Standard PLA (Polylactic Acid)
- Why It's Used: PLA is the most commonly used 3D printing filament due to its ease of use and biodegradability.
- Advantages:
- Low printing temperature, reducing warping and nozzle clogging issues.
- No heated bed required.
- Produces detailed prints with a smooth surface finish.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Disadvantages:
- Brittle and less durable than other filaments.
- Poor heat resistance (can soften at ~60°C).
- Prone to moisture absorption, requiring proper storage.
Silk PLA
- Why It's Used: Offers a glossy, smooth, and reflective surface finish, making it ideal for decorative prints.
- Advantages:
- Aesthetically pleasing with a shiny, silk-like finish.
- Easy to print like standard PLA.
- No heated bed required.
- Disadvantages:
- Slightly weaker mechanical properties than standard PLA.
- More prone to stringing and oozing.
- Less layer adhesion due to added silk additives.
Ultra Silk PLA
- Why It's Used: Enhanced silk PLA with a more pronounced gloss and smoother finish.
- Advantages:
- Superior shine and smoothness for premium-looking prints.
- Ideal for art pieces, figurines, and decorative items.
- Easy to print like regular PLA.
- Disadvantages:
- Slightly reduced strength and flexibility.
- More difficult to post-process (sanding, painting).
- Prone to minor stringing and slower cooling.
Standard PLA+ & Pro
- Why It's Used: Enhanced version of PLA with better mechanical properties while maintaining ease of printing.
- Advantages:
- Increased strength and durability compared to standard PLA.
- Better layer adhesion and impact resistance.
- Reduced brittleness.
- Disadvantages:
- Slightly higher printing temperature.
- Still not very heat resistant.
- More susceptible to moisture absorption.
High-Speed PLA
- Why It's Used: Optimized for rapid printing while maintaining structural integrity.
- Advantages:
- Prints at higher speeds without compromising strength.
- Good layer adhesion and impact resistance.
- Less warping compared to other high-speed filaments.
- Disadvantages:
- May require fine-tuned settings for best results.
- Some formulations might be more brittle than PLA+.
High-Speed PLA+
- Why It's Used: Combines high-speed performance with enhanced durability.
- Advantages:
- Maintains strength and flexibility at high speeds.
- Less prone to warping and cracking.
- Higher impact resistance than standard PLA.
- Disadvantages:
- Higher printing temperature than regular PLA.
- May require optimized cooling to prevent defects.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified)
- Why It's Used: Ideal for functional parts that need strength, flexibility, and water resistance.
- Advantages:
- Stronger and more durable than PLA.
- Good chemical, water, and UV resistance.
- Less brittle than PLA and can handle moderate mechanical stress.
- Disadvantages:
- More prone to stringing and oozing.
- Requires a heated bed to prevent warping.
- Slightly trickier to dial in compared to PLA.
High-Speed PETG
- Why It's Used: Modified PETG for faster printing while maintaining durability.
- Advantages:
- Prints faster without excessive oozing or stringing.
- Stronger than PLA and standard PETG.
- Improved layer adhesion for tougher prints.
- Disadvantages:
- Requires fine-tuned settings for optimal results.
- More prone to overhang curling if cooling is insufficient.
Glass Fiber PETG
- Why It's Used: Enhanced with glass fibers for extra rigidity and durability.
- Advantages:
- Increased strength and stiffness compared to regular PETG.
- More resistant to heat and impact.
- Good for industrial applications.
- Disadvantages:
- More abrasive on nozzles (requires hardened steel nozzle).
- Reduced flexibility.
- Requires higher temperatures for optimal adhesion.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
- Why It's Used: Popular for functional parts due to its toughness and heat resistance.
- Advantages:
- High impact resistance.
- More heat-resistant than PLA or PETG.
- Can be post-processed with acetone for a smooth finish.
- Disadvantages:
- Requires a heated bed and enclosed printer to prevent warping.
- Produces strong fumes (requires proper ventilation).
- More difficult to print than PLA or PETG.
High-Speed ABS
- Why It's Used: Improved ABS formulation optimized for fast printing.
- Advantages:
- Prints faster without significant loss in strength.
- Reduced warping compared to standard ABS.
- Maintains high heat and impact resistance.
- Disadvantages:
- Still requires a heated bed and enclosure.
- More prone to layer splitting if cooling is too aggressive.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
- Why It's Used: Flexible and elastic filament for shock-absorbing parts.
- Advantages:
- High flexibility and impact resistance.
- Good chemical and abrasion resistance.
- Ideal for gaskets, seals, and flexible components.
- Disadvantages:
- Requires direct-drive extruder for best results.
- Slower printing speeds due to flexibility.
- Can be difficult to print with bowden-style extruders.
High-Speed TPU
- Why It's Used: Formulated for faster printing while maintaining flexibility.
- Advantages:
- Prints at higher speeds with less deformation.
- Better layer adhesion and consistency.
- Still retains good flexibility and durability.
- Disadvantages:
- Requires optimized settings to balance speed and print quality.
- Can still be tricky to print with bowden extruders.
Glass Fiber ASA (Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile)
- Why It's Used: Designed for outdoor applications with enhanced UV resistance.
- Advantages:
- Strong and weather-resistant.
- Higher heat and impact resistance than ABS.
- Glass fibers increase stiffness and durability.
- Disadvantages:
- More difficult to print than ABS.
- Requires a hardened nozzle due to abrasiveness.
- Needs an enclosure for best results.
ABS+
- Why It's Used: Modified ABS with improved printability and reduced warping.
- Advantages:
- Easier to print than standard ABS.
- Stronger layer adhesion.
- Still maintains heat and impact resistance.
- Disadvantages:
- Still produces fumes, requiring ventilation.
- Requires a heated bed and enclosure.
Carbon Fiber ABS
- Why It's Used: Infused with carbon fiber for increased rigidity and strength.
- Advantages:
- Stiffer and stronger than regular ABS.
- Improved heat resistance.
- Ideal for functional, lightweight parts.
- Disadvantages:
- Abrasive to standard nozzles (requires hardened nozzle).
- Less flexible than standard ABS.
- Requires enclosure and high printing temperatures.
