PLA vs ABS Filament: What's the Difference?

Choosing the right filament for 3D printing can make or break your project. Beginners often grab whatever filament is cheapest or most available, only to face warping, poor adhesion, or brittle parts. PLA and ABS are the two most popular filaments, but they behave very differently during printing and in finished prints.

In this guide, you'll learn what PLA and ABS are made of, their pros and cons, printing requirements, and real-world use cases. By the end, you'll know exactly which to choose for toys, prototypes, or functional parts—no more failed prints or wasted filament.

This explainer is beginner-friendly, takes just 15 minutes to read, and includes tips to avoid common pitfalls.

▸What You'll Need

• •Basic knowledge of FDM 3D printing (no printer required to understand)
• •Access to a 3D printer (optional, for hands-on testing)
• •PLA filament spool (1kg, 1.75mm recommended)
• •ABS filament spool (1kg, 1.75mm recommended, optional)

Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes Difficulty: beginner

▸Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Understand Filament Basics

Filaments are thermoplastic materials fed into your 3D printer's extruder, melted, and layered to form objects. PLA and ABS are the most common for FDM printers. Think of them like different types of plastic: PLA is like rigid but eco-friendly cornstarch plastic, while ABS is tougher, like LEGO bricks.

Why it matters: Knowing the basics helps you see why one filament warps less or holds up better in heat. Expect PLA for quick, detailed prints and ABS for durable parts.

No action needed here—just grasp that diameter (usually 1.75mm) and quality affect all prints.

💡 Tips:

• •Always check filament diameter matches your printer specs.

Step 2: What is PLA Filament?

PLA (Polylactic Acid) is made from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane. It's the go-to for beginners because it prints at lower temperatures (190-220°C) and doesn't require a heated bed (though 50-60°C helps).

PLA produces minimal fumes, smells sweet like popcorn, and offers excellent detail for models or prototypes. However, it's brittle and softens above 60°C—fine for room-temp items but not car parts.

Expect shiny, smooth finishes with low warping.

💡 Tips:

• •Store PLA in a cool, dry place; it's less moisture-sensitive than ABS.

Step 3: What is ABS Filament?

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a petroleum-based plastic used in LEGO and automotive parts. It needs higher temps (230-250°C nozzle, 80-110°C bed) and an enclosure to prevent cooling-induced warping.

ABS is stronger, more impact-resistant, and handles up to 100°C heat. It sands and smooths well with acetone vapor but emits strong fumes—ventilate well!

Great for functional, durable prints but trickier for newbies.

⚠️ Warnings:

• •Never print ABS without ventilation; fumes can irritate eyes and lungs.

Step 4: Compare Printing Requirements

PLA: No enclosure needed, prints fast on open printers like Ender 3. Use blue tape or glue stick for bed adhesion.

ABS: Enclosure essential to maintain even temps; warping is common otherwise. Needs draft shield in slicer software.

Why it matters: Wrong settings cause failures—PLA clogs hot ends set too high, ABS warps in drafts.

💡 Tips:

• •Use Cura or PrusaSlicer profiles for each filament.

Step 5: Strength, Durability, and Finishing

PLA: Brittle, snaps under flex but precise. Food-safe versions available.

ABS: Tough, flexible, heat-resistant; post-process with acetone for pro finishes.

PLA for display/aesthetics; ABS for mechanical stress.

Step 6: Cost, Availability, and Eco-Factors

PLA: Cheaper ($15-25/kg), widely available, biodegradable (industrially).

ABS: Slightly pricier ($20-30/kg), recyclable but not home-compostable.

PLA wins for beginners; ABS for pros needing toughness.

💡 Tips:

• •Buy in bulk from reputable brands for consistent diameter.

Step 7: Choose the Right Filament for Your Project

Use PLA for: Toys, prototypes, desk decor (easy, detailed).

Use ABS for: Enclosures, gears, outdoor parts (durable, heat-proof).

Test both on small prints to see differences.

⚠️ Warnings:

• •Don't use PLA in engines or microwaves.

▸Pro Tips

• •Dry filaments before use—PLA for 4 hours at 45°C, ABS at 80°C.
• •Print ABS in a sealed box with a light bulb for gentle heat.
• •Use brim or raft for better ABS adhesion.
• •Add 5-10% gyroid infill for PLA strength without bulk.
• •Color-match filaments to your project for aesthetics.
• •Monitor first layer closely—relevel bed if needed.
• •Experiment with PETG as a PLA-ABS hybrid for balance.

▸Common Mistakes to Avoid

• •Printing ABS without enclosure: Causes massive warping—use a cardboard box as a quick fix.
• •High speeds on PLA: Leads to stringing—slow to 40-50mm/s.
• •Ignoring moisture: Soggy filament pops and clogs—always store with desiccant.
• •No bed adhesion prep: Prints lift off—apply glue stick evenly.
• •Overheating PLA: Causes blobs—stick to 200°C max.

▸Troubleshooting

Problem: ABS warping or corner lifting

Solution: Enclose printer, heat bed to 100°C, add brim, reduce fan to 0%.

Problem: PLA stringing or oozing

Solution: Increase retraction (5-6mm), lower temp by 5°C, enable combing in slicer.

Problem: Poor layer adhesion

Solution: Clean bed with IPA, ensure filament is dry, slow first layers.

Problem: Brittle prints

Solution: For PLA, use higher infill; switch to ABS for impact needs.

HATCHBOX PLA 1.75mm 1KG Spool

Reliable, consistent diameter, vibrant colors—perfect beginner PLA with minimal issues.

Best for: Everyday prints like models and prototypes.

Price Range: $24.99

HATCHBOX ABS 1.75mm 1KG Spool

High toughness and low shrinkage for durable parts; trusted brand.

Best for: Functional items like brackets or enclosures.

Price Range: $26.99

ELEGOO PLA Filament 1.75mm 1KG

Affordable, smooth extrusion, great layer adhesion for shiny finishes.

Best for: Detailed decorative prints on budget printers.

Price Range: $18.99

Creality Ender 3 Enclosure

Budget-friendly tent keeps ABS temps stable, reduces warping dramatically.

Best for: Essential for ABS on open-frame printers like Ender 3.

Price Range: $49.99-$69.99