If you’ve ever tried to 3D print a part only to watch it curl, snap, or sag in all the wrong places, you know that picking the right material is all about performance. ABS and PLA are two of the most popular 3D printing plastics, but they behave differently in practice. So which one makes the most sense for your next design?
This guide compares their properties, pros and cons, and real-world applications to help you make the right call whether you’re prototyping, testing, or scaling to production.
PLA is only available through Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), a service offered by Protolabs Network. ABS is more widely supported and is available through both our network and factory 3D printing, injection moulding, and CNC machining services.
Both are thermoplastics, meaning they soften when heated and harden when cooled, but their capabilities and best-fit uses vary widely.
Properties of ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a common thermoplastic known for its toughness, heat resistance, and durability. However, it can be slightly more challenging to print with compared to PLA due to its tendency to warp.
It's one of the most popular 3D printing materials for functional parts, but ABS is also used in injection moulding and CNC machining for everything from automotive components to consumer electronics.
ABS is impact-resistant and keeps its dimensional stability, even under heat or mechanical load. It’s less brittle than PLA and holds up better in industrial and outdoor environments.
- Strong and durable
- Better heat resistance than PLA
- Slightly flexible under stress
- Prone to wrapping without a heated print bed
- Releases fumes during printing, so ventilation is recommended
Learn more about ABS material options.
Advantages and Disadvantages of ABS
ABS gives you a practical mix of strength and heat resistance, but it’s not without its drawbacks. Here’s a quick look at how it performs.
Advantages
- High strength and impact resistance
- Suitable for tight-tolerance resistance
- Good thermal stability
- Works for end-use parts
- Smooth surface finish
Disadvantages
- Requires controlled printing environment
- Prone to warping without a heated bed
- Emits fumes during printing
Uses and Applications of ABS
ABS shows up in all kinds of everyday products that need to be strong, lightweight, and hold up under heat.
- Consumer electronics like laptop shells, phone cases and enclosures.
- Automotive for dashboards, trim pieces, and small structural parts that need to handle heat and wear.
- Robotics for parts like brackets, covers, and support frames that need both strength and precision.
- Industrial equipment like housings and working prototypes that take a beating.
It works well with 3D printing (including FDM, SLS and MJF), CNC machining, and injection moulding, so it’s easy to carry it from prototype to production.
Properties of PLA
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a plant-based plastic made from renewable sources like corn starch or sugarcane. It’s used in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), where the material is melted and extruded through a nozzle to build parts layer by layer. Standard PLA isn’t suitable for other 3D printing methods or manufacturing processes like injection moulding or SLS, due to its lower heat resistance and mechanical strength. But it’s a reliable choice for visual prototypes, concept models, and parts that won’t be under stress.
- Made from renewable plants like corn or sugarcane
- Breaks down in industrial composting (but doesn’t readily degrade in natural environments, so proper disposal is important)
- Prints easily with a nice finish
- Not as strong or heat-resistant as ABS
Explore more PLA material data (offered by Protolabs Network).
Advantages and Disadvantages of PLA
While PLA is often chosen for fast prototyping and visual parts, it has some limits under stress or heat.
Advantages
- Easy to print with minimal warping
- Low odour and emissions
- Smooth finish and good detail
- Relatively low cost
Disadvantages
- Brittle under stress
- Poor heat resistance
- Not a good fit for high-stress or load-bearing parts
Uses and Applications of PLA
PLA is a solid choice when you don’t need a part to handle much stress or heat. It’s easy to work with, prints cleanly, and looks great, so it’s often used for visual models and test fits where ease and safety matter. It’s also one of the most affordable materials available for 3D printing, which makes it popular for early-stage design and classroom projects.
- Medical: Useful for surgical guides, trays, and anatomy models, especially when you need clean processing and visual clarity for medical planning.
- Education: Popular in schools for demos and model-making since it’s safe, low-odour, and prints reliably.
- Electronics: Used to prototype plastic housings or test-fit parts that won’t be under heavy use.
- Consumer goods: Low-load prototypes for packaging, toys, or household items.
PLA is great for 3D printing, but because it’s not as strong or heat-resistant as other materials, it’s rarely the material of choice for full production runs.
