ABS-Like Resin vs ABS Filament Compared

Deciding between ABS like resin vs ABS filament impacts your print quality, strength, and workflow. ABS like resin offers superior detail and smooth finishes through resin printing, while ABS filament provides traditional FDM reliability with good heat resistance.

Each material has distinct advantages for different applications. Understanding how they compare in strength, surface finish, and ease of use helps you select the right option for your projects.

In this guide, we'll compare ABS like resin vs ABS filament across critical factors. You'll discover which material delivers the performance you need and how to maximize results with either choice.

Key Takeaways

• ABS-like resin prints sharper details but usually costs more per job
• ABS filament is great for bigger builds and stands up to heat better
• Your project’s size and detail level should steer your material choice

Ready for reliable FDM printing with minimal warping? Explore our ABS filament collection for strong, heat-resistant parts at budget-friendly prices.

Understanding ABS Like Resin And ABS Filament

ABS-like resin and ABS filament come from two pretty different 3D printing worlds, but both try to copy traditional ABS plastic in their own way. Resin uses photopolymers and stereolithography, while filament uses good old fused deposition modeling.

What Is ABS Like Resin?

ABS-like resin is made for resin printers that use SLA, LCD, or DLP tech. It’s a photopolymer that hardens with UV light. The whole point is to fix the brittleness you get with regular resin.

This stuff is tougher than your average clear resin. Parts printed with it are less likely to snap or crack under stress, which is a relief if you’re tired of delicate prints falling apart.

You’ll get a smooth finish right out of the printer, and you can go down to layer heights as fine as 50 microns. The result? Pretty crisp details and decent strength—though not quite as flexible as some other specialty resins.

What Is ABS Filament?

ABS filament is a thermoplastic that FDM printers use. These machines melt and squish out the plastic one layer at a time. ABS filament has been around forever in 3D printing circles.

It needs pretty high temps: usually 220-250°C for the nozzle and a heated bed at 80-110°C, or you'll end up with warped prints. ABS parts hold up at temps up to 100°C without turning into a puddle.

FDM printers handle bigger prints than most resin machines. Layer heights usually sit between 100 and 300 microns. You’ll see layer lines, but the parts come out strong enough for real-world use.

Key Material Properties Comparison

ABS-like resin can print with much finer detail than FDM can manage. Resin printers churn out parts with about five times the detail of ABS filament prints. That’s a big deal if you’re after crisp edges and a silky finish.

ABS filament holds up better to heat and has more durability for parts that actually need to do something besides look pretty. It’s less brittle than most resins, and FDM printers usually let you go bigger with your prints.

Both materials come with their own post-processing chores. ABS-like resin parts need a wash and a UV cure. ABS filament prints need supports removed, and usually some sanding or vapor smoothing if you want them to look halfway decent.

Print Quality, Strength, And Performance

ABS-like resin gives you smoother, more detailed prints, while ABS filament is all about strength and impact resistance. They’re pretty different in how they cure, take heat, and deal with stress.

Surface Finish And Detail Accuracy

ABS-like resin just looks better out of the printer. It prints in layers as thin as 25 to 50 microns, so layer lines are almost invisible unless you’re really looking for them. That’s why folks use it for miniatures, jewelry, or anything where looks matter.

ABS filament, even at its best, leaves visible lines. FDM printers usually run between 100 and 200 microns, so you get that classic “3D printed” texture. You can smooth it out with acetone vapor, but that’s another step and a bit of a hassle.

Resin’s UV curing makes tiny features—like text or fine threads—come out sharp and clear. ABS filament just can’t get that precise, since the nozzle can’t lay down plastic as finely as resin cures.

Mechanical Strength And Durability

ABS filament beats standard ABS-like resin for impact resistance and toughness. Regular resin can crack or shatter if you drop it, but ABS filament prints usually flex and take a hit without breaking. That makes filament a better pick for functional parts and prototypes that might see some abuse.

Tougher specialty resins can come close to matching filament strength, but they’re pricier and still need careful handling. Plus, resin prints only hit peak strength after a proper UV post-cure—skip that, and your parts stay softer and more brittle than you’d expect.

Heat Resistance And Chemical Properties

ABS filament holds up to heat better than ABS-like resin. It keeps its shape up to 90-100°C, so it’s good for parts that might get a bit warm in use.

ABS-like resin softens and warps at lower temps, usually around 50-70°C. Leave resin parts out in the sun too long, and UV light will yellow and weaken them. If you’re using resin prints outside, you’ll want to paint or coat them to keep sunlight from wrecking them.

Both materials stand up to common chemicals like oils and mild solvents. ABS filament dissolves in acetone, which is handy for smoothing or joining parts. ABS-like resin shrugs off acetone but might react to other strong chemicals, depending on the blend.

Need impact-resistant prints with smooth finishes? Discover our ABS like resin options that deliver toughness and exceptional detail quality.

Cost, Ease Of Use, And Best Applications

ABS-like resin usually needs more upfront investment and a trickier setup, while ABS filament is cheaper and easier to get going with. Your total cost depends on your printer, how much you print, and how much time you spend finishing parts.

Printer Requirements And Setup Complexity

ABS filament works with FDM printers, which most people find pretty easy to set up and maintain. You’ll need a heated bed and an enclosure to keep prints from warping, but that’s standard on a lot of machines now. Not too scary for beginners.

ABS-like resin needs an SLA, LCD, or DLP printer. These are fussier: you’ve got to deal with liquid resin, clean the vat every time, swap out FEP film now and then, and do a UV post-cure. It’s a bit of a process.

Filament printing gets messy during the print—warping, layer adhesion, that sort of thing. Resin printing is messier after the print, thanks to all the washing and safe disposal of leftover resin.

Price Per Part And Long-Term Costs

ABS filament is cheaper by weight than ABS-like resin. A typical spool of filament goes for about $20-30, while a liter of resin can cost anywhere from $40-80 depending on where you get it.

If you’re just making a few prototypes, resin’s higher price might be worth it for the detail. Resin prints also tend to need less support, so you waste less material. But if you’re printing bigger or more parts, filament wins on cost every time.

Don’t forget about other stuff you’ll need. Resin printing burns through FEP films, cleaning alcohol, gloves, and resin tanks. Filament printing means you’ll eventually swap out nozzles or build surfaces. Power use is about the same for most hobby projects.

Ideal Use Cases For Each Material

ABS filament is your go-to for bigger, tougher parts that need to handle some abuse or heat. It’s what you’d use for tooling, jigs, fixtures, automotive bits, and sturdy housings. It’s strong and cost-effective for large prints.

ABS-like resin shines when you need detailed prototypes, small mechanical bits, or precision components. It’s great for electronics cases, connectors, intricate assemblies, or anything where a smooth finish and tight tolerances matter. If you want a model that looks sharp for a presentation, resin’s the way to go.

If you’re making 50 or more of the same part, you might want to look into injection molding instead. For one-off parts or small batches, both materials are solid picks—it just depends on your priorities.

Conclusion: ABS-Like Resin vs ABS Filament

Choosing between ABS like resin vs ABS filament depends on your project priorities. ABS like resin excels at detail and surface finish, while ABS filament offers easier printing and lower per-part costs for larger objects.

Consider your printer setup, budget, and application requirements when making your decision. Both materials can produce durable, functional parts when used with proper techniques and settings.

Want to learn more about filament storage and longevity? Check out our guide on how long does filament last to maximize your material investment.

Frequently Asked Questions: ABS-Like Resin vs ABS Filament

ABS-like resin holds up better than standard resin, but whether you go with resin or filament depends on what you need. ABS-like resin copies ABS plastic’s properties, but it’s not exactly the same as ABS filament.

Is ABS-like resin stronger?

ABS-like resin is significantly tougher than standard resin, handling impacts and drops without breaking easily. It offers 10-15% elongation before failure compared to standard resin's 5-7%, making it better for parts needing flexibility. Thin parts like miniatures resist snapping during normal handling.

Is resin or filament better?

Resin prints deliver about five times finer layer resolution than ABS filament, producing superior detail and smooth surfaces. ABS filament costs less at around $20 per kg compared to resin's $15-80 per 500ml-1L. Choose resin for fine details and smooth finishes, filament for larger prints and lower costs.

Is ABS resin the same as ABS plastic?

ABS-like resin isn't the same as ABS plastic filament—it mimics ABS properties but uses different chemistry. ABS plastic is a thermoplastic for FDM printers, while ABS-like resin is a photopolymer that cures under UV light. ABS-like resin typically contains additives like Polyurethane Acrylate to match real ABS toughness.

What's better than ABS filament?

PETG prints easier than ABS with minimal warping while maintaining solid strength for FDM applications. ABS-like resin delivers superior detail with smoother surfaces and sharper resolution, especially for small parts. Mixing ABS-like resin with flexible resin at 5:1 creates exceptionally tough prints that handle impacts and drilling like regular plastic.