FDM 3D prining materials.

FDM 3D prining materials.

3D printing filament is the raw material used for fused deposition modeling 3D printers. There are various filaments available with different properties, requiring different temperatures to print. Fracktal printers used 1.75mm Dia filament as it is the industry standard. 3mm dia filament is also available in the market which is not as popular.


The below table can be referred to get properties of various filaments.

FilamentSpecial PropertiesUsesStrengthDensity (kg/m3)FlexibilityDurabilityDifficulty to printPrint Temperature (°C)Bed Temperature (°C)Printing notes
PLA
  • Easy to print
  • Biodegradable though only in very specific conditions
Consumer ProductsMedium1240LowMediumLow180 - 230No heated bed needed or, 60-80C are recommended also
ABS
  • Durable
  • Impact resistant
Functional PartsMedium1010MediumHighMedium210 - 25050 - 100
PETG (XT, N‑Vent)
  • More flexible than PLA or ABS
  • Durable
AllMedium1270HighHighMedium220 - 235No heated bed needed
Nylon
  • Strong
  • Flexible
  • Durable
AllHigh1020HighHighMedium220 - 26050 - 100Hygroscopic, keep sealed when not in use
TPE
  • Extremely flexible
  • Rubber-like
  • Elastic Parts
  • Wearables
LowHighMediumHigh225 - 23540Print very slowly
TPU
  • Extremely flexible
  • Rubber-like
  • Elastic Parts
  • Wearables
LowHighMediumHigh225 - 235No heated bed neededPrint slowly
WoodWood-like finishHome DecorMedium1400MediumMediumMedium195 - 220No heated bed needed
HIPS
  • Dissolvable
  • Biodegradable
Support structures when using ABS on a dual extrusion printer.Low1040MediumHighMedium210 - 25050 - 100
PVA
  • Dissolvable
  • Water Soluble
  • Biodegradable
  • Oil Resistant
Support structures when using PLA or ABS on a dual extrusion printer.HighLowMediumLow180 - 230No heated bed neededHygroscopic, keep sealed when not in use
PET (CEP)
  • Strong
  • Flexible
  • Durable
  • Recyclable
AllHighHighHighMedium220 - 250No heated bed needed
PLA MetalMetal FinishJewelleryMediumLowHighHigh195 - 220No heated bed neededUse hardened nozzle
PLA Carbon Fiber
  • Rigid
  • Stronger Than Pure PLA
Functional PartsMediumLowHighMedium195 - 220No heated bed neededUse hardened nozzle
Lignin (bioFila)
  • Biodegradable
  • Stronger than PLA
MediumLowMediumLow190 - 22555
Polycarbonate
  • Very strong
  • Flexible
  • Durable
  • Transparent
  • Heat Resistant
Functional PartsHigh1180 – 1200HighHighMedium270 - 31090 - 105Use enclosed heated chamber at ambient temperature of around 60 °C
Conductive (usually a graphite-plastic blend)ConductiveElectronicsMediumMediumLowLow215 - 230No heated bed neededUse hardened nozzle
Wax (MOLDLAY)Melts AwayLow cost castingLowLowLowLow170 - 180No heated bed needed
PETT (T‑Glase)
  • Strong
  • Flexible
  • Transparent
  • Clear
Functional PartsHighHighHighMedium235 - 240No heated bed needed
ASA
  • Rigid
  • Durable
  • Weather Resistant
OutdoorMediumLowHighMedium240 - 260100 - 120
PP
  • Flexible
  • Chemical Resistance
Flexible ComponentsMedium1040HighMediumHigh210 - 230120 - 150
POM, Acetal
  • Strong
  • Rigid
  • Low Friction
  • Resilient
Functional PartsHighLowMediumHigh210 - 225130
PMMA, Acrylic
  • Rigid
  • Durable
  • Transparent
  • Clear
  • Impact Resistant
Light diffusersMediumLowHighMedium235 - 250100 -120
Sandstone (LAYBRICK; styled plastic)Sandstone FinishArchitectureLowLowLowMedium165 - 210No heated bed needed
GLow-In-The-Dark plasticPhosphorescenceFunMediumMediumMediumLow215No heated bed neededUse hardened nozzle
CleaningCleaningUnclogging of NozzlesN/AN/AN/ALow150 - 260No heated bed needed
PC-ABS
  • Rigid
  • Durable
  • Impact Resistant
  • Resilient
  • Deflecting Heat
Functional PartsMediumLowHighHigh260 - 280120
Magnetic (PLA blend)MagneticFunMediumMediumMediumHigh195 - 220No heated bed needed
Color Changing (plastic blend)ThermochromismFunMediumMediumMediumLow215No heated bed needed
nGen (co-polyester)
  • Similar to PETG
  • Heat Resistant
  • Transparent
AllMediumHighHighMedium210 - 24060
TPC
  • Extremely Flexible
  • Rubber-Like
  • Chemical resistant
  • Heat resistant
  • UV light resistant
  • Elastic Parts
  • Outdoor
LowHighMediumHigh21060 - 100
PORO-LAYPartially Water SolubleExperimentalLowHighMediumLow220 - 235No heated bed needed
FPEFlexibleFlexible PartsLowHighHighMedium205 - 25075
PEI
  • Heat Resistant
  • Strong
  • Flame Performance
Functional PartsHigh1270MediumHighMedium340 - 380180 - 200Use enclosed heated chamber at 220 °C


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