Choosing filaments

Guide to 3D printing filaments: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU and PEBA

General-purpose and easy filaments

• Print difficulty: Very easy (low print temperature, minimal risk of the material warping, does not require an enclosed printer)
  
  
• Heat resistance: Low (~50°C–55°C)
  
  
• Key properties: Rigid material, can be brittle on impact, gives a very good and fine finish.
  
  
• Best suited for: Visual design, decorative items, desk items and parts that will not be exposed to much load or heat.
  
  

• Print difficulty: Easy (slightly higher temperature than PLA, low risk of the material warping)
  
  
• Heat behaviour / Heat resistance: Medium-high (~70°C–80°C)
  
  
• Key properties: Flexible, very good layer adhesion, resists chemicals well, a good balance of flexibility and strength.
  
  
• Best suited for: Useful parts, mechanical covers, mounts and parts exposed to little weather stress
  
  

Technical filaments and materials for outdoor use

• Print difficulty: Moderately difficult / Difficult (requires an enclosed printer to prevent warping or cracking, gives off fumes during printing)
  
  
• Heat behaviour / Heat resistance: High (~90°C–100°C)
  
  
• Key properties: High impact resistance, lightweight material, easy to sand and smooth with acetone.
  
  
• Best suited for: Mechanical parts that need to withstand heat, car interiors and equipment housings.
  
  

• Print difficulty: Moderately difficult / Difficult (requires an enclosed printer, similar to ABS, gives off fumes)
  
  
• Heat behaviour / Heat resistance: High (~95°C–100°C)
  
  
• Key properties: Similar to ABS in strength, but has outstanding UV and weather resistance (does not fade or break down in sunlight).
  
  
• Best suited for: All outdoor parts, parts for cars or boats and covers exposed to sun and weather stress
  
  

Flexible filaments (elastomers)

• Print difficulty: Moderately difficult (requires a Direct Drive extruder or very slow printing, absorbs moisture easily)
  
  
• Softness and flexibility: High (usually 85A to 95A Shore hardness)
  
  
• Key properties: Excellent wear resistance, high sound and impact damping, strong bonding between layers.
  
  
• Best suited for: e.g. phone cases, dampers, drone guards, gaskets and handles.
  
  

• Print difficulty: Specialised / Difficult (requires strict moisture control and precise print settings)
  
  
• Softness and flexibility: Very high (very lightweight material with excellent energy return / bounces well)
  
  
• Key properties: Lower density than TPU, retains flexibility well in the cold and loses little energy under repeated flexing.
  
  
• Best suited for: High-quality sports equipment (midsoles in shoes, damping mounts), balls, flexible parts that need to withstand cold and dampers that need to return energy.

Comparison table