3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / Tips and Tricks / Choosing a Good Filament
qidi

Choosing a Good Filament

August 27, 2018

Getting great print results sometimes can be more an art then science. There are however several methods to increase your chances of success and obtaining high quality prints. This filament guide helps you choose the right filament.

Some of the variables you’ll have to work with are the printers themselves, software, filament, setup and last but not least, personal flare. At this point you probably already have a 3D printer or one in mind so we’ll start off with choosing a good 3D printer filament.

Why you should not choose the cheapest filament

With the large selection of filament hitting the market and variety of venders out there it can be hard to find that perfect one that suits you without wasting money and time to find it. I can’t tell you what company to go with, just don’t go too cheap, you will get what you pay for and it’s more times then not, cheap for a reason.

Some of the things you need to be cognizant of when choosing filament is:

  1. Diameter consistency
  2. Moisture
  3. Consistent viscosity and debris

Filament Diameter Consistency

Lets start with filament diameter; 3mm vs 2.85mm vs 1.75mm. I personally feel 1.75mm is superior and here’s why. It’s more common on the market and is a fresher quality plastic. It’s generally newer and rotates out of retailers inventory quicker resulting in newer product to be made and to be replaced on shelves. It seems to have better extruding and retraction and generally a better flow of plastic. Now this make sense since the extruder stepper motor requires more revolutions to extrude the same amount of plastic as 3mm / 2.85mm resulting in higher precision and better control of flow. Regardless of the size you choose the diameter should be consistent and round throughout. Many printers now have spring tensioners in the extruders so small variations in diameter such as -/+.03mm aren’t much of a problem.

Filament Moisture

Another concern is moisture and this is usually due to poor packaging and or stored too long out of packaging. Plastic will absorb moisture from the atmosphere relative to the humidity and duration of exposure. You’ll recognize moisture in the filament if you get splatter and spiting at the hot-end due to water very quickly turning to tiny expanding pockets of steam. Ultimately this leads to poor prints and bad layer adhesion.

Moisture free filament

Certain 3D printing materials such as PLA and Nylon easily absorb moisture from the atmosphere. It is this absorption that can cause problems such as effecting print quality and cause damage to your hot-end through blockage.

  • Hot-End Damage: Moisture absorption causes filament swell. If the swelling is sufficient enough, the plastic will simply block up the nozzle and may cause permanent hot-end damage.
  • Print Quality: During melting of the plastic, the trapped moisture turns into steam and causes some bubbling. It is this bubbling that interferes with the extrusion rate and results in a model that lacks strength and quality… not to mentioning not looking good!
  • Solution: To combat filament moisture absorption and serious damage to your equipment, one inexpensive solution is to buy vacuum bags. Place your filament spool in the bag, throw a couple of silica gel packs and suck all the air out.

You’ll find more tips on how to keep filament moisture free in our filament storage guide.

Filament Impurities

Impurities in the plastic is the biggest issue when choosing filament. Chemical impurities leads to poor melted plastic viscosity and debris will plug up the extruder nozzle. A plugged up nozzle is a big setback! Not only will the print fail costing time and money but it could also means taking the extruder apart and cleaning in out. There seems to be a direct correlation between cheap filament and plugged nozzles. Though you understandably may be trying to save money on filament, cheap filament may inadvertently cost you more money in the end. Typically if you choose a well rated decently priced filament you’ll be ok and save yourself a lot headaches.

Related Story
Filament Storage For 3D Printing: Your How-To Guide
Best 3D Printers 2024
Related Story
Best 3D Printers – Buyers Guide
Related Story
Large Scale 3D Printers Big Enough to Print Furniture
Related Story
Post-Processing FDM 3D Prints
Related Story
How to Get Stronger FDM 3D Prints
Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures

HeyGears demonstrated its Multi-Material Fusion resin 3D printed dentures at LMT LAB DAY Chicago 2025. The technology uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) photopolymerization... read more »

Dental
HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures at Chicago Lab Event

3D Printed Modular Column “Duality of Skin and Core” Featured at Venice Biennale 2025

A 3D printed modular column titled "Duality of Skin and Core" is currently on display at the Venice Biennale 2025 as part of... read more »

Art
3D Printed Modular Column "Duality of Skin and Core" Featured at Venice Biennale 2025

Bentley Unveils EXP 15 Design Concept Featuring 3D Printed Titanium Finishes

Bentley Motors has revealed its EXP 15 concept vehicle at the opening of its new design studio in Crewe. The five-meter concept model... read more »

Automotive
Bentley Unveils EXP 15 Design Concept Featuring 3D Printed Titanium Finishes

COBOD Launches Multifunctional Construction Robot with Shotcrete 3D Printing Capabilities

COBOD International has introduced what it describes as the first commercially available multifunctional construction robot, developed in collaboration with Technische Universität Braunschweig. The... read more »

Construction
COBOD Launches Multifunctional Construction Robot with Shotcrete 3D Printing Capabilities

MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Device for Emergency Diabetes Treatment

MIT researchers have developed an implantable device that can automatically release glucagon when blood sugar levels drop dangerously low in Type 1 diabetes... read more »

Medical
MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Device for Emergency Diabetes Treatment

University of Pennsylvania Researchers Develop Carbon-Capturing Concrete

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created a new type of concrete that captures carbon dioxide while maintaining structural integrity. The material... read more »

Construction

Dutch 3D Printing Startup Novenda Technologies Raises $6.1M for Dental Manufacturing Platform

Dutch startup Novenda Technologies has secured $6.1 million in Series A funding to advance its multi-material 3D printing platform for dental products. The... read more »

Dental

Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Singapore-based startup Unigons has launched a limited collection of 3D-printed Merlion figurines made from recycled plastic bottles. The company produced 60 pieces of... read more »

News
Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing