

The 3D printing of complex geometries and structures with the FDM technology requires the use of support structures to achieve certain angles and features. There are many types of support filaments on the market, including HIPS support filament like the Ultrafuse HIPS. It is a high-quality engineering thermoplastic with good impact resistance (as the name "high impact polystyrene" suggests), good dimensional stability, scratch-resistance, heat resistance and easy post-processing (e.g., with sandpaper).
HiPS is the ideal as a support material for ABS and it is mostly used as that. This is due to the fact that ABS and HIPS have quite similar mechanical properties (HIPS being slightly lighter and more dimensionally stable), and that HIPS displays high solubility in comparison to many other materials. This makes it a great support material and allows for a quick and easy removal of the support structures. Moreover, HIPS requires chemicals to be dissolved (e.g. D-Limonene), and materials other than ABS tend to be too sensitive to those chemicals and get damaged.
The Ultrafuse HIPS soluble support material is manufactured in strict conditions to ensure the highest quality and consistency of the filament. When used with ABS filament as a support material, Ultrafuse HIPS will help achieve complex geometries and structures at a fairly low cost, while leaving the main part free of support removal marks.
General information |
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Material | HiPS |
Format | 750 g |
Density | 1.02 g/cm³ |
Filament diameter | 1.75 / 2.85 mm |
Filament tolerance | - mm |
Filament length | (Ø1.75 mm, 0.75 kg) ±305.7 m / (Ø2.85 mm, 0.75 kg) ±115.3 m |
Printing properties |
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Printing temperature | 240 - 260 ºC |
Print bed temperature | 100 - 120 ºC |
Chamber temperature | - |
Cooling fan | - |
Recommended printing speed | 40 - 80 mm/s |
Mechanical properties |
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Elongation at break | 1.4 % |
Tensile strength | 18.4 MPa |
Tensile modulus | 1588 MPa |
Flexural strength | 31.8 MPa |
Flexural modulus | 1635 MPa |
Surface hardness | - |
Impact strength | 7.1 KJ/m² |
Thermal properties |
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Softening temperature | 91 ºC |
Specific properties |
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Transparency | - |
Other |
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HS Code | 3916.9 |
Spool diameter (outer) | - mm |
Spool diameter (inner hole) | - mm |
Spool width | - mm |
The Ultrafuse HIPS filament requires a printing temperature of 240-260 ºC and a printing speed of 40-80 mm/s. Using HIPS requires a 3D printer with a heated bed (100-120 ºC) and ideally a closed heated chamber in order to avoid warping and deformations. Another requirement for 3D printing with HIPS as a support filament is a 3D printer with two extruders. It is also recommended to properly ventilate the printing space, as HIPS tends to emit fumes while extruded. Breathing equipment and an external ventilation device are a great solution if the user’s 3D printer does not have inbuilt ventilation.
In order to improve adhesion to the build plate, adhesion products such as Magigoo, 3DLac Stick, Kapton Tape or PET sheets can be used. The ideal printing surface for Ultrafuse HIPS is a glass surface.
Ultrafuse HiPS filament should be stored at 15-25°C in its originally sealed package (with a filament drying capsule for even better results) or an intelligent filament container, in a clean and dry environment before and after printing. During printing the Ultrafuse HIPS filament can be stored in a filament drying case by Fiber Three. If the recommended storage conditions are observed the products will have a minimum shelf life of 12 months. Should the Ultrafuse HIPS filament absorb too much moisture, it should be dried in an air dryer or a vacuum oven for 4-16 hours at 60 ºC.
As far as removing the support structures 3D printed with the Ultrafuse HIPS filament, the printed part should first be cooled down completely. Next, it is recommended to first manually remove the biggest parts of the support structure in order to avoid excessive cost related to using a lot of solving agents. Next, the part with the remaining support structures should be submerged in a solvent, e.g. D-Limonene to finish the support removal process. The user should always protect the eyes, hands and the respiratory tract when handling solving agents to avoid irritation.