3D printing is an exciting technology rapidly increasing in popularity and affordability. One of those seemingly endless possibilities includes choosing suitable 3D printing filaments.
But what are the different types of 3D printer filaments? When should you use them? Each type of filament has unique properties, and choosing the suitable filament can make a big difference in the quality of your prints.
This page is for people who are completely new to FDM 3D printing technology or want additional information on 3D printing technology.
Please check out their technical datasheet for more technical properties on your filaments.
If you are just getting started with 3D printing, then PLA (Polylactic Acid) the filament is the best choice. PLA is usually the first filament used by beginners in 3D printing, as it is expected to have relatively predictable results. But PLA isn’t only for beginners.
Many manufacturers and designers use it for prototyping and tooling. PLA is the default filament of choice for most extrusion-based 3D printers because it can be printed at a low temperature and does not require a heated bed.
It is also one of the most environmentally friendly filaments on the market today. Derived from crops such as corn and sugarcane, PLA is renewable and biodegradable. As a bonus, this also gives the plastic a sweet aroma during printing.
Most PLA filaments don't suffer from moisture absorption, but it is still recommended to keep the filaments away from humid environments.
In summary, for beginner 3D printing, switching to other types of material is not recommended until you are confident with PLA.
Strength: Medium | Flexibility: Low | Durability: Medium
Difficulty to use: Low
Print temperature: 190 – 230°C
Print bed temperature: 35 – 45°C (Different types of PLA and heatbed materials will affect this temperature)
Shrinkage/warping: Minimal
Soluble: No
Food safety: Refer to manufacturer guidelines
Pros: Easy to print, wide variety of colors/styles, biodegradable
Cons: Brittle, lackluster mechanical properties
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is less popular than PLA for everyday 3D printing. Concerning its material properties, though, ABS is moderately superior to PLA, despite being slightly more challenging to print – it’s prone to warping without a hot print bed and bed adhesive.
ABS is not very hygroscopic, but it can still benefit from keeping it insulated from moisture.
In other words, playing with ABS requires more skill and knowledge to complete good-quality printing than PLA.
Strength: High | Flexibility: Medium | Durability: High
Difficulty to use: Medium
Print temperature: 220 – 250°C
Print bed temperature: 80 – 100°C
Shrinkage/warping: Considerable
Soluble: In esters, ketones, and acetone
Food safety: Not food safe
Pros: High strength, high durability, resistance to high temperatures
Cons: Warps easily, hazardous fumes, requires a high-temperature print nozzle
PETG is another great filament for beginners. It is also easy to print but displays properties similar to ABS, a more mid-level material. It has the heat-resistant properties of ABS without toxic fumes and can be sanded much like PLA.
Most FDM printers that can print PLA can print PETG, though it takes a little more effort to get right, especially the filament care.
It's important to keep the PETG away from moisture, as it can absorb moisture and give lower print quality
Strength: High | Flexibility: Medium | Durability: High
Difficulty to use: Medium
Print temperature: 220 – 250°C
Print bed temperature: 50 – 80°C
Shrinkage/warping: Minimal
Soluble: No
Food safety: Refer to manufacturer guidelines
Pros: Flexible, durable, easy to print
Cons: Susceptible to moisture, surface scratches easily
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing your printer filament is the final application of your print. As you can imagine, we’ve only just scratched the surface regarding the considerations for 3D printing materials. The 3D printing material you choose will be dependent on several different qualifications. The more you work with 3D printing, the more you will be able to experiment and test out what works best for you and your prints. Last but not least, all filaments absorb moisture from the air, which hurts the printability of the material, so make sure to store the 3D printer filament in a cool, dry place and, if necessary, dry it before use.