HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)
Frequently asked questions
Can HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) be laser cut?
With some limitations: HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) can be laser cut. Adequate extraction/ventilation is required.
Can HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) be CNC machined?
Yes: HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) can be CNC machined.
Can HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) be 3D printed?
Yes, using FDM.
Is HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) food safe?
No, HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) is not considered food safe.
Physical properties
| Density | 1030.0–1060.0 kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 20.0 MPa |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 90.0 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 80.0 µm/m·K |
| Moisture absorption | Low |
Laser processing
Releases styrene in significant quantities during laser cutting or engraving. Styrene is irritating to eyes, nose, and throat and is a suspected carcinogen at prolonged exposures. Forced ventilation to the outside mandatory.
CO₂: Cuttable with CO2 laser with decent results. Tends to form slightly melted edges but less carbonized than ABS. Clean, good-quality engraving.
Diode: Not recommended due to styrene fumes. Diode laser engraving is possible but slow and of lower quality than CO2.
Fiber: Not applicable.
CNC / milling processing
Good CNC machinability thanks to a Tg of 90°C. Reasonably clean chips, limited tendency to melt. Less rigid than ABS, so adequate workpiece clamping is needed to avoid vibration.
3D printing
Plotter and thermoforming
Post-processing
Sanding: Easy to sand. The material is softer than ABS and removes easily. Take care not to overheat the surface during mechanical sanding. Grit 120 → 240 → 400.
Primer: mandatory. Filler primer recommended on FDM prints. HIPS can be surface-smoothed with limonene (d-limonene) vapors for a smooth finish, similar to ABS with acetone.
Gluing: Bondable with cyanoacrylate and epoxy adhesives. Soluble in d-limonene (limonene), which is used both for surface finishing and for removing HIPS-printed supports under ABS models.
Over time: Poor UV resistance (like all polystyrene): yellows and becomes brittle rapidly with sun exposure. Not suitable for outdoor applications without UV protective coating.
Common defects
- High warping in FDM printing — requires heated enclosure and heated bed
- Impact brittleness despite the name ('high impact' is relative to standard PS)
- Styrene fumes during all hot operations
- Rapid UV yellowing without protection
Safety
Recommended PPE: mask_p2, gloves
Styrene fumes released during FDM printing are irritating and potentially harmful with prolonged exposure. Do not use in enclosed spaces without ventilation. D-limonene used for solvation is a skin irritant: wear gloves.
Availability and formats
Commercial formats: filament 1.75mm, filament 2.85mm, thermoformed sheets
Related materials
Sources
- ISO 2897 — High-impact polystyrene (PS-HI) moulding materials
- Datasheet tecnici BASF Polystyrol 476L (HIPS)
Information on compatibility, processing parameters and safety is purely indicative. MakerSpecs accepts no liability for damage to persons or property arising from the use of this data. Always check the safety rules and the manufacturer's official manuals before carrying out any processing.