Filament Types & Properties
Understanding different filament materials and their characteristics
Overview
3D printing filaments come in many different materials, each with unique properties, printing requirements, and cost characteristics. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right filament for each project and set accurate pricing.
Common Filament Types
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
Best For: Beginners, prototypes, decorative items, low-stress parts
Typical Cost Range: $15-$30 per kg
Properties: Easy to print, biodegradable, low warping, good detail, brittle in thin sections
Print Temperature: 190-220°C
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Best For: Functional parts, higher temperature applications, automotive parts
Typical Cost Range: $18-$35 per kg
Properties: Strong, heat resistant, flexible, prone to warping, requires enclosure
Print Temperature: 220-250°C
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
Best For: Functional parts, outdoor use, food-safe containers, mechanical parts
Typical Cost Range: $20-$40 per kg
Properties: Strong, flexible, chemical resistant, minimal warping, slightly stringy
Print Temperature: 220-250°C
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Best For: Flexible parts, phone cases, seals, shock absorption
Typical Cost Range: $30-$60 per kg
Properties: Highly flexible, abrasion resistant, chemical resistant, challenging to print
Print Temperature: 210-230°C
Specialty Filaments
Nylon (PA)
Strong, durable, excellent layer adhesion. Expensive ($40-$70/kg). Absorbs moisture. Used for functional parts and mechanical components.
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)
Similar to ABS but better UV resistance. Great for outdoor applications. Cost: $30-$50/kg. Requires enclosure.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Extremely strong and heat resistant. Very challenging to print. Cost: $50-$90/kg. Industrial applications.
Support Materials (PVA, HIPS)
Water-soluble (PVA) or dissolvable (HIPS) support materials. Cost: $40-$80/kg. Used in dual-extrusion printing.
Factors Affecting Filament Cost
Material Type
Base material significantly impacts price:
- Budget: PLA ($15-$25/kg)
- Standard: PETG, ABS ($20-$35/kg)
- Premium: TPU, Nylon ($30-$70/kg)
- Engineering: PC, Carbon Fiber ($50-$150/kg)
Brand Premium
Premium brands (Prusament, Polymaker Pro) typically cost 20-50% more than budget brands, but offer more consistent quality, better diameter tolerance, and fewer printing issues.
Special Properties
Filaments with special properties cost more:
- Color effects (silk, metallic, color-changing): +15-30%
- Composite materials (wood-fill, metal-fill): +30-100%
- Carbon fiber reinforced: +100-200%
- Engineering grades: +50-150%
Best Practices for Filament Selection
Match Material to Application: Don't use expensive specialty filaments when PLA will work. Reserve premium materials for projects that require their specific properties.
Track Costs by Type: Maintain separate entries in your filament library for different types/variants even from the same brand. PLA+ costs more than regular PLA.
Consider Print Failure Rate: Budget filaments may have lower upfront costs but higher failure rates. Factor this into your true cost calculations.