Industry Comparison
|
Industry |
Application |
Material Pick |
Why It’s a Fit |
|
Housings, enclosures, wearables |
ABS |
Durable, heat-resistant and tough under stress |
|
|
Prototypes, surgical models, packaging |
PLA |
Suitable for low-stress, non-functional models and planning tools |
|
|
Models, parts for demonstration |
PLA |
Easy to print, minimal warping |
|
|
Dashboards, trims, components |
ABS |
Higher heat tolerance and structural strength |
|
|
Internal frames, covers, jigs |
ABS |
Tough enough for handling stress and motion |
When to Use Each in Manufacturing
When you're choosing between ABS and PLA, it often comes down to how tough your part needs to be and how fast you want to print it. ABS is the heavy lifter—great for strength, durability, and higher heat. PLA is the sprinter—easy to print, budget-friendly, and ideal for fast-turn prototypes. Here's how to tell which material fits your needs.
- Need heat resistance and durability for functional parts? → Go with ABS
- Prototyping or creating visual models with limited mechanical stress? → Choose PLA
- Working in a classroom or office where safety and emissions matter? →
- Use PLA Building structural parts or items that take physical wear? → Use ABS
- On a tight prototyping budget and want low material cost? → Choose PLA
- Designing parts that may sit in a warm environment (like a car interior)? → ABS performs better
For a deeper dive, read our guide to selecting the right 3D printing material.
Alternative Material Options
If PLA and ABS don’t meet your needs, there are plenty of other 3D printing plastics out there, each with their own strengths for different applications. Below is a breakdown by material.
Alternatives to PLA
- PETG: Combines the printability of PLA with better toughness and chemical resistance. A solid step up when visual quality is still important but you need more durability.
- TPU: A flexible, rubbery material great for parts that need to bend, compress, or stretch, like gaskets, grips, or wearables.
- ASA: Offers similar ease of printing to PLA but holds up better outdoors, with higher UV and weather resistance.
Alternatives to ABS
- Nylon: Strong, flexible, and wear-resistant, nylon is ideal for parts under load or motion, such as gears, hinges, and mechanical tools.
- Polycarbonate (PC): Extremely tough with high heat resistance. Best suited for high-performance parts, though it requires a controlled print setup.
- PEEK: An advanced thermoplastic with exceptional strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance.
Explore more materials in our 3D printing material selector.
Plastic Properties Comparison
If you're deciding between several plastic options, this chart lays out the most important characteristics across commonly used materials.
|
Material |
Strength (MPa) |
Flexibility |
Heat Resistance (°C) |
Ease of Printing |
Typical Applications |
|
ABS |
~40–50 |
Moderate |
100–105 |
Moderate |
Functional prototypes, enclosures, automotive parts |
|
PLA |
~50 |
Low |
50–60 |
High |
Visual models, early-stage prototypes, educational tools |
|
PETG |
~50–60 |
Moderate |
70–80 |
High |
Prototypes needing strength and visual appeal |
|
Nylon |
~60–80 |
High |
90–120 |
Moderate |
Gears, jigs, moving parts |
|
Polycarbonate |
~70 |
Moderate |
110–135 |
Low |
High-performance tooling, lighting housings |
|
ASA |
~45–50 |
Moderate |
95–100 |
Moderate |
Outdoor parts, enclosures, automotive trims |
Interested in more materials? Download the Protolabs Periodic Table of Materials, your visual guide for the most popular materials offered at Protolabs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, ABS or PLA?
expand_less expand_moreWhich is better, ABS or PLA?
It depends on your priorities. Choose ABS for strength, heat resistance, and functional parts. Choose PLA for simple prototypes and when ease of printing matters most.
Which is stronger, ABS or PLA?
expand_less expand_moreABS is generally tougher and more impact resistant, while PLA is more brittle and works for visual models.
Is PLA or ABS more brittle?
expand_less expand_morePLA is more brittle and can snap under stress. ABS is more ductile and tends to bend or deform slightly before breaking
Can I use PLA instead of ABS?
expand_less expand_moreYes, if the part isn’t exposed to high stress, heat, or environmental wear. PLA works best for low-load applications.
Which is easier to print—PLA or ABS?
expand_less expand_morePLA is easier to print with and less prone to warping. It prints well on open-frame printers and doesn’t need a heated enclosure.
Is ABS or PLA better for outdoor use?
expand_less expand_moreNeither is ideal for long-term outdoor use. ABS can degrade with UV exposure, and PLA breaks down more quickly in the elements. ASA is a better alternative.
Is PLA more expensive than ABS?
expand_less expand_moreNo, standard PLA usually costs less than ABS, especially for prototyping.
Which has faster lead times—PLA or ABS?
expand_less expand_moreLead times are usually similar, but PLA can be slightly quicker to print due to its ease of use.
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Need more help deciding between CNC machining and DMLS? Upload your CAD model for a quick, interactive quote. |
Learn More
To find out more about how PLA stacks up against ABS, check out this video comparing the two plastics or browse our 3D Printing Resource Hub.
