Home/PLA vs ABS
Side-by-side · manufacturer-sourced
PLA vs ABS — settings & when to use which
A side-by-side of recommended print settings and practical trade-offs between PLA (Polylactic Acid) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), from the manufacturer data this site is built on.
| PLA | ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temp | 180–230°C | 230–270°C |
| Bed temp | 25–65°C | 80–110°C |
| Enclosure | Not needed | Required |
| Part cooling | high | none |
| Moisture sensitivity | low | medium |
| Heat resistance | Low | High |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column
- Prototypes and visual models
- Toys, figurines, miniatures
- Indoor display pieces
- Anything where heat resistance does not matter
- Durable indoor functional parts
- Parts needing heat resistance
- Acetone vapor-smoothed finishes
FAQ
Should I print in PLA or ABS?
PLA: The default beginner filament: prints cool, almost no warping, no enclosure needed. ABS: A durable, heat-resistant engineering plastic that can be acetone-smoothed — but it warps hard and emits fumes (styrene), so an enclosure and ventilation are effectively required. In short, PLA runs cooler (180–230 °C, no enclosure needed) and ABS runs hotter (230–270 °C, enclosure required).
Is ABS stronger than PLA?
PLA heat resistance: Low. Glass transition ~55–60 °C; unmodified PLA parts deform in a hot car or direct summer sun. ABS heat resistance: High. Glass transition ~100 °C — suitable for warm environments and under-hood-adjacent indoor parts.