What 3D Printing Materials Can And Should You Use?
There is a wide range of materials each with their own features, strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes it is hard to choose the most suitable material with your project in mind. This page is an overview of the most common materials that can be used on desktop 3D printers. For each material, we listed the features, pro’s and con’s so it can help you with choosing the right material. Look at our side menu for a quick overview of what materials we have listed and if there is a specific material that you would like to know more about but is missing from the list, let us know!
ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is an petroleum-based polymer. It is very resistant to high temperature which makes this material perfect for real-world components. It is a pretty cheap material allowing for cost effective prototyping. ABS is the go-to material for most 3D printers. Along with PLA, it is the most common material used for desktop 3D printing.
Features
ABS is available in a large array of colours which makes it popular among makers. Even the colorless ABS 3D printed object can be painted to any color. The material is mechanically strong, so you don’t have to worry about the lifespan of your model.
If you’re using ABS it is advised to print at 220° and 250°centigrade. To avoid bending and warping you will want to print with ABS on a heated bed (from 50° to 100°C) to ensure gradual cooling of the material. ABS gets a shiny, glossy look when processed with acetone vapour as this solution has the property to melt the upper layer of the printed object, making it smooth and shiny.
The biggest downfall of ABS is that it is a nonbiodegradable toxic material that releases toxic fumes at high temperatures and smells awful.
Pros
- Cheap
- Highly Available with a large variety of colours
- Applicable to just about any printerWarping
- Mechanically strong
- Longer lifespan
Cons
- Toxic
- Requires heated bed
- Warping
- Not suitable for use with food
PLA
Made from renewable resources, Polylactic Acid is green 3d printing material. It has a moderate price point on the market and has various desirable properties and technical specifications which makes it the perfect 3D printer filamentfor hobbyists.
Features
PLA’s general print temperature is between 180° and 220°. It is a slightly flexible material, but it generates a smoother outer shell of the printed object. Due to the fact that it is made of corn starch, PLA is not toxic and releases a pleasant sweet smell. PLA is preferred for 3D printing smaller objects.
This material is generally considered easier to print than most other materials, however, the postprint processing of PLA objects is much more difficult than those printed in ABS. PLA is available in a wide variety of blends such as wood, bamboo (mixing the standard plastic with fibers), copper, bronze (powder mix), and glowing effect (phosphorescent pigment).
Pros
- Easy to print
- Easily available in a variety of colours
- Can be printed on a cold surface
- High speed printing
- Low warping
Cons
- Not very sturdy
- Can deform when exposed to heat
- Difficult to post-process
Nylon
Nylon is a strong and durable synthetic polymer with a translucent silky finish, also called white plastic. It is also sold for a moderate price which makes it widely used for the production of household items. Want to get started with printing Nylon? Check out our in-depth article here.
Features
Nylon is a flexible material, with a natural white color, but it can be painted in any color with an acidbased dye. With nylon you can print moving parts, making it ideal for hobbyists. Although nylon prints have a somewhat rough surface, it can be smoothed out. It is recommended, however to avoid nylon for printing small elements as the smoothing procedure can damage them. Taulman 618, Taulman 645, and Bridge Nylon are the most popular types of material for 3D printing. Taulman 3D printing materials are known to have high interlayer bonding, ensuring great durability and resistance of the printed model.
Just like PLA and ABS, Nylon material absorbs moisture from the air. This fact affects the quality of the print. Also, the moisture that gets absorbed by the material is the one to blame for the fumes released during printing. To avoid this, it is advised to store Nylon in airtight containers.
Pros
- High durability
- Flexible yet strong
- Easily dyed by leaving it soaked
- Produces smooth prints
- UV and chemical resistance
Cons
- Constantly meant to be kept dry in moisture free containers
- Printer suitability varies
- May require alterations to printers just to use
- Can expire
- Nylon sometimes shrinks during prints, and thus results can be imprecise
ULTEM
ULTEM is a subclass of Polyetheremide materials, like PEEK. Natural ULTEM 1,000 has an amber hue. ULTEM gains a large amount of strength in combination with glass fiber reinforcement, making it one of the strongest materials among 3D printing thermoplastics. ULTEM has been used by various companies to replace previously metal parts. This is because the strength is high enough to have applications in aerospace and missile manufacturing (though it is not used ubiquitously in these fields).
