Rev1 ABS The Heat-Resistant, Impact-Tough Engineering Classic
The Heat-Resistant, Impact-Tough Engineering Classic
ABS is the workhorse engineering plastic behind everything from automotive trim to LEGO bricks: high heat resistance, real impact toughness, and acetone vapor-smoothing for a glossy, molded-looking finish. It rewards an enclosed printer — in 14 colors, on 1 kg and 3 kg spools. Full specifications →
In stock — ships from Rev1. Need a specific color, a 3 kg spool, or case pricing? Call (248) 707-2950.
Dimension-locked, vacuum-sealed, supported by humans.
Rev1 ABS is precision-extruded 1.75 mm filament, wound evenly and vacuum-sealed with desiccant, then stocked and supported from Auburn Hills, Michigan.
When the part has to take heat and abuse.
PLA is easy but soft and heat-sensitive; PETG is tough but flexes. ABS is the rigid, heat-resistant engineering plastic that holds its shape near boiling-water temperatures, shrugs off impact, and can be acetone vapor-smoothed to a glossy, injection-molded look. The trade-off is that ABS wants an enclosed, draft-free printer — give it that and Rev1 ABS makes durable, professional parts in 14 colors.
Even diameter and a clean wind for reliable, warp-free runs.
Round, consistent 1.75 mm filament feeds smoothly so long enclosed prints don’t fail.
Every Rev1 ABS spool is wound evenly and held to a tight diameter, so it feeds without under-extrusion across a full 1 kg or 3 kg run. Vacuum-sealed with desiccant to arrive dry — critical for ABS, which prints best straight out of the bag.
Holds its shape in hot cars, enclosures, and near motors — far past where PLA and PETG soften.
Stiff and impact-resistant — the classic choice for functional, load-bearing parts.
Vapor-smooth with acetone for a glossy, sealed, injection-molded-looking surface.
Solids, naturals, and specialty shades — carbon, conductive, glow, and metallics.
Print settings for clean, crack-free ABS.
ABS rewards a stable, draft-free environment. An enclosure, a hot bed, and minimal part cooling are what keep corners down and layers bonded.
Hotter than PETG for strong layer adhesion; a 0.4 mm brass nozzle is fine.
A hot bed plus glue or an adhesive sheet prevents the corners from lifting.
An enclosure holds chamber heat and blocks drafts — the #1 fix for warping and cracking.
ABS emits styrene odor while printing; run it in a ventilated space or with filtration.
Recommended slicer settings
A solid starting profile for Rev1 ABS on an enclosed FDM printer. Tune cooling and chamber temperature for your machine.
| Setting | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 240–260 °C | Run hot for strong layer bonding and to reduce cracking. |
| Bed temperature | 90–110 °C | Glue stick or ABS slurry on glass/PEI for a strong first layer. |
| Chamber / enclosure | Warm, draft-free | The single biggest factor in warp- and crack-free ABS. |
| Print speed | 30–60 mm/s | Moderate speeds help interlayer strength. |
| Part cooling fan | 0–20 % | Keep cooling low — too much fan cracks layers. |
| Retraction | 1–5 mm | Direct drive: ~1–2 mm. Tune to control stringing. |
| Nozzle size | 0.4 mm + | Larger nozzles add strength on functional parts. |
| Drying | 65–80 °C · 4–6 h | Only if exposed to humidity; ABS is less hygroscopic than PETG. |
| Post-processing | Acetone vapor | Optional vapor smoothing for a glossy, sealed surface. |
Parts that have to take heat and stress.
The workhorse behind functional, real-world parts.
ABS trades PLA's easy printing for real engineering performance: high heat resistance, genuine impact toughness, machinability, and acetone vapor-smoothing. Stocked in 14 colors, 1 kg and 3 kg spools.
Heat and vibration? That's ABS's home turf.
High glass-transition temperature and real impact toughness for parts near heat and movement.
Brackets, ducts, trim, and housings that live under the hood or in the cabin — ABS holds its shape and takes abuse where PLA would soften or crack.
Protective housings that shrug off knocks.
Rigid, durable boxes and cases for electronics and equipment.
ABS is the classic enclosure material — stiff walls, clean snap-fits, and enough toughness to survive drops and daily handling.
Shop-floor jigs and fixtures that last.
Dimensionally stable tooling that stands up to repeated use.
Print the fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids your line needs — ABS keeps its shape through heat, clamping, and repeated cycles.
Acetone-smooth to a glossy, molded look.
