AON3D ABS Prime
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is an amorphous thermoplastic polymer commonly used for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing. AON3D ABS Prime filament is impact-resistant, relatively rigid, and lightweight.
ABS Prime excels in form, fit, and function prototyping such as jigs and fixtures due to its strength, low cost, and ease of printability. ABS Prime is best for medium-large parts without too many fine details.
ABS Prime is a flexible material, suited to printing with a full range of nozzle sizes to meet a wide variety of mechanical properties, surface finish, and productivity requirements.
Printing Difficulty: Easy/Beginner
ABS Prime has been replaced by AON3D Readyprint™ ABS. The print settings are different.
- Moisture Control
- Build Platform Adhesion
- General Process Settings
- Post-Processing
- Technical Specifications
- Troubleshooting & Best Practice
Moisture Control
ABS Prime is mildly susceptible to hydration. It will generally remain printable, but surface finish and seam quality will suffer after prolonged exposure.
Dry filament at 70ºC for 4-6 hours in a convection oven. Ensure drying equipment respects our site requirements to ensure adequate drying performance is achieved.
Store filament in air tight bags or containers alongside silica or zeolite desiccant. Be sure to replace desiccant regularly as its moisture capture ability is exhausted.
Our filament dry storage and feed system setup prevents filament moisture uptake minimizing the impact of moisture on the printing process.
For more information, see the Filament Drying and Moisture Control page.
Build Platform Adhesion
For instructions on how to inspect the AON3D build plates, refer to the Inspect and Clean Build Plates procedure.
For more information on build platform adhesion, see the Build Platform Adhesion guide.
PEI Build Sheet
ABS Prime prints best on PEI film build sheet as it exhibits great adhesion behavior at moderate cost and improved durability over PC sheets.
The PEI film is sensitive to Z offset calibration and thermal stability of the printer system. For best results, ensure that the machine has reached thermal equilibrium before calibrating. If the bed-to-nozzle distance is too small, or the first layer is too hot, the part may be difficult to remove without damaging the part and/or build sheet.
Caution: First layer extrusion temperatures in excess of 250ºC or elevated bed temperature selections can cause parts to permanently weld to the print surface.
Garolite G-10 Build Sheet
ABS prints well on the Garolite G-10 build sheet due to strong adhesion behavior while at recommended bed temperatures and clean removal once the build sheet is cooled down. The G-10 surface is sensitive to Z offset calibration and scratches or scuffs on the surface. For the best results, use a lower first layer speed, a higher the first layer extrusion temperature, and remove the parts gently after prints are complete to minimize damage on the build surface.
PC Film Sheet
ABS Prime prints well on PC film build sheet as it exhibits great adhesion behavior at moderate cost.
The PC film is sensitive to Z offset calibration and thermal stability of the printer system. For best results, ensure that the machine has reached thermal equilibrium before calibrating. If the bed-to-nozzle distance is too small, or the first layer is too hot, the part may be difficult to remove without damaging the part and/or build sheet.
Caution: First layer extrusion temperatures in excess of 250ºC or elevated bed temperature selections can cause parts to permanently weld to the print surface.
CF-PEEK Composite Plate
ABS Prime can also be printed on the CF-PEEK composite plate although more care is needed to ensure good first layer adhesion. To improve adhesion of ABS Prime on the CF-PEEK composite plate, reduce the First Layer Speed, increase the first layer extrusion temperature, or increase bed temperature.
Kapton® tape with Nano Polymer Adhesive
ABS Prime prints best on Kapton® tape with the use of Nano Polymer Adhesive, an applied adhesion aid.
High-Temperature Build Plate
ABS Prime can also be printed on the High-Temperature Build Plate, although the bed temperature must be increased to 105-110ºC.
Kapton® tape with Nano Polymer Adhesive
ABS Prime prints best on Kapton® tape with the use of Nano Polymer Adhesive, an applied adhesion aid.