Applicable Technologies
- FDM/FFF
Features
ULTEM has very high durability at room temperature and mechanical strength. Even though it is a thermoplastic, it requires a very high temperature to melt making it less common than PLA, ABS and Nylon. ULTEM also has interesting chemical properties.
Glass reinforcement comes in a variety of ranges giving it very varying properties based on the proportions. ULTEM is also the only brand of PEI available on the consumer market.
Pros
- ULTEM has a high specific strength comparable to aluminum
- Great heat resistance and flame resistance with low smoke evolution
- Excellent machinability
- Resistant to environmental forces
- Absorbs minimal moisture
- Various composites like carbon-fiber are also available
Cons
- Requires high temperature to print
- Costlier than most thermoplastics
- Requires better
- Print chamber requires stable heating and even temperature distribution
Polypropylene (PP)
PP or polypropylene is a plastic used for many different purposes such as textiles, ropes and stationery. It is also resistant to multiple chemicals and solvents. PP is one of the most cost-efficient materials. The most common shaping technique for producing PP is injection molding. It ranks as one of the most coveted materials in the world.
Applicable Technologies
- FDM/FFF
Features
Polypropylene can be strengthened by copolymerising it with ethylene. It can be used as an engineering material. It is also resistant to fats and almost all organic solvents at room temperature. PP can be dissolved in nonpolarity solvents such as xylene, tetralin and decalin.
It is very stiff and strong, and is thus used heavily for ropes and small components. Another great aspect of polypropylene is that since it is so widely used, it can be easily recycled for new filament. While it can be comparatively expensive, it’s recyclability makes it a bit more cost-effective.
However, PP does have it’s downsides. While it retains colour during heating, it has low solubility when it comes to dyes. Because of its excellent electrical insulating properties, polypropylene has a tendency to retain static charges caused by processing and handling. This condition also attracts dirt to the polymer surface.
Pros
- Recyclable
- Resistant to many solvents
- Does not require complex heating apparatus
- Stiff and strong
- Colour retention
- Resistant to bacterial growth
Cons
- Impacted by UV
- Expensive (more so than PE)
- Heavy warping
- Difficult to print (very few printers currently manage it)
Buy Polypropylene (PP) filament on Amazon
Acrylic/Resin
Acrylic covers a wide array of plastic materials with multiple functions. However, there is a certain class of acrylic that can be printed with DLP or SLA technology. Acrylic based UV reactive resins are not as common as other thermoplastics.
Acrylic is also known as plexiglass. The material can be used for a lot of applications and is widely available. It often serves as a lighter alternative to glass. It is shatter resistant and embodies range of durability (from flexible to hard) depending on the version of plexiglass being used.
Applicable Technologies
- DLP
- SLA
- LED
Features
Acylic covers a broad range of wavelengths. It is suitable for laser, DLP and LED systems. Ultra short exposure time which means quicker printing. It has a very low level of shrinkage. Its qualities and attribute vary wildly. You have hard, soft and castable types. This material is known for a high chemical resistance
Resins also comes in a range of colours. It is generally non-toxic, making it ideal for desktop printing. Since it is such a versatile substance, it has a divers range of applications.
Pros
- Many applications
- Suitable for multiple UV or LED based systems
- Low shrinkage
- Allows a wide spectrum of strength and flexibility
- High chemical resistance
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Rarer than most materials
- Expensive
- Heat can cause premature polymerisation
- Needs to be stored safely due to high photo-reactivity
- Can expire
Buy Resin for SLA or DLP on Amazon
ASA
ASA is a production grade thermoplastic that is most commonly associated with FDM/FFF printing. It can be considered an alternative to ABS. Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate was created chemical company BASF in the 1970’s. It has massive strength and resilience.
It is weather resistant, and therefore used in many outdoor appliances. Printing it can require precise temperatures and minimal cooling on the fan. It also needs a controlled printing area, so ensure that you have some form of closed chamber to prevent alteration caused by air flow.
Applicable Technologies
- FDM/FFF
Features
Since it is strong, heavily resistant to environmental factors and UV, ASA is considered useful for creating objects for the outdoors. It is also used to manufacture plastic components one would find in cars. ASA generally melts at the same temperature as ABS but is much rougher on the printer’s hardware. For this reason, it isn’t quite as common.
It has less shrinkage and can be molded into complex shapes. It is less prone to turning yellow while left in the sun. On the downside, ASA can crack if it is cooled too quickly. This means turning your cooling systems to a lower temperature.
Pros
- More durable than ABS
- Heat resistant
- UV resistant
- Less wear and tear over time
- Minimised shrinkage
Cons
- More expensive than standard thermoplastics
- Less availability of filaments
- Only certain printers can process it
- Requires more precision with cooling
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that is also known distributed under the trade name Lexan. It is generally lightweight and transparent. It is often used in industries as diverse as CD production, riot gear and sun glasses. Needless to say it has a diverse range of applications.
Polycarbonates are easily thermoformed and molded. This has been one of the reasons it is a staple of so many products as an engineering plastic.
Applicable Technologies
- FDM/FFF
Features
Due to its high heat deflection (heat resistant up to 116 °C) PC is incredibly useful for high temperature applications such as the inside the hood of a car. It also has a great flexibility and snaps right back into its original shape when bent or twisted. It can be as transparent as glass while possessing half its density. Yet, it has a density and tensile strength higher than both PLA and ABS. PC is ideal for anyone looking to produce a strong yet flexible transparent print.
It is also soluble in dichloromethane, it melts at temperatures of 260 – 300 °C and it will also require a heated bed (about 90 °C) to produce the best results. In general the closer to 300 °C, the better the print quality you can get (although, its transition temperature is quite good, so reaching 300 °C is not an absolute necessity).
Pros
- Flexible and durable
- High tensile strength
- Not extremely difficult to print
- Transparent
- Diverse applications
- Standard melting temperature
Cons
- Necessitates use of heated bed to avoid warping
- Varying levels of filament quality that depend on price
- Environment needs to be kept warm for optimum quality
Buy Polycarbonate (PC) filament on Amazon
PET/PETG
PET and it’s derivative material PETG are one of the most popular materials in the world. Even if you don’t know them by name, you’ve definitely seen them used in plastic bottles, in clothing fiber and in everyday consumer products. PETG is a modified version of PET with notable differences.
Applicable Technologies
FDM/ FFF
Features
PET and PETG are easy to print with, however, they require a very precise temperature environment. This often leads to a lot of experimentation to get the exact parameters right. PETG and PET don’t necessitate a heated bed but it does help. The materials are not soluble in acetone.
The core differences between PET and PETG are durability (PETG has more), reaction to overheating (PET becomes brittle), Impact resistance and the presence of glycol in PETG. Recyclability is a massive advantage of PET and PETG. This can allow for the reuse of failed prints. They are generally transparent.
Pros
- Low warping
- Recyclable
- Easy to print and has good layer adhesion
- Durable
- Can be sterilised
- Good for food and drink containment
Cons
- Requires very accurate temperature conditions to get right
- PET becomes brittle from overheating (though not PETG)
- PETG can be weakened with UV light
- Prone to scratches (more than PLA)
HIPS
HIPS stands for high impact polystyrene. Polystyrene is one of the most common materials in our daily lives. HIPS is a low cost material, with a higher strength level than the standard polystyrene. HIPS is used for various things like plastic signs and thicker containers.
Applicable Technologies
- FDM/ FFF
Features
HIPS can be used as a support material since it can be erased using limonene. HIPS is comparable to ABS in terms of ease of use. The core difference is its ability to dissolve. HIPS undergoes a high level of warping. However, with a well-balanced temperature level, it can produce very smooth layers.
HIPS is very malleable and can be used to make intricate structures. It is best used with a heated bed because it needs a constant temperature. In fact, without a constant flow of heat can cause HIPS to clog up the nozzle and delivery tubes. This means that it can make it difficult to print with 2 nozzle systems. It also has another downside, which is that it produces very strong fumes, so it’s best used in a ventilated area.
