3D Pen Filament: PLA Vs ABS

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Whether you have a 3D printer or a 3D pen, you will need filament to create your 3D objects and art pieces.

There are two different types of 3D pen filaments available: PLA and ABS.

Both of these filaments are essentially plastics that melt when heat is applied.

This makes them malleable and you can shape the filament into whatever you want to create.

But are both PLA and ABS the same? Are there any differences in these plastics?

In this article, we take a closer look at both PLA and ABS, their advantages and their differences.

What Is PLA (Polylactic Acid) Filament?

Polylactic Acid or PLA filament is a biodegradable thermoplastic.

This means that this filament is made with renewable materials, such as soybeans, sugarcane or corn starch.

When you melt PLA plastic filament with your 3D pen, it doesn’t create any bad odors which makes it ideal for classrooms and the use at home.

However, the biggest advantage of PLA is that it can be easily used to 3D print because it has a very low melting temperature.

PLA is also used outside of 3D where you can find it in food packaging, medical implants and even plastic cups.

Also the tobacco industry uses PLA based filters for cigarettes.

What Is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Filament?

ABS plastic filament is an oil-based thermoplastic.

You can usually find it in protective headgear, automotive trim and even some of the most popular toys, such as LEGO.

Unlike PLA filament, ABS filament spreads a strong odor of burning plastic.

That’s why it is essential to use ABS either outside or in a room with open windows.

Despite its strong smell, ABS is stronger, more flexible and durable than PLA which makes ABS printed objects last much longer.

Comparison Of PLA And ABS

Although you can both use ABS and PLA filaments for your 3D pens and 3D printing, there are a few differences that you should be aware of.

PLA Plastic: Advantages And Disadvantages

PLA plastic filament melts at a temperature between 180 and 220 degrees Celsius.

This is a slightly lower melting point than ABS.

A big advantage with PLA is that it is made with natural materials which means that it creates no bad odors.

It does however have a slightly sweet smell when you melt it, which resembles the smell of honey or corn.

The absence of any toxic smells makes PLA filament ideal for the use with children and in enclosed rooms.

PLA also sticks very well to a range of different surfaces, such as ceramics, glass and metal.

Thanks to its fluidity, PLA binds very well when you are creating different layers.

This improves the durability of your 3D printed object.

Another big advantage of PLA is that it is available in a large range of colors, even some that glow in the dark.

While PLA is a child-friendly filament for 3D pens, it also has its disadvantages.

Due to its low melting temperature, PLA objects can easily warp or deform when they are exposed to a lot of heat.

It’s also good to be aware that PLA is a little bit more difficult to handle and grind compared to ABS plastic.

Plus, PLA products start to disintegrate after a year which isn’t ideal when you are looking to make an object last for much longer.

ABS Plastic: Advantages And Disadvantages

ABS 3D filament melts at 225 to 250 degrees Celsius which is slightly higher than PLA filament.

Typically, ABS filament has a natural milky or beige color before you paint it.

This means that during the production process, almost any shade or color can be added.

ABS doesn’t stick as well as PLA but it works perfectly fine for drawing on paper.

You can also use ABS on other surfaces if you spray some hairspray onto the surface first.

While you cannot use ABS on all surfaces, it is still shock-resistant and hard enough so that it withstands bending.

Although this filament plastic isn’t made with natural materials, you can still recycle it as normal plastic.

Its adaptable flexibility allows ABS objects to be ground and processed easily, and it is much more durable than PLA.

All these advantages make ABS one of the most popular 3D pen filaments.

However, there are also a few drawbacks of ABS that you should be aware of.

One of the biggest advantages with this plastic filament type is that it creates an extremely strong smell when you melt it.

This means it isn’t suitable for working in smaller rooms. You need good ventilation or work outside.

In addition, ABS is also more prone to overheating when it is being processed, so make sure that you set the temperature of your 3D pen correctly.

Which 3D Pen Filament Is Better: PLA Or ABS?

The best 3D pen filament for kids is PLA plastic because it requires a much lower temperature and it doesn’t create any toxic fumes.

As most arts and crafts objects that are created by children do not need to be durable, PLA is ideal.

If you are looking for something longer lasting, then ABS filament is the better option as it is much more durable and shock-resistant.

Whether you plan to use PLA or ABS for your arts and crafts project, it’s important that you store it in a sealed container.

This will keep it safe from moisture which can impact your 3D printing results.

Final Thoughts

Both ABS and PLA plastics are great for 3D pens as well as 3D printers. Both have their advantages and drawbacks.

PLA filament is much more suitable for children and smaller 3D objects that don’t need to last for too long.

In comparison, ABS is used a lot more for a range of different 3D printing applications, so it is also much more widely available.

Whatever 3D pen filament you choose, make sure that you pick the one that is suitable for your 3D pen.