Filament Guide
HIPS Filament Guide
The dissolvable sidekick for ABS. Also a decent standalone material.
Last updated: March 2026
HIPS
High Impact Polystyrene
The dissolvable sidekick for ABS. Also a decent standalone material.
Intermediate
Niche
HIPS is primarily known in 3D printing as a soluble support material for ABS. It prints at similar temperatures, bonds well enough to ABS to support overhangs, and dissolves completely in d-limonene - a citrus-derived solvent that smells like oranges.[1] For dual-extruder ABS printers, it's the go-to support material.
What's often overlooked is that HIPS is also a perfectly usable standalone filament. It's lighter than ABS, has a clean matte surface finish, paints and glues easily, and is very affordable.[1] It was widely used in injection molding for decades (disposable cups, packaging, model kits) before finding its niche in 3D printing.
The main limitation as a primary material is lower strength and impact resistance compared to ABS or PETG. It's fine for display models, prototypes, and non-structural parts, but not the right choice for anything that takes mechanical load.
Chemistry
Polystyrene toughened with polybutadiene rubber particles (~5-15%)
Print Temp
Dissolves In
d-Limonene - citrus solvent, soak for 6-24 hours
Primary Use
Soluble support material for ABS on dual-extruder printers
Density
~1.04 g/cm³ - lighter than ABS (1.07) and most other filaments
Surface Finish
Clean matte - paints well, sands easily, accepts glue
Pros
- Dissolves cleanly in d-limonene for perfect support removal
- Prints at same temps as ABS - no second hotend temp needed
- Lightweight - among the lightest printable filaments
- Excellent paint adhesion and post-processing
- Very affordable
- Matte finish hides layer lines well
Cons
- Weaker than ABS, PETG, and most engineering materials
- d-Limonene is expensive and slow-acting (hours of soaking)
- Warps similarly to ABS - enclosure recommended
- Emits styrene fumes - ventilation needed
- UV degradation - not suitable for outdoor use
- Requires dual extruder to use as support material
Best Used For
Dissolvable ABS supports
Architectural models
Display props
Prototypes for painting
Lost-casting patterns
Lightweight mockups
Niche Tips
Warm the d-limonene. Dissolution speed roughly doubles for every 10°C increase in solvent temperature. A heated ultrasonic cleaner with d-limonene at 40-50°C dissolves HIPS supports in 2-4 hours instead of 12-24.
Reuse your limonene. The solvent doesn't get consumed - it saturates with dissolved polystyrene over time. Filter it through a coffee filter and it works for many batches before needing replacement.
Standalone use case: HIPS is excellent for cosplay props and display models - it's lighter than ABS, sands and primes beautifully, and superglue bonds it strongly. It's the modelmaker's filament.
Store d-limonene in a sealed glass or HDPE container. It dissolves many plastics (including polystyrene - that's the point) and degrades rubber seals, so keep it away from non-compatible containers.
Storage & Humidity
Target: below 30% RH. HIPS is moderately hygroscopic. Wet HIPS produces poor surface quality and weaker layer bonds. Keep sealed with desiccant when not in use.
Drying: 60-70°C for 4-6 hours. Similar to ABS - the polystyrene base tolerates drying temperatures well above what would damage PLA spools.
Bed Adhesion
Best surfaces: PEI (smooth or textured), glass with ABS slurry or glue stick. HIPS behaves very similarly to ABS on the build plate - if your ABS bed setup works, HIPS will too.
Recommended bed temp: 90-110°C. Use a brim for larger parts. An enclosure reduces warping significantly - HIPS warps for the same reasons ABS does (styrene-based polymer, similar shrinkage).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HIPS filament used for?
HIPS is primarily used as a dissolvable support material for ABS prints. It dissolves in limonene (d-Limonene), leaving clean support-free surfaces. HIPS can also be used as a standalone printing material - it prints similarly to ABS with slightly less warping and is easy to sand and paint.
How do you dissolve HIPS?
Submerge the print in d-Limonene (food-grade citrus solvent, widely available online). HIPS dissolves in 6-24 hours depending on part size and limonene concentration. Use a sealed container in a well-ventilated area. Light agitation or a heated ultrasonic bath speeds up the process. The limonene can be reused until saturated.
Can HIPS be used as a main printing material?
Yes. HIPS prints very similarly to ABS but with slightly less warping and better dimensional stability. It is lightweight, easy to sand, and takes paint well. The main downsides as a primary material are lower impact resistance compared to ABS and limited color availability, since most manufacturers focus on HIPS as a support material.
References
- Prusa Knowledge Base — HIPS. help.prusa3d.com
- Bambu Lab Wiki — Filament Guide. wiki.bambulab.com