When it comes to FDM printing, there is a wide array of materials to choose from. But how do we know which one is correct for our application? In this guide, we will go through the main properties of each common printing filament and discuss why you may choose one material over another. Furthermore, we will go through our recommended applications for each material. For this guide, we will be excluding aesthetic as a category, however surface finish and colours vary slightly from material to material.
Material Properties
Shown below is a table of general material properties for each filament Makerhero offers. For more technical details on each of the materials, head on over to the Makerhero Materials Guide through the button below:
| PLA | PETG | ASA | PC | FLEX TPU-95A | CF Blend | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | 55°C | 70°C | 95°C | 120°C | 65°C | Variable |
| Strength | Medium | Medium | High | Very High | Low | Very High |
| Durability | Medium | High | High | Very High | High | Very High |
| Flexibility | Low | Medium | Low | High | Very High | Low |
| Difficulty to Print | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium | High | Medium |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm3 | 1.27 g/cm3 | 1.07 g/cm3 | 1.20 g/cm3 | 1.20 g/cm3 | Variable |
| Cost | $ | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
What Are Your Requirements?
Printing is used by everyone for various different applications, and these applications can depend on a set of criteria. The criteria could include cost efficiency, ease of printing, special requirements, and strength. Depending on the printer you have, strength requirement, budget, etc, the choice of material can be quite significant. That is why we have put together our decision tree for you to find the right material for you.
Recommended Applications
With everyday use in the Makerhero workshop most of our printing is done with our PLA material. It’s very easy to print with so the success rate of prints is very high, it’s the cheapest of the materials, and the strength is more than sufficient for most of our applications.
Occasionally when we get prints that need to be that little bit stronger, PETG is more than strong enough for all of our applications. In the event that a part needs to be very strong or highly temperature resistant, we would look towards using ASA and PC. However we do limit the use of ASA and PC due to fumes, lower print success rate, and special requirements from the printer.
Finally, CF is quite rarely used, being the most expensive filament, and due to its abrasive nature. Thus, this material is generally used for specialised cases where it’s vital that a part is as light and strong as possible.
Of course, it’s quite a simple selection, when a rubber-like material is required, TPU is the go-to material.
Here at Makerhero, these are the filament choices and applications that we have found works best for hobbyists and beginners out there, but each application is unique and taking the time to find the perfect material for your use might just be what makes your printing truly perfect.