Printing ABS and other high-temperature resistant materials like Nylon, Polycarbonate (PC), and PETG on a Creality K1 Max requires specific print settings to achieve high-quality results. These materials offer higher heat resistance and strength but are often more challenging to print than standard filaments like PLA, as they require high temperatures and are prone to issues like warping and layer separation.

Here are some tips and recommended settings to optimize printing ABS and other high-temperature materials.

1. Printing temperature and extrusion settings

The extrusion temperature is crucial for processing ABS and other high-temperature resistant materials. Too low a temperature leads to poor layer adhesion, while too high a temperature can cause over-extrusion and poor surface quality.

a. ABS

  • Extruder temperature: 230-260°C
    • ABS requires high temperatures to melt properly and bond well. Too low a temperature can cause layers not to adhere properly, compromising strength.
  • Bed temperature: 90-110°C
    • The print bed should also be set to a high temperature to minimize warping and improve first layer adhesion.

b. PETG

  • Extruder temperature: 220-250°C
    • PETG is easier to print than ABS but still requires relatively high temperatures. It bonds well between layers, but at too high temperatures, it tends to string.
  • Bed temperature: 70-85°C
    • PETG adheres better than ABS, so a lower bed temperature is sufficient.

c. Nylon

  • Extruder temperature: 240-270°C
    • Nylon requires particularly high temperatures to be processed optimally. At lower temperatures, layer adhesion is severely compromised.
  • Bed temperature: 70-90°C
    • Nylon also tends to warp significantly, so good adhesion and temperature control on the build plate are crucial.

d. Polycarbonate (PC)

  • Extruder temperature: 260-300°C
    • Polycarbonate is one of the most demanding materials and requires the highest temperatures to flow properly.
  • Bed temperature: 100-110°C
    • A heated build plate is essential to prevent warping.

Tip: When working with high-temperature resistant materials, use an All-Metal Hotend to ensure the hotend withstands higher temperatures without the PTFE tube melting.

2. Print bed and adhesion optimization

Heat-resistant materials like ABS and polycarbonate tend to warp and detach the first layer because they contract significantly when cooling. Using the correct print bed settings and adhesives is crucial to prevent this.

a. Preparing the print bed

  • PEI-coated print beds: A PEI print bed offers excellent adhesion for ABS, PETG, and polycarbonate. It is durable and easy to clean.
  • Glass print beds: When using glass print beds, apply an adhesive like hairspray, glue stick, or ABS slurry (a mixture of ABS and acetone) to improve adhesion.

b. Optimizing the heated bed

  • Make sure the heated bed is evenly heated, especially for large prints. Uneven temperature distribution can cause irregular adhesion and warping.
  • First layer: Print the first layer slower to ensure the filament adheres well. A speed of 20-30 mm/s is optimal for the first layer.

c. Avoiding Warping

  • Brim or Raft: Use a brim or a raft in the slicing software to improve first layer adhesion and reduce warping. A brim increases the contact area of the first layer, while a raft serves as a base for the print.
  • Bed height adjustment: Make sure the Z-offset is correctly calibrated to avoid extruding the filament too far from the build plate.

3. Printing Speed and Retraction

The printing speed significantly affects print quality, especially with high-temperature resistant materials. A slow speed allows better layer adhesion, while a fast speed can lead to insufficient fusion between layers.

a. Print speed

  • Recommended speed for ABS: 30-50 mm/s
    • Print ABS slower than PLA to ensure good adhesion between layers.
  • PETG and Nylon: These materials can be printed somewhat faster, but a speed of 40-60 mm/s is ideal for good layer adhesion.

b. Retraction settings

  • Reduce retraction: For materials like ABS and PETG, retraction (filament pullback) should be reduced to avoid overstretching the filament and minimize the risk of clogs. A retraction of 2-3 mm at 30 mm/s is usually sufficient.
  • Retraction for Nylon: Since Nylon is very flexible, you should reduce retraction even further to ensure the filament flows evenly.

4. Avoid cooling and drafts

Unlike PLA, cooling is not always necessary for high-temperature resistant materials like ABS or Nylon. In many cases, it is even better to reduce or completely turn off cooling.

a. Cooling for ABS and Polycarbonate

  • ABS and polycarbonate tend to warp if they cool too quickly. Therefore, use no or minimal cooling. A fan speed of 0-20% is enough to shape smaller details without cooling the layers too fast.
  • Enclosed build chamber: If possible, use an enclosed build chamber or build a print enclosure around the printer to avoid drafts. These prevent the printing environment from cooling down, which reduces warping.

b. Cooling for PETG and Nylon

  • PETG requires moderate cooling to prevent warping. A fan speed of 30-50% is optimal.
  • Nylon should be printed without cooling, as it is very hygroscopic and sensitive to temperature fluctuations. No cooling helps maximize layer adhesion.

5. Filament storage and care

High-temperature resistant materials are often hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air, which affects print quality.

a. Store filament dry

  • Use a dry box or an airtight container with desiccants to keep moisture away from the filament.
  • ABS and Nylon are especially prone to absorbing moisture. Moist filament can cause bubbling and poor extrusion.

b. Drying filament

  • If your filament has absorbed moisture, you can dry it in a filament dryer or an oven at low temperature (about 50-70°C for ABS) to make it usable again.

6. Test prints and fine-tuning

Before larger projects, be sure to perform test prints to validate your settings and ensure everything works correctly.

a. Calibration cube

Print a simple calibration cube to check dimensions, layer adhesion, and print quality.

b. First layer test print

A first layer test print is especially helpful to ensure that the filament adheres properly and the print bed is correctly leveled. Make sure the lines of the first layer are clean and even.

Conclusion

Printing with high-temperature resistant materials like ABS, PETG, Nylon, and Polycarbonate requires careful tuning of temperatures, cooling, speed, and print bed settings. However, with the right adjustments, you can achieve excellent print results and benefit from the robust properties of these materials. Make sure your Creality K1 Max is designed for high temperatures and adjust the settings gradually to achieve optimal printing conditions.