Pros
- Very smooth
- Very durable
- Wide range of applications
- Dissolvable and great as a support material
Cons
- Strong fumes
- Constant heat flow
- High level of warping/ can cause clogging in the extruder
PEEK
PEEK is a high strength plastic that requires very high temperatures for printing. It is high grade industrial material that can even substitute certain metals in terms of durability. PEEK has many applications including those in aerospace, oil and the packaging industries.
Applicable Technologies
- FDM/FFF
Features
PEEK is often used for large, solid food containers. It is certified as non-toxic to contact with food, and is thus used in packaging. It has excellent adhesion between layers but not all printers can manage the heat levels necessary to process it. PEEK also has great impact resistance.e
PEEK has a fantastic amount of chemical resistance. This makes it useful for industrial applications like transporting hazardous materials.
Pros
- Very high strength
- Non-toxic
- Rivals metals for functionality of parts
- Great chemical resistanc
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires very high temperature
- Only industrial grade equipment can print it
TPU/FLEX
Thermoplastic Polyurethane is among the more flexible thermoplastic options out there. It is used for multiple different everyday products like phone cases and bendable parts. TPU is actually a blend of various different polymers. It is sometimes referred to as a thermoplastic “rubber” due to its texture and flexibility but both of those are largely dependent upon the type blend of materials in the filament.
Applicable Technologies
- FFF/ FDM
Features
It’s primary advantage is that it can be flexible. Various blends can give it additional characteristics, mostly altering its strength and malleability. It doesn’t necessitate a heated bed but the extruder needs to be very good at maintaining a consistent temperature.
As a flexible material it is far harder to print for certain printers. Bowden extruders may find it difficult to print because it can tangle up due to its elastic-like properties. Thus, direct drive extruders are more desirable as they are far closer to the printhead.
TPU has a decent level of chemical resistance. It can resist oils, greases and a fair variety of chemical solvents. The material is fairly tough against abrasions and bruises. This makes it better for use in functional parts considering.
Pros
- Uniquely flexible
- Range of blends and characteristics
- Resistant to oils, greases and multiple solvents
- Low abrasion
- Low shrinkage
Cons
- Consistent temperature from the extruder required
- Requires direct drive extruder (Bowden extruders may tangle it)
Buy TPU/FLEX filament on Amazon
Acetal
Polyoxymethylene, also known as acetal, is a high tensile strength filament. It is used in consumer electronics, medical devices and furniture. It has a semi-crystaline structure and is originally of a white colour. Acetal prints are strong, flexible and slippery.
Applicable Technologies
- FDM/FFF
Features
Acetal is a very strong material. It is also highly resistant to abrasions, which makes it ideal for medical devices and electronics. 3D printing Acetal is primarily the domain of industrial users as opposed to desktop enthusiasts, although desktop printers with modifications can manage to process it.
Acetal is very chemically resistant. But this has a downside in that Acetal does not bond well. This makes it difficult to repair and build prints with. It also requires very specific machinery. While it doesn’t require an extremely hight temperature to print with, it is not nearly as common in 3D printing. Acetal is easily affected by moisture and requires appropriate storage.
Pros
- High Stiffness and strength
- High chemical resistance
- Good elastic resistance
- Good heat resistance
Cons
- Degrades when overheated
- Requires controlled heating and ventilation
- Affected by moisture
PVA
Polyvinyl Alcohol is a water soluble material that is great for printing but can also act as a support material. This makes it very useful for complex designs where support removal can be damaging or tricky. Thus many users print support with it can leave the result in a body of water overnight and retrieve their desired print.
Applicable Technologies
- FDM/FFF
Features
It’s primary feature, as mentioned earlier, is its water solubility. Unfortunately, this makes it unsuitable for outdoor goods. This material is a great support material alongside PLA because it is soluble in water and PLA is completely unaffected by water. Additionally, it has a melting temperature that matches with PLA.
Aside from its water solubility, PVA also absorbs moisture. This means storage can be slightly cumbersome. It does not require a heated bed. It bonds very well against most thermoplastics, as support materials should.
Pros
- Great for complex prints
- Water soluble
- Bonds very well to other thermoplastics
- Biodegradable
- Safe to print
Cons
- Needs to be contained in a moisture free environment
- Impractical for functional prints
