ABS+ (ABS Plus): density, print temperature and when to choose it
ABS+ (ABS Plus) is a refined formula of plain ABS with additives that reduce interlayer delamination and corner warping during printing — the same problems that originally led to PLA+ relative to plain PLA. In its base properties ABS+ remains the same ABS: the same impact resistance and heat resistance, but it's a bit easier and more predictable to print.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈1.05 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle temperature | 230–250°C |
| Bed temperature | 95–110°C |
| Part cooling | light or off |
| Shrinkage | noticeable, but lower than plain ABS |
| Enclosure required | yes |
When to use it
- Functional parts where plain ABS used to be the choice but ran into corner delamination or bed lift — ABS+ reduces the frequency of that defect without changing the print process.
- Prototypes and housings that need impact resistance and acetone vapor post-processing for surface smoothing — ABS+ behaves the same way as plain ABS.
- Printing on machines without a perfectly tuned enclosure, where a slightly more forgiving formula lowers the risk of failure.
When to pick something else
- You can print without an enclosure and without risk of deformation — PETG is easier to print and gives comparable strength for many tasks.
- You need UV and weather resistance outdoors — ASA is a better fit, offering the same benefits as ABS plus sun-fade protection.
- You need even higher impact strength and heat resistance — consider PC or PC-ABS.
Pros and cons
Pros: less delamination and warping than plain ABS, retains impact resistance and acetone-vapor finishing, a slightly wider printing temperature window.
Cons: still requires an enclosure and heated bed, the sharp odor while printing remains, costs more than base ABS, the printability gain isn't equally noticeable on every printer.
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The reduced tendency to delaminate and deform directly lowers the defect rate compared to plain ABS — this is the main economic argument for ABS+ despite its higher price per kilogram, especially on large flat parts where plain ABS more often lifts off the bed. Enclosure and ventilation requirements remain the same as for plain ABS, so ABS+ doesn't save on printing infrastructure.