3D printing has become an increasingly popular method for creating everything from simple household objects to complex mechanical parts. One of the most commonly used filaments in 3D printing is ABS, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. There are many reasons why you should consider using ABS filament in your 3D printing projects, and MatterHackers is an excellent source for high-quality ABS filament.

Blue, white, and gray 3D printer filament spools with astronaut test prints

First, ABS filament is known for its strength and durability. It has a high impact resistance, making it a great choice for parts that will be subjected to a lot of wear and tear. It also has a high heat resistance, so you can use it to print parts that will be used in high temperature environments.

Colorful plastic building blocks piled together

ABS is the material trusted by major plastics manufacturers like LEGO

Another reason to use ABS filament is that it is easy to post-process after printing. ABS is very easy to sand and smooth away layer lines for a clean surface, or could be vapor-smoothed with Acetone for a high-gloss surface. Acetone can also be used as a glue to chemically weld multiple ABS parts together to create a single piece with maximum strength. This makes it a good choice for printing large objects or objects with complex geometries.

Two black 3D printed brackets showing rough and glossy surface finishes

An ABS print before and after being vapor-smoothed

In addition to its strength and ease of use, ABS filament is also a cost-effective material. It is typically less expensive than other filaments, such as PETG or Nylon. This makes it a good choice for large-scale projects or for those on a budget.

Filament spools stacked beneath a drill press in a 3D printing workshop

Here at MatterHackers, you can find a wide range of ABS filaments in different colors and sizes. We offer filaments from trusted brands, such as eSUN, Fillamentum, and Ultimaker, so you can be confident in the quality of the material you are using. If you are not sure where to start, we recommend a spool of MH Build Series ABS since it’s low-cost and reliable for your calibration process. Failed prints happen to everyone, and are totally normal when calibrating a new material and developing a profile, so MH Build keeps these costs to a minimum before moving to PRO Series ABS for maximum precision and Made in the USA quality. We also offer a variety of tools and accessories, such as filament cleaners and extruder nozzles, to help you get the most out of your 3D printing projects.

Red 3D printed robotic arm with claw gripper on a workbench

Overall, ABS filament is a strong, durable, and cost-effective material that is well-suited to a wide range of 3D printing applications. Now that you are ready to order your next or even first spool of ABS filament, we have everything you need right here at MatterHackers for a wide selection of high-quality filaments and accessories.

Please review our other articles are resources to continue your education on succeeding with ABS in your 3D Printing journey: