Choose the right FDM material in 5 questions

Ideal for

• Visual prototypes
• Decor props and figurines
• Educational models

Key takeaways

• Wide colour palette with a clean surface finish.
• AMS friendly; keep the filament dry to limit stringing.

Watch outs

• Softens around 55–60 °C; avoid hot environments.
• Highly UV sensitive even with varnish—avoid outdoor use.

Ideal for

• Premium decorative objects
• Low-glare visual pieces

Key takeaways

• Matte finish hides layer lines very well.
• Print settings close to standard PLA.

Watch outs

• A slight extrusion increase can help maintain layer bonding.

Ideal for

• Awards and trophies
• Highly reflective decorative parts

Key takeaways

• Bright, silk-like finish.
• AMS compatible if the filament path is clean and low friction.

Watch outs

• Brittle in bending—avoid functional loads.
• Reduce print speed to stabilise the gloss.

Ideal for

• Lightweight RC models
• Demonstrators where mass matters

Key takeaways

• Controlled foaming for 20–30% weight savings.
• Heavily dependent on temperature and flow calibration.

Watch outs

• Flow calibration is critical to keep density consistent.
• Less robust than standard PLA.

Ideal for

• Rigid jigs and fixtures
• Light structural components

Key takeaways

• Markedly higher stiffness with limited shrinkage and a matte finish.
• Better dimensional stability than standard PLA.

Watch outs

• Hardened or ruby nozzles are mandatory.
• More brittle than PETG-CF, handle shocks with care.

Ideal for

• Moderately loaded functional parts
• Housings and enclosures
• Outdoor use with light UV protection

Key takeaways

• Well-balanced for everyday functional parts.
• AMS compatible; gentle drying drastically reduces stringing.

Watch outs

• Prone to stringing when moist—dry before printing.
• May creep or crack under constant load.

Ideal for

• Lightweight supports under load
• Frames, mounts and brackets

Key takeaways

• Excellent dimensional stability with a technical surface finish.
• Lower shrinkage than standard PETG.

Watch outs

• Use abrasion-resistant nozzles.
• Less impact tolerant than PA-CF or PC-CF.

Ideal for

• Lighting diffusers
• Non-structural glazing

Key takeaways

• Translucent to clear results with thick layers, wider nozzles and minimal cooling.
• Drying is essential to prevent micro-bubbles.

Watch outs

• Lower cooling to maximise clarity.
• Sanding and polishing can further improve transparency.

Ideal for

• Technical parts up to ~90 °C
• Functional prototypes

Key takeaways

• Can be drilled, tapped and machined after printing.
• Solvent welding with acetone remains an option.

Watch outs

• Significant fumes—use filtered ventilation.
• Warping is severe without a heated enclosure.

Ideal for

• Outdoor equipment
• Parts exposed to sun and rain
• Light automotive applications

Key takeaways

• Superior UV resistance compared to ABS.
• Matte finish often hides layer lines better.

Watch outs

• Prefers a heated chamber and high bed temperature.
• Emissions comparable to ABS—plan for filtration.

Ideal for

• Durable mechanical parts
• Living hinges and low-load bushings

Key takeaways

• Excellent fatigue resistance and low friction.
• Natural slip and resilience.

Watch outs

• Extremely hygroscopic: dry and store in a drybox.
• Warping can occur—use adhesion aids.

Ideal for

• Production tooling
• Highly stressed mechanical parts

Key takeaways

• High stiffness with strong thermal resistance.
• Significantly less creep than standard PA.

Watch outs

• Hardened nozzles and drive gears required.
• Needs continuous drying and external feeding.

Ideal for

• High-temperature functional parts
• Brackets and fixtures under heat

Key takeaways

• Outstanding thermal and impact resistance.
• Great inter-layer bonding when the process is tuned.

Watch outs

• Nearly always requires a heated chamber and grippy build plate.
• Dry thoroughly to avoid bubbles and cracking.

Ideal for

• Structural parts at high temperature
• Industrial tooling

Key takeaways

• Maximum stiffness with controlled shrinkage and technical finish.
• Handles elevated temperatures with ease.

Watch outs

• Hardened or ruby nozzles mandatory.
• Strict humidity control and heated chamber required.

Ideal for

• Transparent shields
• Technical optics without prolonged UV

Key takeaways

• Clear prints with thick layers, stable flow and very low cooling.
• Polishing or vapour treatment can enhance clarity further.

Watch outs

• Keep the chamber hot, the surfaces clean and parameters stable.
• Dry thoroughly to maintain transparency.

Ideal for

• Seals and dampers
• Soles and anti-slip grips

Key takeaways

• Elastic, vibration absorbing and abrasion resistant.
• Performs best with direct-drive extruders.

Watch outs

• Reduce speed (often below 40 mm/s).
• Limit retraction to avoid jams.