Vapor-smoothing seals the surface and hides layer lines.
One of ABS's superpowers: an acetone vapor bath melts the outer layer to a smooth, glossy, injection-molded-style finish — ideal for enclosures and presentation parts.
Natural: the clean base for smoothing and dye.
Unpigmented ABS takes acetone and custom dye beautifully.
Our Natural ABS is the go-to for a sealed, glossy finish after vapor smoothing — and a clean canvas if you want to dye parts to a custom shade.
From prototype to a part that ships.
Tough enough for real-world, end-use components.
Power-tool bodies, equipment panels, and functional end-use parts — ABS bridges prototyping and production with the durability to go into service. Ask us about 3 kg spools and case pricing.
ABS vs. PLA vs. PETG.
Pick by what the part has to survive. ABS wins on heat and post-processing; PLA on ease; PETG on the middle ground.
| Rev1 ABS | PLA | PETG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat resistance | High (~100 °C) | Low (~55 °C) | Medium (~75 °C) |
| Ease of printing | Needs enclosure | Easiest | Easy |
| Toughness | Rigid, impact-tough | Brittle | Tough, some flex |
| Smoothing | Acetone vapor | Sanding only | Limited |
| Enclosure | Recommended | Not needed | Not needed |
| Best for | Heat / functional | Easy / display | Outdoor / everyday |
General material guidance; exact performance depends on part geometry, print settings, and grade. For sustained higher temperatures, consider ASA, PC, or PA (nylon).
Rev1 ABS Technical Data
Mechanical & thermal properties
Typical values for engineering reference. Printed-part performance varies with wall count, infill, layer height, and orientation — treat these as material-level guidance, not a part spec.
| Property | Typical Value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ~40 MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | ~20 % | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength | ~65 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Flexural modulus | ~2,100 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Izod impact (notched) | ~10 kJ/m² | ISO 180 |
| Glass transition (Tg) | ~105 °C | DSC |
| Heat deflection (HDT, 0.45 MPa) | ~98 °C | ISO 75 |
| Shelf life (sealed, dry) | 12 months | — |
Specs, profiles, and a human to call.
Your trusted materials partner.
Every spool is checked for tight diameter tolerance and reliable, repeatable printing.
Call (248) 707-2950 and reach people who actually print and support these materials.
Case quantities and standing orders across the full color range.
FAQ
Rev1 ABS — Common Questions
Do I need an enclosure to print ABS?
Strongly recommended. ABS warps and cracks when it cools unevenly or hits a draft. An enclosure holds chamber heat and blocks airflow, which is the single biggest factor in clean, crack-free ABS. A heated bed at 90–110 °C is also essential.
ABS vs PLA vs PETG — which should I use?
Use ABS when the part faces heat (~100 °C), needs rigidity, or you want acetone smoothing. PLA is easiest but heat-sensitive and brittle; PETG is tough and easy but flexes and softens earlier. ABS is the engineering pick when heat and stiffness matter.
What colors and sizes are available?
A 14-color palette — from Black and Natural to reds, blues, greens and metallics — on 1 kg and 3 kg spools. Pick your color and spool size in the buy-box, or ask us about case quantities.
How do I stop ABS from warping and cracking?
Enclose the printer, run a 90–110 °C bed with glue or ABS slurry, keep part cooling low or off, and avoid drafts and AC vents. Brims and a warm chamber help large flat parts stay stuck.
Is ABS safe to print indoors?
ABS gives off a styrene odor while printing, so use it in a ventilated space or with an enclosure and filtration. Many users vent the enclosure outdoors or run a carbon/HEPA filter.
Can I smooth ABS to a glossy finish?
Yes — ABS is acetone vapor-smoothable. Controlled exposure to acetone vapor melts the outer surface slightly, leaving a glossy, sealed, injection-molded look. Natural and solid colors both smooth well.
How heat-resistant is ABS?
ABS holds its shape to roughly 100 °C (HDT ~98 °C), well past PLA and PETG — suitable for hot car interiors, enclosures, and near-motor parts. For even higher sustained heat, step up to ASA, PC, or PA (nylon).
Is the 3 kg spool better value?
Yes — the 3 kg spool lowers cost per kilogram and means fewer spool changes on long or production runs. It’s the go-to for shops and print farms.
Can Rev1 quote bulk or a specific color?
Yes. Tell us the color and quantity and we confirm stock and quote case pricing with standing-order scheduling, usually within one business day. Call (248) 707-2950.