HIPS ( High Impact Polystyrene)

Owned by Imagine That
Last updated: Aug 31, 2021
2 min read

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is very similar to ABS. The main difference is that HIPS plastic uses Limonene as a solvent, therefore making it a great option as support material when printing ABS with dual extrusion printer. HIPS filament is as easy to 3D print with as ABS but is much less likely to warp. HIPS filament is available in 1.75mm and 3mm.

Print Guide: https://www.imaginethat-3d.com/hips

Printing HIPS Tips & Tricks!

HIPS is High Impact Polystyrene and has very similar properties to ABS, but offers more hardness, impact resistance and works well as a support material. Making complex prints easier to achieve by saving you some trouble as break-away support.

Some interesting facts about HIPS:

 

  • You can utilize HIPS as a support material, because it’s soluble in limonene, and it also has no effect on ABS.

  • It is frequently used on prototypes because it has excellent dimensional stability, and not to mention it is also really easy to fabricate, paint and glue.

  • HIPS is commonly used in the fabrication of home appliances, toys and product packaging.

  • HIPS is safe to humans and animals, and is believed to be non-carcinogenic.

3D PRINTING WITH HIPS: TIPS AND TRICKS

  • Since HIPS contains similar properties to ABS, You make want to apply some glue stick.

  • HIPS prints best with the bed set at 55-95°C

  • Set your hot end temperature to 240°C when 3d printing with HIPS.

 

  • DISSOLVING HIPS WITH LIMONENE:

 

  • Wait for your print to completely cool down. HIPS stays very pliable until it’s cool and might bend if you remove it from the bed if it’s still hot.

  • Place your print in a glass jar with enough limonene to soak in for 24 hours, agitate the glass jar as frequently as possible.  Are you anxious to see your final part?  Sometimes we use an agitator to speed up the process.  Time will vary depending on the amount of material you used, check your part every couple of hours.

  • Remove your print from the jar and rinse it in fresh water.

DID YOU KNOW?

Polystyrene has been around in other fields of application for decades. It is one of the most widely used thermoplastic polymers in the world. Because of its characteristics with respect to hygiene, heat resistance and strength, Polystyrene is being extensively used in additive manufacturing, food packaging industry, and also for the production of CD/DVD jewel cases and disposable plastic cutlery/dinnerware.