ABS

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a tough, heat-resistant thermoplastic polymer commonly used for functional and industrial parts. For makers and 3D-printers it is valued for its mechanical strength and the ability to be post-processed (for example, acetone vapor smoothing), but it shrinks more on cooling and requires higher printing temperatures, which makes printing more challenging. In practical maker-spaces (like a fablab) ABS is often used rarely because it is prone to warping, generally needs a heated bed and enclosure, and produces fumes that require ventilation.

Imagine you need to print a functional tool mount or a gear that must bear load: you pick ABS because it is stronger and more heat-resistant than PLA. You set the nozzle to about 230–250 °C, the heated bed to 90–110 °C, use an enclosure to reduce temperature swings, add a brim or raft to improve adhesion, and make sure the filament is dry and the workspace ventilated. After printing you can use acetone vapor smoothing to merge layer lines and get a glossy finish — but this requires careful chemical handling and ventilation, which is why many fablabs avoid regular ABS use.