What is the maximum build size for ABS?

The maximum build size for ABS is 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm (larger on request).

Thermoplastic

ABS — FDM 3D printing

FDM Available Express available

The classic engineering plastic — heat-happy and beautifully finishable.

ABS is the go-to for parts that see warmth and need a clean painted finish. It is comfortable to around 85–95 °C, machines and glues easily, and vapour-smooths to a near-injection surface. It warps on large flat parts and yellows under long UV exposure.

What ABS is used for

ABS is the classic engineering plastic behind LEGO bricks, automotive interior trim, power-tool housings and appliance casings. In printing it is used for functional prototypes, enclosures and parts that need to be sanded, glued or vapour-smoothed.

Property profile

Strength

Stiffness

Toughness

Flexibility

Heat

Detail

UV / Outdoor

Strengths

Comfortable service to ~85–95 °C
Machinable, sandable and glueable — the easiest to finish
Vapour smoothing gives a near-injection surface
Can be electroplated for a metal look

Know the limits

Warps on large flat parts
Yellows and embrittles under long UV exposure
Needs ventilation while printing

Maximum build size

1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm (larger on request)

Surface finish & colours

Matte layer lines off the machine; acetone vapour smoothing yields a glossy, near-injection surface. Takes primer, paint and plating well.

Wide colour range available — reach out to check a specific colour.

Best suited for

Heat over 100 °C End-use production Water-resistant

Lead time

Standard 3 business days

Express Express available 24 hours

Lead times are indicative and start from order confirmation. Actual turnaround varies model by model, depending on part geometry, print time, quantity and shipping location. Express service incurs an additional charge. Express availability is subject to current machine capacity — please confirm when ordering.

Typical technical data

Price	$7.47
Tensile strength	33 MPa
Elongation at break	10.5 %
Heat deflection (0.45 MPa)	87 °C
Heat deflection (1.80 MPa)	84 °C
Density	1.05 g/cm³
Water absorption (24 h)	0.3 %
Layer / tolerance	±0.25–0.30 mm or ±0.5%

View technical data sheet (TDS)

Finishing & post-processing for ABS

Parts printed in ABS in FDM can be finished a number of ways at KAD3D, from a clean functional surface to a fully painted, display-ready result. The treatments below are the ones we most often apply to this material.

Vapour Smoothing: A controlled solvent vapour gently melts the outer skin to a glossy, watertight finish — ideal for hiding layer lines and improving sealing.
Sanding: Hand or machine sanding knocks back layer lines and blemishes, stepping up through grits toward a smooth, even surface ready for paint or display.
Painting / Priming: Primer fills the last micro-texture so colour coats lie down evenly; the part can then be finished in any custom colour, gloss level or brand match.
Electroplating: A conductive base coat lets the part be plated in real metal (copper, nickel, chrome) for a durable metallic surface and added stiffness.
Machining: CNC machining or drilling adds precision features — flat mating faces, bores and tapped holes — to tolerances tighter than printing alone.
Annealing: Oven-annealing at 80–90 °C for 6–12 h relieves internal stress and increases crystallinity, improving strength and heat resistance (Bambu Lab filament guide). Results vary with part size, geometry and infill — some prints may warp, so test first.

What this material supports

✓ Paintable ✓ Easy to sand ✓ Electroplate friendly^* ✓ Threaded inserts

Paint & custom colour: ABS primes and paints well, so parts can be matched to any brand colour, gloss level or metallic look.
Sanding & smoothing: responds well to sanding, so layer lines can be worked back to a smooth, paint-ready surface.
Threaded inserts: heat-set or press-fit brass inserts can be installed for durable, re-usable metal threads for fasteners.
Electroplating: can be prepared and plated in real metal for a hard, metallic surface and added stiffness.

Most popular finish: Vapour-smooth, then prime and paint for a near-injection presentation finish.

Reference #3DBenchy — like-for-like pricing

To make material costs easy to compare, KAD3D prints the same standard model — the #3DBenchy — in every material. The price shown is what that identical benchmark part costs in ABS, so you can weigh materials against each other on a genuine like-for-like basis before uploading your own file.

Benchy in this material $7.47

Benchmark price is a guide for comparison only; your part is quoted on its own size, geometry and finishing. Upload your model for an exact price.

These prices were taken on 1 July 2026 and are still in place.

Get price for your part ↓ Download the reference Benchy (STL)

Where it fits

Enclosures near electronics, automotive interior clips, and painted presentation parts.

Often chosen by Melbourne and Adelaide product teams for painted presentation parts and warm-running enclosures where a finishable, heat-tolerant plastic beats PLA.

Behaves like moulded ABS — because it is ABS.

Indicative classification^*: Electroplatable

^* Classification varies by grade, process and supplier — treat as indicative and confirm with us for your application.

ABS (FDM 3D Printing)

Printed in-house by KAD3D. Upload your part for an instant quote.

Get instant quote Made in Melbourne · delivered Australia-wide.

Material data on these pages was compiled with the assistance of online research tools, in good faith, and may contain inaccuracies. Values are indicative only and intended to give a closer idea of each material's behaviour. For accurate, batch-specific TDS or SDS documentation, please contact KAD3D directly. KAD3D accepts no liability for any reliance on this information.