A Guide to 3D Printing Filament Materials

This guide from a team of 3D printing specialists, for 3D printing filament materials and will introduce to you the different 3D printer filament types and their uses. Picking the right filament material can be fundamental for prototype production amongst other 3D printing needs. We hope to make this guide as clear as possible so it can be referenced when needed. 

ELPA Filament 

Engineering PLA filament can be useful for manufacturing visual prototypes. It also allows for the added option of post processing such as painting and sanding. 

ABS Filament 

This material has heat resistant properties which can be useful for the creation of functional prototypes. ABS models are also wear resistant. They do not scratch easily and can be stored for a considerable amount of time if preserved correctly.. Additionally, ABS filament is very flexible and can stretch. 

PETG FIlament

This filament material is UV resistant. Furthermore, unlike many materials that degrade when left out in direct sunlight, PETG is the exception in 3D printing. This material is also water resistant. It can be used to store liquids and can be submerged without degrading. 

PP Filament 

Another popular choice for many 3D printing specialists is PP filament. This material is chemical resistant and cannot be combined to anything other than itself. PP models also do not break easily from repeated flexural forces making it considerably fatigue resistant. 

Carbon Fibre Filament 

Many 3D printing specialists will choose carbon fibre due to its high strength. Carbon can be added to a base filament to increase strength and rigidity to a final model. 

HIPS Filament

HIPS can dissolve in citric acid making it a soluble material. It is also impact resistant, withstanding forces for various application purposes. 

Nylon 

Another low friction filament material is Nylon filament. This material is perfect for models that require movement without degrading. 

Summary 

As you can see there are a wide range of filament materials that can be used for numerous manufacturing purposes. From water-resistant materials such as PETG to wear resistant materials such as ABS filament, there is almost no limit to what you can create using these materials. 

Contact Us - 3D Printing Specialists

As a  team of 3D printing specialists, we are passionate about turning ideas into a reality. So if you need to print a part efficiently or bring a new idea to life, get in touch with our team today and we’ll identify how 3D printing can help. We look forward to hearing from you!