HIPS Filament: The Underrated Support Material

Jackson B.

The ABS-Compatible Soluble Support

HIPS (High-Impact Polystyrene) occupies a specific niche in the FDM materials ecosystem: it's a dissolvable support material compatible with ABS printing temperatures, filling the role that PVA plays for PLA. When printed as the support material in an IDEX or multi material setup alongside ABS, HIPS supports dissolve cleanly in D-limonene (a citrus-derived solvent) after printing, leaving perfect, scar-free supported surfaces on the ABS model.

HIPS is less commonly discussed than PVA because the ABS high temperature materials category it serves is less popular than the PLA category where PVA excels. However, for makers who regularly print ABS for functional engineering applications and need clean supported surfaces without manual support removal, HIPS is an invaluable material.

Why HIPS and ABS Work Together

The compatibility is primarily thermal. ABS prints at 235–255°C hotend and 100–110°C bed. HIPS prints at a 220–240°C hotend and 90–100°C bed, which is close enough to coexist in the same enclosure environment without either material failing. Contrast this with PVA, which degrades above 60°C hotend temperature, making it catastrophically incompatible with ABS printing environments. The two materials also bond adequately at their interface (the support top surface bonding to the ABS bottom surface) to provide reliable support but not so strongly that they fuse permanently, so the bond breaks cleanly in D-limonene.

D-Limonene: The Solvent

D-limonene is the active solvent ingredient in many citrus based cleaning products. It smells strongly of oranges and lemons, which is considerably more pleasant than acetone or MEK. It's available from speciality chemistry suppliers and some hardware stores. While relatively safer than chlorinated solvents, treat it with appropriate respect: it's flammable, can cause skin irritation with prolonged contact, and should be used in a ventilated area. Submerge the ABS+HIPS print in D-limonene for 2–12 hours depending on support density, in which the HIPS dissolves, leaving the ABS unaffected. Rinse with IPA afterwards to remove solvent residue.

HIPS as a Primary Printing Material

Beyond its role as a support material, HIPS is a perfectly capable standalone printing material. It's tough and lightweight (lighter than ABS) and easy to sand and paint, making it useful for cosplay props, model making, and any application where a light, rigid, paintable plastic is needed. It doesn't have the UV resistance of ASA or the heat resistance of ABS, but as a standalone craft material it has merit. The print settings for this material are identical to those for ABS: an enclosure is recommended, minimal cooling is advised, and a hot bed should be used. See our enclosure guide for the essential setup and our anti-warping guide for applicable techniques.