3D printer filament guide

In 30 seconds

• PLA is the easiest to print; ABS copes better with heat and needs ventilation.
• PETG brings much of PLA's ease of printing together with some of the toughness of ABS.
• Choose by what the part has to do, what your printer can handle and what it costs.

In this article

1. Key takeaways
2. Types of 3D printer filament
3. How to choose the right filament
4. Technical properties of filaments
5. Trends and innovations in 3D printing filament
6. Conclusion
7. Frequently asked questions

The filament you choose has a direct effect on the quality of a printed part and on whether it does its job. This guide covers the main filament types, how to pick the right one for a part, the technical properties worth comparing and where filament materials are heading.

Key takeaways

• PLA is the easiest place to start: it prints without much fuss and is made from renewable sources.
• ABS is tougher and better suited to parts that have to cope with higher temperatures.
• PETG sits between the two, with much of PLA’s ease and some of the strength of ABS, so it fits a wide range of parts.

Types of 3D printer filament

Getting the filament right is half the job in 3D printing. There are many filaments, each with its own behaviour and typical uses. These are the main ones.

PLA: characteristics and uses

PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the most popular filaments. It’s made from renewable raw materials and is easy to print. Its main characteristics:

• Renewable origin: it’s often sold as biodegradable, but it only breaks down under industrial composting conditions, so don’t count on it disappearing on its own.
• Low shrinkage, which helps with large parts.
• Strong colours, for parts that need a coloured finish.

ABS: pros and cons

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is widely used in industry. Its advantages:

• Heat resistance: it copes with higher temperatures.
• Durability: good for parts that have to take wear.
• Easy finishing: it can be sanded and painted.

On the downside, ABS can give off fumes while it prints, so it needs proper ventilation.

PETG: when to use it

PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) combines useful traits of PLA and ABS. It’s tough and easy to print, and works well for:

• parts that need chemical resistance;
• parts that need some flex;
• prints that need a glossy finish.

Flexible filaments and their uses

Flexible filaments such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) are the choice for parts that need elasticity. Typical uses:

• seals;
• parts that have to bend or move.

How to choose the right filament

The right filament is what makes the part come out as intended. A few pointers.

What the part has to do

• Where will it be used? Indoors and outdoors are different jobs.
• Will it take wear? Then choose a more durable filament.
• Does it need to flex? Then go for a flexible filament such as TPU.

Printer compatibility

• Check that the printer supports the filament you’ve chosen.
• Look at the print temperature and whether a heated bed is needed.
• Read the printer’s manual to confirm compatibility.

Tips if you’re new to 3D printing

• Start with easier filaments such as PLA.
• Test on small parts before larger jobs.
• Keep the printer clean and calibrated.

Technical properties of filaments

A filament’s technical properties decide how a printed part performs and where it can be used. The printers themselves are covered in the industrial 3D printer guide; here the focus is on what the material brings.

Mechanical and thermal resistance

• Mechanical resistance: how much force the material takes before it breaks.
• Thermal resistance: how much heat it takes before it deforms.

Flexibility and stiffness

• Flexibility: how far the material bends without breaking.
• Stiffness: how well it resists deforming under load.
• Examples:
  • flexible filaments suit parts that need elasticity, such as seals;
  • stiff filaments suit structures that need stability and strength.

Finish and appearance

• The surface you get depends on the filament. For example:
  • PLA: smooth and glossy.
  • ABS: rougher, but easy to sand.

Comparing performance

• When you compare filaments, look at:
  • cost: filament prices vary a lot;
  • ease of printing: some are much easier to work with than others;
  • the job: each filament has its best uses, such as prototypes or end-use parts.

Trends and innovations in 3D printing filament

New materials

New materials keep widening what can be printed. Some of the more notable:

• renewable-source filaments such as PLA;
• composite filaments, which mix plastics with natural or synthetic fibres for extra strength;
• higher-temperature filaments such as nylon and ASA, for parts that see more heat.

Sustainability and greener filaments

Concern for the environment has pushed filament makers towards more sustainable options, including:

• recycled filaments, made from recycled plastic to cut waste;
• biodegradable filaments, which break down after use under the right conditions;
• production processes that use less energy and fewer resources.

Advances in 3D printing technology

The printers are changing too. Two shifts matter for anyone choosing a material:

• multi-material printers, which can print a part with different properties in a single job;
• faster printing, which makes the whole process more efficient.

What this means for industry

These changes already show up in how companies make parts:

• lower costs, with parts made on demand instead of held in stock;
• customisation at scale, with products adapted to each customer;
• less waste, with quicker production runs.

If you have a part in mind and want to know which material makes sense for it, ask for a quote.

Conclusion

The right filament is what gets a part to come out the way you need it. Each type has its own balance of strength, flexibility and appearance. Start from what the part has to do, check what your printer can handle and weigh the budget, and the choice gets much easier. A good material makes a visible difference, so compare your options and buy filament you can rely on.

Frequently asked questions