High-Temperature Build Plate
ABS Prime can also be printed on the High-Temperature Build Plate, although the bed temperature must be increased to 105-110ºC.
General Process Settings
For best results, process settings should be adjusted based on a particular model geometry. If you require process development support, our Applications Engineering team can help! Send us a message at help@aon3d.com to consult with one of our Additive Manufacturing Specialists.
| Setting | AON M2+ | AON-M2 2020 | AON-M2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extrusion Temperature | 220-260ºC | 220-260ºC | 220-260ºC |
| Bed Temperature | 90-95ºC | 95ºC | 95ºC |
| Chamber Temperature | 50-80ºC | 50-80ºC | 50-80ºC |
| Print Speed | 40-100 mm/s | 40-100 mm/s | 40-100 mm/s |
| Nozzle Size | 0.25-1.20 mm | 0.25-1.20 mm | 0.25-1.20 mm |
| Preferred Build Platform | PEI Build Sheet | Kapton® tape with Nano Polymer Adhesive, High-Temperature Build Plate* | Kapton® tape with Nano Polymer Adhesive, High-Temperature Build Plate* |
*When using the High-Temperature Build Plate, use a bed temperature of 105-110ºC.
Dual Extrusion and Support
AON3D HIPS is a compatible breakaway support material for ABS Prime. Dual tool printing with ABS Prime and HIPS requires fine-tuning for optimal printing. For more information about printing with this support material, see the AON3D HIPS guide.
Exposure to extrusion temperature for extended periods while idling may cause ABS Prime to degrade in the nozzle. If your model has a large layer size (200x200 mm or more), reduce the temperature of the model material toolhead to 220ºC while it is idle to avoid clogging the nozzle. Adding a wipe in the Tool Change Script will clean the toolhead while it oozes and purges between each layer change.
For more information, see the Using Supports and Support Materials and Dual Extrusion pages.
Sample Slicer Profiles
SuperSlicer
All AON3D-validated materials are available in the SuperSlicer configuration bundle. Refer to SuperSlicer Installation and Update to install and update the SuperSlicer software. Follow the instructions to update to the latest version to ensure you have access to all available materials.
Simplify3D®
Simplify3D® sample profiles for ABS Prime are available in the Downloadable Assets section.
Post-Processing
Allow all machine components to reach room temperature before proceeding further. Failure to allow components to cool down will result in thermal injury (burns) to personnel.
Shrinkage, deformation, and warpage due to thermal shock may occur from removing the part before letting the machine cool. Instructions for removing the part from the build platform and additional support material can be found on the Build Platform Adhesion and Using Supports and Support Materials guides.
PEI Film Sheet
ABS Prime parts can be peeled off the PEI film sheet by hand at room temperature. Extrusions too close to the PEI film sheet may require a spatula to remove. Avoid removing prints while the PEI film sheet is still hot. If not cooled, permanent deformation of the PEI film sheet may occur when removing a large part with a lot of contact area.
Garolite G-10 Build Sheet
ABS Prime parts separate easily from the Garolite G-10 build sheet by hand at room temperature. If needed, a spatula can facilitate part removal.
PC Film Sheet
ABS Prime parts can be peeled off the PC film sheet by hand at room temperature. Extrusions too close to the PC film sheet may require a spatula to remove. Avoid removing prints while the PC film sheet is still hot. If not cooled, permanent deformation of the PC film sheet may occur when removing a large part with a lot of contact area.
CF-PEEK Composite Plate
ABS Prime parts separate easily from the CF-PEEK composite plate by hand at room temperature. If needed, a spatula can facilitate part removal.
Kapton® Tape With Nano Polymer Adhesive
ABS Prime parts may separate easily from the Kapton® tape given a sudden impact with a spatula. Larger parts may be difficult to remove without damaging the part and/or the Kapton® tape.
The Kapton® tape may separate from the build platform while remaining adhered to the bottom of the part. If so, the separation may be due to extreme part warping and/or the Kapton® tape was not applied properly to the build platform.
High-Temperature Build Plate
ABS Prime parts may separate easily from the High-Temperature Build Plate given a sudden impact with a spatula. If the build platform has been cooled, larger parts should not be difficult to remove.
Kapton® Tape With Nano Polymer Adhesive
ABS Prime parts may separate easily from the Kapton® tape given a sudden impact with a spatula. Larger parts may be difficult to remove without damaging the part and/or the Kapton® tape.
The Kapton® tape may separate from the build platform while remaining adhered to the bottom of the part. If so, the separation may be due to extreme part warping and/or the Kapton® tape was not applied properly to the build platform.
High-Temperature Build Plate
ABS Prime parts may separate easily from the High-Temperature Build Plate given a sudden impact with a spatula. If the build platform has been cooled, larger parts should not be difficult to remove.
Technical Specifications
For more information on material safety and specific material properties, contact help@aon3d.com.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Filament Diameter | 1.75 mm, +/- 0.03 mm | - |
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | ASTM D792 |
| Melt Density @ 220ºC, 10kg | 22 g/10 min | ASTM D1238 |
| Glass Transition Temperature, Tg | 95ºC | DSC |
| Heat Distortion Temperature @ 0.45MPa | 85ºC | ASTM D648 |
*All data as reported by AON3D Technical Data Sheet dated 20/3/2020. Print conditions listed on the Technical Data Sheet.
Troubleshooting & Best Practice
High Speed Printing
ABS is well-suited for high productivity applications. With appropriate nozzle size and layer height selection, ABS prime can be printed at tools speeds of up to 100 mm/s
Key best practices to consider when selecting higher print speeds:
- Print speed above 100 mm/s induce significant stress in the deposited material, leading to increased risk of warping and shrinkage under high temperature service.
- Sharp corners, small holes, and other surface details begin to lose their dimensional accuracy and resolution beyond 60-80 mm/s.
- Increased layer height is an effective alternative to high tool speeds to minimize print times while reducing overheating, residual stress, and underextrusion issues.
- Increased extrusion width or larger nozzle size selection are also effective means to reduce print time.
- At high deposition rates (elevated tool speed, layer height, or nozzle size), an increased extrusion temperature is also required to ensure consistent flow and adhesion of extruded material
Overheating
ABS Prime is prone to overheating due to its low thermal conductivity and elevated ambient temperature of the printing chamber. Overheating typically presents as deformed part features, curling edges, loss of dimensional accuracy, and increasingly glossy part surface finish.
Risk of overheating increases as:
- part sizes fall below 30 mm x 30 mm cross sectional areas.
- print speeds increase beyond 60-80 mm/s
- chamber temperatures greater than 50ºC
- chamber convection turned off
Note, nozzle size and part geometry will impact these rules of thumb.
Moderate reduction of chamber temperatures down to 50ºC can also have a positive impact on overheating. However, for large components (greater than 50 mm x 50 mm x 50 mm), warping effects may demand an elevated chamber temperature (>50ºC) selection.
For medium size cross sections (down to 10 mm x 10 mm), reduction of print speed (down to 40 mm/s) and extrusion temperature (down to 220ºC) can have a mitigating effects on overheating. For cross sections below 10 mm x 10 mm, tool contact with the print surface will dominate heating behavior. Introducing layer-to-layer dwell commands, or adding duplicate parts in the build, is the best way to manage heat accumulation in this case.
Polymer Degradation
ABS is sensitive to UV light, causing mechanical property deterioration if sufficiently exposed. UV degradation of ABS Prime is difficult to observe on raw filament but can often be seen once the material has been processed at extrusion temperatures. For example, white/natural ABS Prime that has been exposed to the sun for extended periods only shows UV degradation after printing, with yellow extrusions as shown below. Avoid exposing the material to the sun by storing it in a sealed package or container with silica desiccant.
