Both ABS and PLA are thermoplastics. When superheated, thermoplastics become malleable. This allows you to mould them into different shapes prior to cooling. 3D printing uses both PLA and ABS filament via similar processes, but they differ in as much as some printers will only utilize ABS or PLA.
3D Printers use thermoplastics which are dispensed from a reel through a heated nozzle to form a 3D printed object. This plastic is called filament.
ABS Filament
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS, is an oil-based plastic. Used for constructing things such as car parts, musical instruments, and Lego building blocks it is a strong, sturdy material. With a high melting point, ABS Polaroid 3d filament can warp if it is allowed to cool while printing. Therefore ABS prints should be carried out on a heated surface, which many home use printers do not have.
3D Printers use thermoplastics which are dispensed from a reel through a heated nozzle to form a 3D printed object. This plastic is called filament.
ABS Filament
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS, is an oil-based plastic. Used for constructing things such as car parts, musical instruments, and Lego building blocks it is a strong, sturdy material. With a high melting point, ABS Polaroid 3d filament can warp if it is allowed to cool while printing. Therefore ABS prints should be carried out on a heated surface, which many home use printers do not have.
PLA Filament
Made from organic material, cornstarch and sugarcane, Poly Lactic Acid, PLA, is both easier and safer to use than ABS. PLA gives a smoother and shinier appearance that's more aesthetically pleasing on the eye, it also has a slightly sweet odor when heated opposed to the harsh smell often associated with ABS. But, it has a far lower melting point than ABS although; PLA filament might seem like a better overall choice at first glance. Parts that are stored in high temperatures or printed parts made from PLA that are intended for use in mechanical operations, can become warped cracked or even melt. PLA is less prone to errors while printing and can achieve a superior level of print detail although weaker than ABS.
To summarize
ABS filament will be more suited to mechanical use and will give your printed objects better structural integrity. It also requires specific types of printing surfaces and printers such as a heated bed.
With a better aesthetic quality, as well as more flexibility with printing conditions PLA 3d pen filament gives you more precise prints. Simply put, for commercial grade products that need to endure more rigorous wear and tear ABS filament is more suited while PLA is for hobbyist 3D printers.
