Can you mix pla filament and abs filament?
PLA filament and ABS filament
No — it damages something or fails
They will not bond to each other, and they want different temperatures.
What actually happens
PLA prints around 200 °C and ABS around 240 °C, so a multi-material print has to compromise on a temperature that suits neither. More fundamentally the two do not adhere: a layer boundary between them is a clean split. ABS also shrinks substantially as it cools and PLA barely does, so a part made of both warps itself apart even where it did bond.
What to do instead
Use one material per part, or a pairing designed to work together — PLA with PVA or with a soluble support material.
Paint, glue and materials
| Combination | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Water-based paint and oil-based paint underneath | Do not | Not directly. It will look fine and peel off in sheets later. |
| Superglue and baking soda | Fine | Yes, and it is a genuinely useful trick — but it gets hot. |
| Expanding foam and water | Fine | Yes — polyurethane foam needs moisture to cure, and misting the gap helps. |
Common questions
- Can you mix pla filament and abs filament?
- No — it damages something or fails. They will not bond to each other, and they want different temperatures.
- What happens if you do?
- PLA prints around 200 °C and ABS around 240 °C, so a multi-material print has to compromise on a temperature that suits neither. More fundamentally the two do not adhere: a layer boundary between them is a clean split. ABS also shrinks substantially as it cools and PLA barely does, so a part made of both warps itself apart even where it did bond.
- What should I do instead?
- Use one material per part, or a pairing designed to work together — PLA with PVA or with a soluble support material.
Related pages
- Water-based paint and oil-based paint underneath No — it damages something or fails
- Superglue and baking soda Yes, this is fine
- Expanding foam and water Yes, this is fine
- Bleach and ammonia Also produces a toxic gas
- Bleach and vinegar Also produces a toxic gas
- Bleach and toilet cleaner Also produces a toxic gas
- Bleach and rubbing alcohol Also produces a toxic gas
- Hazard symbols What the pictogram on the bottle actually requires
Sources
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place