Your part
We clarify what the part has to withstand: heat, load, weather or flexing.
↗ FILAMENT GUIDE
The right material for every part.
Not every filament suits every use. This overview shows the common materials with typical uses, strengths and what to watch out for.
Wrong material,
frustrating prints.
Parts that go soft in the sun, break or come loose from the bed are often not the printer's fault but the material's. If you know the properties, you choose deliberately and avoid failed prints.
Materials compared
| Material | Typical use | Strengths | Watch out / tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Prototypes, models, decoration, indoor brackets | Easy to print, dimensionally accurate, huge colour range | Softens at around 55–60 °C: not for the car or direct sun. Rather brittle. |
| PETG | Functional parts, enclosures, outdoor parts | Tough, good layer adhesion, more resistant to moisture and many chemicals than PLA | Prone to stringing. Sticks very strongly to smooth PEI plates: use a release agent or a textured plate. |
| ABS / ASA | Technical parts, automotive; ASA for outdoor use | More heat-resistant than PETG, easy to post-process; ASA is UV-resistant | Warps easily: an enclosure is recommended. Printing releases fumes, so ventilate well. |
| TPU | Seals, bumpers, protective cases, flexible parts | Elastic, abrasion-resistant, absorbs shocks | Print slowly; a direct-drive extruder is recommended. Absorbs moisture. |
| PA (nylon) | Gears, hinges, loaded functional parts | Very tough, abrasion-resistant, good sliding properties | Strongly hygroscopic: dry before printing and print dry. High nozzle temperature, prone to warping. |
| Fibre-reinforced (CF / GF) | Stiff, light parts, brackets, jigs and fixtures | High stiffness, dimensionally stable, matte surface | Abrasive: use a hardened nozzle. Parts get stiffer but often more brittle. Do not breathe in dust when sanding. |
| PC | Heat-resistant, impact-resistant technical parts | Very high heat and impact resistance | High nozzle and bed temperatures, enclosure needed, strong warping: better for experienced users. |
These are general guidelines. Always follow the recommendations of the filament manufacturer and your printer.
Store it dry,
print it clean.
Many filaments absorb moisture from the air, especially PA (nylon), TPU and PETG. You can spot wet filament by crackling or hissing at the nozzle, bubbles, rough surfaces and more stringing.
- Store spools airtight with desiccant after printing, in a bag or a box.
- Regenerate or replace the desiccant regularly; a small hygrometer shows when it is needed.
- Dry wet filament in a filament dryer, with the temperature and time recommended by the manufacturer and always below the spool's softening temperature.
- Print sensitive materials straight from a dry box.
04 / IN THE CONSULTATION
Choose the material,
Choose the material,
understand the settings.
The choice
We choose the material and check whether your printer is equipped for it.
↗The settings
Temperature, cooling, adhesion and drying to suit the material and machine.
↗What you can do afterwards
- You choose materials by their use, not by chance.
- You know the key settings for your materials.
- You store and dry filament properly and avoid typical failed prints.
Initial call
30 minutes.
For a specific material question, an initial video call is often enough. By video call or on site by arrangement, price on request. See all consulting packages
Ask for advice ↗