Materials are one of the new frontiers in desktop 3D printing technology. In the rapidly developing 3D printing market, HIPS, or High Impact Polystyrene, is becoming one of the most widely used filaments. With similar properties to ABS and PLA plastics, HIPS is easy to use and relatively inexpensive (nearly half the price of ABS or PLA). Yet HIPS filament has several unique qualities that set it apart from ABS and other filaments.
The most practical characteristic of HIPS is its ability to be sanded, glued, primed and painted with acrylic paints once the print is completed. For anyone printing scale-models, miniatures, and even cosplay items, this is a outstanding feature of an inexpensive material. HIPS is also very light-weight, making it even more ideal for wearable objects. Wearing printed parts for your favorite character is easier than ever without the added weight.
A unique characteristic of HIPS for more advanced LulzBot users is that the material can completely dissolve in Limonene, a colorless liquid hydrocarbon. This quality alone makes HIPS filament a great choice for support material on ABS prints, as ABS is not affected by Limonene, and will remain in tact. This allows makers more flexibility in what they can print, knowing that Limonene removes all traces of HIPS, and the strength and integrity of their ABS print will not be affected. With this in mind, makers can print objects with complex internal structures, drastic overhanging faces, and a higher level of detail on all sides of the object.
With over ten colors of HIPS filament available in the LulzBot online store , the possibilities are seemingly endless. You'll have the option to choose from different shades of green, blue, silver and more to help create the perfect 3D print for your project. Each color of HIPS filament has been tested by Aleph Objects, Inc. (makers of LulzBot 3D printers), with our default Slic3r configurations to ensure you will create the best print possible with our filament. To learn more about printing with HIPS and its applications, visit LulzBot.com and check out our forum to see what other users and makers are printing.