Abs Shrinkage: Understanding 3D Print Warping And Solutions

ABS plastic is a high-temperature filament used in 3D printing. It can shrink by up to 8% or even 11% as it cools down, which is significantly more than other 3D printing filaments. This is due to its molecular make-up, which is similar to a bowl of spaghetti under a microscope. When ABS is heated, the polymer chains move away from each other, and as the material cools, it starts to shrink. This can cause warping, which is a contributing factor to why high-temperature filaments are prone to distortion.

ABS shrinkage rates

Shrinkage occurs because plastics and other materials expand slightly when heated to high temperatures during printing. As the material rapidly cools, it starts to shrink back down, reducing the overall dimensions of the print. This is also known as thermal contraction.

To reduce ABS shrinkage, you can use a 3D printer with an enclosed heated printing chamber, such as the Zortrax Inventure. This tightly controlled 3D printing environment solves the issue of ABS shrinkage. You can also compensate for shrinkage by scaling up the dimensions of the 3D model, adjusting the horizontal expansion setting in the slicer, or using a heated bed and an enclosure to control the temperature.

ABS vs PLA shrinkage

Shrinkage is the reduction in size of a 3D-printed object due to thermal contraction of the filament as it cools down. This occurs because plastics and other materials expand slightly when heated to high temperatures during printing. As the material rapidly cools, it starts to shrink back down, reducing the overall dimensions of the print.

Shrinkage depends on the type of filament, the printing temperature, the cooling rate, and the ambient temperature. Higher-temperature filaments tend to shrink more than lower-temperature ones.

ABS has a shrinkage rate of up to 11%, while PLA has a shrinkage rate of 0.2% to 3%. This means that ABS can shrink up to four times as much as PLA. The actual shrinkage can vary depending on the printing temperature, cooling rate, or the additives in the filament.

To compensate for shrinkage, you can scale up the dimensions of the 3D model, adjust the horizontal expansion setting in the slicer, or use a heated bed and an enclosure to control the temperature.

Reducing ABS shrinkage

ABS plastic can shrink by up to 8% or even 11% when 3D printed. This is because it is a high-temperature filament, and higher-temperature filaments tend to shrink more than lower-temperature ones.

To reduce ABS shrinkage, you can try the following:

• Use a heated bed and an enclosure to control the temperature.
• Scale up the dimensions of the 3D model.
• Adjust the horizontal expansion setting in the slicer.
• Use a 3D printer with an enclosed heated printing chamber, such as the Zortrax Inventure. This tightly controlled 3D printing environment can help to reduce ABS shrinkage.

ABS shrinkage causes

ABS shrinkage occurs because the plastic expands when heated to high temperatures during the printing process. As the material cools, it starts to shrink, reducing the overall dimensions of the print. ABS is a high-temperature filament, so it shrinks more than lower-temperature filaments. The shrinkage rate of ABS is up to 11%, but it can be as low as 0.7-0.8% depending on the brand and colour of the filament. The actual shrinkage can also vary depending on the printing temperature, cooling rate, and ambient temperature.

ABS shrinkage can cause significant distortion of the geometry of the final print, and the material is particularly prone to warping. This is because the thermal stress caused by shrinkage can lead to uneven contraction across the print.

To reduce ABS shrinkage, it is important to account for the specific shrinkage rate of the material and compensate for this when designing the print. This can be done by scaling up the dimensions of the 3D model, adjusting the horizontal expansion setting in the slicer, or using a heated bed and an enclosure to control the temperature.

Additionally, using a 3D printer with a tightly controlled printing environment, such as the Zortrax Inventure, can help to reduce ABS shrinkage and warping. This printer has an enclosed heated printing chamber that maintains a consistent temperature, minimising the thermal stress on the print.

ABS shrinkage compensation

To compensate for this shrinkage, there are a few methods that can be used. One is to scale up the dimensions of the 3D model. This will ensure that the final print is the correct size, as the shrinkage will reduce the overall dimensions. Another method is to adjust the horizontal expansion setting in the slicer. This can help to counteract the thermal stress caused by shrinkage, which can distort the geometry of the print.

A third method is to use a heated bed and an enclosure to control the temperature. This can help to reduce the amount of shrinkage, as the material will not cool as rapidly. The Zortrax Inventure, for example, is a 3D printer with an enclosed heated printing chamber that can reduce ABS shrinkage.

It is also important to consider the brand and colour of the filament, as these factors can affect the shrinkage rate. By accounting for the specific shrinkage rate of the material and implementing these compensation methods, it is possible to achieve accurately sized prints that match your digital designs.

Frequently asked questions