ABS

Plain-English definition

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a tough, impact-resistant thermoplastic — a common “engineering” plastic you will meet in appliance housings, drain fittings, LEGO bricks, and as filament for fused-deposition (FDM) 3D printing. It is a blend of three monomers that together give rigidity, strength, and resilience without feeling brittle.

Why it matters

For DIY, ABS is useful because it is stiff and shock-resistant without being as fragile as acrylic. It can be sawn, drilled, and tapped like many other plastics, and small repairs or joins are sometimes made with acetone (which softens ABS) — always work in a well-ventilated area. In 3D printing, ABS is chosen when parts need more heat tolerance and toughness than PLA, though it tends to warp unless the printer has a heated bed and, ideally, an enclosed build chamber. Printing also produces noticeable fumes, so good airflow matters.

Common mistake

A common mistake is treating ABS like any other plastic — using aggressive wood-style drilling that cracks thin sections, or leaving standard ABS outdoors and expecting it to stay strong (UV light yellows and weakens it over time). For 3D printing, another frequent error is running ABS with PLA-style settings: without enough bed heat and stable temperature, layers lift and the print warps.