3D printing filaments

3D printing materials
Image credit: Maurizio Pesce

Description

Thermoplastic feedstock used by fused deposition 3D printers to create a finished product. 3D printing filaments are available in a multitude of compositions and colors. Pigments or other additives are added to the material before it is melted to create colored filament or filament with special properties, e.g. increased strength or magnetic properties.

Comparison Table

Filament Type	Pros	Cons	Common Applications
PLA (Polylactic Acid)	Easy to print, low temperature, good surface finish, low odor, biodegradable	Brittle, low heat resistance, can warp	Prototyping, decorative objects, toys
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)	Strong, durable, high temperature resistance, good for functional parts	Prone to warping, requires heated bed, strong odor	Functional parts, mechanical parts, enclosures
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)	Easy to print, low odor, good strength and durability, food-safe (select grades)	Can be scratched easily, can absorb moisture	Food containers (select grades), bottles, mechanical parts
Nylon	Very strong and durable, flexible, abrasion resistant, high temp resistance	Absorbs moisture (requires drying), can be difficult to print	Functional parts, gears, bearings, tools
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)	Flexible, elastic, impact resistant, good for flexible parts	Can be difficult to print, requires specific settings	Flexible parts, phone cases, gaskets, seals
PC (Polycarbonate)	Extremely strong and durable, high temperature resistance, impact resistant	Difficult to print, requires high temperature, prone to warping	Functional parts, engineering prototypes, high-strength applications
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)	UV resistant, weather resistant, strong, durable, good for outdoor use	Similar to ABS in printing difficulty, can have strong odor	Outdoor parts, automotive parts, weather-resistant applications
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone)	Extremely high temperature resistance, chemically resistant, very strong	Very expensive, very difficult to print, requires very high temperatures	High-performance applications, aerospace, medical implants
Carbon Fiber Filled	Increased strength and stiffness, lightweight, improved dimensional stability	Can be abrasive (wear on nozzles), more expensive	Structural parts, drones, robotics
Wood Filled	Unique aesthetic, can be sanded and stained, gives a wood-like appearance	Can be brittle, more difficult to print than PLA, can absorb moisture	Decorative objects, models, art projects
Metal filled	Realistic metal feel and weight, can be post-processed (e.g., polishing)	Can be abrasive, more difficult to print, more expensive	Decorative objects, models, tools

Forms and Sizes

• Common types are 1.75mm and 2.85mm