Choosing the Right Filament

Caleb | March 9, 2022, 1:42 p.m.

Are you looking for the right type of material for your 3D print? This article is a guide which will hopefully help you pick what material best suits your print. This is intended for beginners, who are looking for a print with a more specialized use, and will hopefully help you make the right choice on what to use!

Why Choose a Different Filament?

If you are looking for your print to be utilized in a specialized manner or environment, you may want for your print to utilize a material that will be more suited to the task at hand. Different material types have different properties, and therefore different advantages and disadvantages when utilized in particular situations. Therefore, knowing what material you are dealing with and how it will react and perform is key to getting the most out of your print.

What to Consider when Selecting a Filament:

There are a few key considerations when selecting the type of material to print with. The first step is to identify where and how you will use your print. The most important are whether it will be outside or inside, whether it will be in direct sunlight or shade, and whether it will be under constant stress or intermittent stress. These three areas will largely determine your choice of material for most prints of a functional nature, as these factors will largely affect the durability and lifespan of your print.

Another more detailed way to choose a material is by identifying what traits are most important to your print. Examples of such traits include:

  • Stress resistance
  • Temperature resistance
  • Element durability
  • Weather resistance
  • Outdoor capability
  • Impact resistance
  • Form retention
  • Form accuracy
  • Flexibility

Selecting the most important traits from this list will give you a good idea of what to look for in the different filament types.

Types of Filaments:

Now that we have a better idea of what to look for in a filament, here is a list of some of the more common types of filaments used in 3D printing. We will go through the general applications, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each material.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

By default, our 3D printers at PrintGig use PLA filament as a standard material. PLA is, for most situations, the best option for 3D prints. This general-purpose material is well suited for many different applications around the home or office, as well as for models and indoor repair.

Its advantages are:

  • Most common and stress-free 3D printing material: most available
  • Biodegradable
  • Stress resistant
  • Low degree of warping, suitable for objects of all sizes

Its disadvantages are:

  • Low temperature resistance, loses strength over 60 degrees Celsius.
  • Not ideal for outdoor use
  • Not food safe without a coating
  • Requires post processing for smooth finish

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

PETG filament is a more specialized material, more suited for use when durability and environmental resistance is required. PETG is most suited for both indoor and outdoor repair, as well as mechanical components such as gears, and 3D printer parts.

Its advantages are:

  • Tough and temperature resistant
  • Food-safe and non-toxic
  • Good for larger prints
  • Flexible

Its disadvantages are:

  • Can be prone to ‘stringing’ during printing
  • Can absorb water, making it more brittle
  • Needs to be recycled when disposed

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)

ASA is another durable material, and is well suited for prolonged outdoor use, due to its high UV resistance. ASA is suited for us in outdoor fixtures and repairs, as well as in high temperature environments such as electronic housing.

Its advantages are:

  • Durable and tough
  • Excellent temperature and UV resistance
  • Ideal for prolonged outdoor usage

Its disadvantages are:

  • Possible warping and shrinking of print
  • Hazardous and more difficult printing process

Resin

If durability is of lesser concern to your print, and detail and form accuracy is of upmost concern, then resin printing might be the option for you. Well not referring to one specific material, all resin printing is largely similar in terms of results. Resin also additionally requires a different resin-specific printer altogether, and therefore presents a slightly higher barrier to entry. Resin is most suited for highly detailed prints, such as models, game pieces, or other ornamental pieces.

Its advantages are:

  • Highly detailed and accurate
  • Smooth surface finish
  • Water proof

Its disadvantages:

  • Requires post-processing for detailed finish
  • Less stress resistant
  • Not suitable for outdoor use

    • Conclusion

    There are many more additional types of filament types suitable for different applications of prints. If what you’re looking for in a material is not listed here, then a bit more research may yield exactly what you’re looking for. Remember that some filament types require more specialized printers or may be more difficult to handle or print with, so bear that in mind before committing to a material: things can end up fairly messy otherwise!

    So all the best with your 3D printing journeys!