HIPS filament: what it is and what it is used for

What HIPS is

HIPS is polystyrene improved with a rubber component that makes it tougher. It prints at similar temperatures to ABS, its typical partner. On its own it is cheap, light and prints well, but it also warps and gives off a smell.

Its main advantage: it dissolves in limonene, which does not dissolve ABS. That is why it is used as a support for ABS on printers with two nozzles or a filament changer.

Why you do not normally use it

• It needs an enclosed chamber and higher temperatures.
• Limonene is a solvent that has to be used with ventilation.
• It is not suited to PLA and PETG, which have other support materials.

HIPS and our range

We do not print HIPS. We offer only PLA (€8 per kg) and PETG (€9 per kg), which is the material share of the price. We do not print ABS either, so HIPS supports have no use with us. We generate supports from the same material and they are included in the price.

If you need a part with large overhangs, adjust the model: reduce the overhang angle, split it or turn it. See overhang. It makes sense for the price too, because fewer supports mean less material and time.

What to do instead of a second material

Instead of supports in another material, adjusting the model helps. Put a chamfer under the overhang (chamfer): a surface under 45 degrees needs no supports at all. Or split the model into two parts that you glue together after printing.

For a model with many overhangs, open it in your own slicer and see what would be supported. The difference in price between a model with and without supports can be noticeable.