HIPS filament for 3D printer

Properties of HIPS filament:

• High-detailed models printed
• Impact resistance 
• Soluble in D-Limonene
• Resistant to alkalis, acids and oils
• Easy post-processing

HIPS is often used as a support material in dual extrusion with ABS or PLA. It can also be used to create prototypes, model parts, packaging, and other products where a combination of impact resistance and easy processing is required.

HIPS may produce a slight odor during printing. Therefore, it is recommended to work in a well-ventilated area or using an exhaust system and a respirator!Usage experience:

HIPS has excellent adhesion to PLA and ABS, making it the best choice for printing complex models with supports.
You may experience some shrinkage when printing with HIPS, but usually this is manageable.

Ways to improve print quality:

• To reduce shrinkage and prevent deformation, it is recommended to use a heated platform and  adhesion increasing means.
• Enclosed 3D-printer can help eliminate the effects of external factors such as drafts.
• To improve adhesion to the platform, use special coatings, varnishes, and glue.
• When preparing the model, use "raft" or "skirt".

It is recommended to experiment with settings and print options, during printing with HIPS filament, to obtain the best results based on your specific printer and needs.

The most convenient type of extruder for HIPS filament:
HIPS can be used with almost all types of extruders. However, dual gear extruders are most suitable for printing simultaneously with HIPS as the support material and another plastic as the base material.

Requirements for a 3D printer:

Printing with HIPS filament requires certain characteristics and functions of the 3D printer. Here are some requirements to consider when choosing a printer for HIPS usage:

• Heated bed
  HIPS has a high shrinkage, especially when cooled. Heated platform helps to prevent deformation and ensures good adhesion of the filament to the printer bed.
• High temperature extrusion
  HIPS requires a higher extrusion temperature compared to PLA. The printer must be able to reach needed extruder temperature for printing with HIPS.
• Cooling system
  Although HIPS is used primarily as a material for supports, it can also be used to create individual parts. Therefore, the printer will need an efficient cooling system to control the temperature of the filament during printing.
• Settings support
  HIPS requires different print settings than other materials. The printer must provide the ability to adjust extrusion and bed temperatures, print speeds and other parameters.

Dissolving in D-Limonene:

D-Limonene is an organic solvent that is widely used in industry, including the 3D-printing branch. It is extracted from citrus plants, most commonly from peels of oranges.

One of the unique characteristics of HIPS filament is its dissolving in a chemical solution called D-Limonene. This means that you can use HIPS as support structures during printing with other filaments, such as ABS. After printing, you can dissolve the HIPS supports in D-Limonene, leaving only your base model.

Printing settings for HIPS filament:

1. Bed temperature
   The printing platform/bed is heated to 80-110°C. This will improve the adhesion to the bed and prevent deformation.
2. Nozzle temperature
   It is generally recommended to set the nozzle temperature in the range of 230-250°C. Start with a lower temperature and gradually increase it to find the optimal temperature.
3. Printing speed
   Initially, start with a low or medium speed, for example 30-60 mm/s and increase as necessary.
4. Enclosed printer
   Due to HIPS property to warp as it cools, printing in a closed type printer will help to maintain more stable temperatures inside the print chamber.