ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is one of the most common filaments used in 3D printing. Its high heat resistance and strength make it a popular filament for prototypes and other objects that require durability. Furthermore, its ease of use relative to other strong materials, such as polycarbonate, makes it a great place to start for many 3D printing enthusiasts.
But what does it mean when “pro” is added to its name?
3D printing filament manufacturers have started using this designation to indicate top-performing ABS. There are no official measurements or standards through which ABS becomes designated pro, but cmopanies are using that label to advertise filaments that take the good qualities of ABS to new levels.
ABS pro filament has several characteristics that make it an improvement over original ABS. Here are the details on how ABS pro lives up to its name:
Note that, the above are simply characteristics that have been observed in products marketed as ABS pro. Because there are no official requirements for an ABS filament to be “pro”, not all of the above might be present in a particular product.
For all the upsides of ABS pro filament, it’s not a cure-all for your 3D printing woes. Its enhanced characteristics come with a few compromises that affect the printing process and final object:
Taking all these factors into account, ABS pro is the perfect filament for projects that require high strength and fine details:
Just as a reminder, “pro” is not an official designation for ABS filaments, so there’s no standard performance measurements you can rely on when you see that label. Still, many manufacturers are taking the general concept of enhanced ABS and marketing them as ABS pro. Check each sales listing for specifics on layer height, tensile strength, and temperature needs. Here are a few of our top picks, in case you’re in a hurry:
ABS pro filament is a great step up from standard ABS. Its enhancements go a long way towards fixing common issues like warping, shrinkage, and brittleness. If you’re in the market for a 3D printing filament that keeps your objects strong and impact-resistant, check out ABS pro!
Feature image source: Markforged