its superior mechanical properties and its ability to withstand adverse environments.
Characteristics of SMARTFIL® ABS
- Strength and Durability: One of the main characteristics of Smartfil ABS is its exceptional strength and durability. This material is capable of withstanding significant mechanical loads, making it ideal for applications that require robust and sturdy components.
- Good Toughness: ABS is known for its good toughness, meaning it can bend or flex without easily breaking. This property makes it ideal for applications where some flexibility is required, such as in the manufacturing of engineering parts and functional prototypes.
- Dimensional Stability: Smartfil ABS exhibits excellent dimensional stability, meaning printed parts retain their dimensions and original shape even under variable temperature and humidity conditions. This feature is crucial to ensuring the accuracy and integrity of printed components.
- Ease of Post-Processing: A standout feature of Smartfil ABS is its ability to be post-processed with acetone. This acetone post-processing allows for smoothing the surface of printed parts, creating more uniform and professional finishes. Additionally, acetone post-processing can help fuse individual layers, enhancing the strength and structural integrity of parts.
- High Temperature Resistance: ABS is capable of resisting relatively high temperatures without losing its mechanical properties. This makes it suitable for applications where printed parts may be exposed to elevated temperatures, such as engine components or high-temperature environments.
Considerations Before Using SMARTFIL® ABS
Although ABS is a popular and versatile material for 3D printing, it also presents certain challenges during the printing process. Here are some common difficulties associated with printing ABS:
Warping (Thermal Deformation): ABS tends to shrink when cooled, which can lead to deformations or warping in printed parts. This is especially problematic in large, flat printing areas. Uneven shrinkage can result in raised or distorted corners, affecting the quality and accuracy of the final piece. This can be addressed by using a printer with a closed environment, printing bed temperature above 90ºC, using adhesive for the bed, and ultimately using a skirt or brim on the parts.
Tendency to Cracking and Shrinking: ABS is prone to cracking during the printing process, especially if the printing bed temperature is too low or if there are temperature fluctuations in the printing environment. These cracks can weaken the structural integrity of the printed piece. Additionally, ABS may slightly shrink during cooling, which can cause sizing problems in printed parts. To address this, using a closed environment printer, a printing bed temperature above 90ºC, and not opening the printer during the printing process are essential to avoid such deformation.
Adherence to Printing Surface: Ensuring good adherence of ABS to the printing surface generally a heated bed can be a challenge. If the printing bed is not properly leveled or if the temperature is not right, ABS may have trouble adhering properly, resulting in warping or even the piece detaching from the surface during printing. This can be addressed by using a printer with a closed environment, a printing bed at a temperature above 90ºC, using adhesive for the bed, and ultimately using a skirt or brim on the parts.
Odor and Emissions: During the printing process, ABS can release unpleasant fumes and odors due to plastic fusion. These vapors are not healthy to inhale, so it is recommended to print in a well-ventilated area or use a printer with an appropriate air filtration system.
Requires a Printer with a Heated Bed: ABS requires a heated bed to print correctly. This can be a limitation for some 3D printers that are not equipped with a heated bed. Additionally, maintaining a constant temperature on the printing bed is crucial to prevent warping and ensure good material adherence.
Despite these difficulties, with the proper printer setup and printing process, as well as mitigation techniques such as the use of bed adhesives, proper heating, and management of the printing environment temperature, excellent results can be achieved with ABS in 3D printing.
Applications of SMARTFIL® ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a widely used material in a variety of sectors due to its mechanical properties, durability, and versatility. Here is an explanation of ABS uses by sectors:
Automotive:
- Interior Components: ABS is used in the manufacturing of automotive interior components such as dashboards, central consoles, door panels, and glove compartments due to its strength, durability, and ease of molding.
- Exterior Components: In the automotive industry, ABS is used in the manufacturing of bumpers, side mirror housings, trims, and protective covers due to its impact and weather resistance.
Electronics:
- Device Housings: ABS is used in the manufacturing of housings and covers for electronic devices such as printers, televisions, sound equipment, and small appliances due to its ability to be precisely molded and its impact resistance.
- Electrical Components: In some cases, ABS modified with conductive additives is used in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic components to provide electrical conductivity properties.
Toy Industry:
Toys and Action Figures: ABS is a popular material in the manufacturing of toys and action figures due to its strength, durability, and ability to be molded into a wide variety of shapes and colors.
Furniture Industry:
Moldings and Decorations: ABS is used in the manufacturing of decorative moldings and furniture accessories due to its ability to be molded into complex shapes and its impact resistance.
Medical Industry:
Medical Equipment: ABS is used in the manufacturing of medical equipment components such as medical device housings, surgical instruments, and medical furniture parts due to its strength, durability, and ease of cleaning and sterilization.
Construction Industry:
Cladding Materials: ABS is used in the manufacturing of cladding materials for interiors, such as decorative panels, ceiling moldings, and baseboards, due to its resistance to moisture and its ability to mimic the appearance of other materials such as wood.
These are just some examples of ABS uses in different sectors. Its versatility and durability make it a popular material in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.
Presentations:
Filament:
- Size: 750g and 1000g
- Diameter: 1.75 mm/2.85 mm
- Colors: True Black, Natural, Ruby, Ivory White, Orinoco, Sapphire, Chlorophyll, Cobalt, Silver, Anthracite, and Sunset
Pellets:
Recommendations for Printing SMARTFIL® ABS Filament
- Printing Temperature 230 – 250 ˚C
- Bed Temperature 90 – 110 ˚C
- Layer Fan 0 – 20%
- Material Flow 100%
- Layer Height ≥ 0.1 mm
- Nozzle Recommendations ≥ 0.2 mm
- Printing Speed 30 – 50 mm/s
Physical Properties:
- Density 1.04 g/cm3 (ASTM D792)
Mechanical Properties:
- Tensile Strength 32.9 12.5 MPa (ISO 527)
- Tensile Modulus - - MPa (ISO 527)
- Flexural Strength 68.1 20.7 MPa (ISO 178)
- Flexural Modulus 2245.9 140.8 MPa (ISO 178)
- Elongation at Break 1.4 0.7% (ISO 527)
- Tensile Elongation at Break 2.6 0.7% (ISO 527)
- Flexural Elongation at Break 8.8 2.5% (ISO 178)
- Charpy Impact Strength (Unnotched) 50.3 5.3 kJ/m2 (ISO 179)
- Hardness 82.7 Shore D (ISO 7619-1)
Thermal Properties
- Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) 104 ˚C (ISO 11357)
- VICAT B (50 N 50˚C/h) 105 ˚C (ISO 306)
- HDT B (0.45 MPa) 99 ˚C (ISO 75)
Recommendations for Printing SMARTFIL® ABS Pellets
Processing Recommendations:
- Pre-drying 2 – 4 hours at 80˚C
- Feed Zone 20 – 40˚C
- Melting Zone 180 – 200˚C
- Mixing Zone 210 – 220˚C
- Nozzle or Output 200 – 230˚C
Physical Properties:
- Density 1.04 g/cm3 (ISO 1183)
- Melt Flow Index (220˚C/10 kg) 19 cm3/10 min (ISO 1133)
Mechanical Properties:
- Tensile Strength (to Break, 23˚C) 45 MPa (ISO 527)
- Tensile Modulus 2300 MPa (ISO 527)
- Elongation at Break 10% (ISO 527)
- Flexural Strength 65 MPa (ISO 178)
- Charpy Impact Strength (Notched, 23˚C) 22 kJ/m2 (ISO 179)
Thermal Properties:
- Thermal Deflection Temperature (0.45 MPa) 99 ˚C (ISO 75)
- Vicat B Temperature Resistance 105 ˚C (ISO 306)
Acquire our SMARTFIL® ABS on our website: www.smartmaterials3d.com
Or if you wish to place a larger volume order, do not hesitate to inquire about our special discounts for both filament and pellets for robotic arms with your sales representative or write to us at info@smartmaterials3d.com
Be Smart!
M (750g)
L (1000g)
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