Comparison
ABS FDM Filament vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Filament for FDM and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.04 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.4 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
High (0.5-0.9%)
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.0-2.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
40-50 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
5-15 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
5-10 kJ/m²
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
100-105 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
200-260 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
80-90 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
80-95 °C @ 0.45 MPa
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.8-3.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹³-10¹⁵ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 MV/m
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Resistant to dilute acids
Fair
Bases
Attacked by strong acids and bases
Poor
Solvents
Attacked by acetone, esters, ketones
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (ABS stream)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate to High
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %