ABS vs PA12
How ABS and PA12 compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- ABS is more heat resistant; PA12 is easier to print, better outdoors and more flexible.
- PA12 typically prints about 10 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- ABS typically prints about 10 °C hotter on the bed.
- PA12 is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 12 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 151 ABS filaments in 1,021 colours, and 50 PA12 filaments in 90 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| ABS | PA12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Easier to print | |
| Toughness | ||
| Stiffness | ||
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | Better outdoors | |
| Flexibility | More flexible | |
| Setup | Needs an enclosure, Needs ventilation | Dry before printing |
| ABS | PA12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | Nylon 12 (polyamide 12) |
| Filaments listed | 151 | 50 |
| Brands | 72 | 26 |
| Colours | 1,021 | 90 |
| Nozzle temperature | 230–260 °C | 240–270 °C |
| Bed temperature | 90–110 °C | 80–100 °C |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ | 1.01 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 400 m | about 412 m |
| Max drying temperature | 80 °C | 70 °C |
Temperatures are medians across each material's filaments, rounded to 5 °C. Always check the maker's settings for a specific filament.
Brands that make both
23 brands make both ABS and PA12; these have the most of each.