3D printing materials

Quick rule: PLA for prototypes and decoration, PETG for functional parts, ASA for outdoor use and heat and TPU for flexible parts.

FDM materials

PLA

PLA is the easiest and cheapest plastic to print: rigid, accurate and with a good finish.

Max. service temperature	≈ 55 °C
Stiffness	High
Impact resistance	Low–medium

PETG

PETG is our recommended material for functional parts and spare parts: more resistant to impact and heat than PLA (≈ 75 °C), slightly flexible and fine for humidity and moderate outdoor use.

Max. service temperature	≈ 75 °C
Stiffness	Medium
Impact resistance	High

ABS / ASA

ABS and ASA are engineering plastics for parts that face heat (≈ 95 °C) and demanding use.

Max. service temperature	≈ 95 °C
Stiffness	Medium–high
Impact resistance	High

TPU

TPU is a flexible, rubber-like material (hardness ≈ 95A).

Hardness	≈ 95A (Shore)
Elasticity	High
Abrasion resistance	Excellent

Engineering plastics

Nylon, PBT and carbon or glass fibre filled plastics. They are not in the calculator: we quote them on WhatsApp. Ask for a price on WhatsApp

PA (nylon)

Nylon (PA) is the plastic for parts that work hard: gears, bushings, hinges and clips that flex thousands of times.

Heat deflection temp. (HDT)	≈ 110 °C unfilled · 180–190 °C with fibre
Wear resistance	Excellent
Toughness	Very high

PBT

PBT is an engineering polyester, a cousin of PET: it keeps its dimensions, barely absorbs moisture and resists oils, fuels and many solvents.

Heat deflection temp. (HDT)	≈ 105 °C (PC-PBT) · PBT-GF ≈ 170 °C
Dimensional stability	Very good
Moisture absorption	Very low

Carbon fibre (CF)

Carbon fibre plastics (PLA-CF, PETG-CF, PA-CF) have short carbon fibres mixed into the filament.

Stiffness	Very high
Weight	Lower than the base plastic
Heat deflection temp. (HDT)	PLA-CF 55 °C · PETG-CF 74 °C · PA-CF 186–194 °C

Glass fibre (GF)

Glass fibre plastics (PA-GF, ABS-GF, PBT-GF) are stiffer, deform less with heat and hold their dimensions better than the base plastic.

Stiffness	High
Impact resistance	Better than carbon fibre
Heat deflection temp. (HDT)	ABS-GF 99 °C · PBT-GF ≈ 170 °C · PA6-GF 182 °C