Selecting Materials For Your FDM 3D Printer
Learn about choosing the right material for 3D printing your parts. We will guide you about the most commonly used filaments and their applications. Along with the applications, optimum printing settings and conditions are also included which will make sure that you achieve best printing results every time
Commonly used FDM Printing Materials*
PLA
Polylactic Acid
Properties
Soft, Food Safe, Biodegradable
Applications
Food containers, Home decor products, Indoor use parts that are not subjected to sunlight, concept prototypes, low stress parts, etc
Printing Temperature
190 – 220°C
Bed Temperature (Recommended)
50 – 60°C
| Build Surface | Acrylic | Glass | PEI Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesion Method | Kapton Tape | Glue Stick | None |
PLA+
Polylactic Acid Plus
Properties
Greater machinability than PLA, Similar strength and higher stiffness compared to ABS. No delamination or warping in larger parts
Applications
Prototype with functional parts, Jigs for tooling, Fixtures for manufacturing, Toughness applications
Printing Temperature
200 – 215°C
Bed Temperature (Recommended)
50 – 60°C
| Build Surface | Glass | PEI Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesion Method | Glue Stick | None |
ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Properties
Toxic, Strong, Best post-processing
Applications
Instruments, Sports equipment, Objects that might be dropped, Outdoor use parts, Parts exposed to UV, etc
Printing Temperature
220 – 250°C
Bed Temperature (Recommended)
70 – 100°C
| Build Surface | Glass | Glass | PEI Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesion Method | ABS Slurry | Hair Spray | None |
PET-G
Polyethylene terephthalate Glycol
Properties
Barely warps, No odors or fumes when printed, FDA Approved for tools used in food containers, Durability of ABS
Applications
Phone cases and mechanical parts that require flexibility and impact resistance, Snap fit enclosures
Printing Temperature
220 – 260°C
Bed Temperature (Recommended)
55 – 70°C
| Build Surface | Glass | PEI Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesion Method | Glue Stick | None |
TPU
Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Properties
Flexible 3D printing material, excellent abrasion resistance
Applications
Toys, Belts, stoppers, phone cases, visual products
Printing Temperature
210 – 225°C
Bed Temperature (Recommended)
50°C
| Build Surface | Glass | PEI Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesion Method | Glue Stick | None |