Home / filament / filament-guide
Filament Guide¶
Introduction¶
Filament selection plays a crucial role in 3D printing success. This guide covers common filament types, their properties, and printing recommendations to help you choose the right material for your projects.
Common Filament Types¶
PLA (Polylactic Acid)¶
- Properties:
- Biodegradable
- Easy to print
- Low warping
-
Limited heat resistance
-
Printing Temperature: 190-220°C
-
Bed Temperature: 50-60°C or room temperature
-
Best For:
- Beginners
- Decorative items
-
Low-stress parts
-
Purchase Options:
- OneTwo3D Filament Selection
- West3d Filament Selection
- Amazon PLA Filament Section
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)¶
- Properties:
- Good strength
- Chemical resistance
- Moderate heat resistance
- Low warping
-
Printing Temperature: 230-250°C
-
Bed Temperature: 70-80°C
-
Best For:
- Functional parts
- Outdoor use
-
Food-safe applications (with proper treatment)
-
Purchase Options:
- OneTwo3D Filament Selection
- West3d Filament Selection
- Amazon PLA Filament Section
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)¶
- Properties:
- High heat resistance
- Durable
- Chemical resistant
- Prone to warping
- Printing Temperature: 230-250°C
- Bed Temperature: 90-110°C
- Best For:
- Mechanical parts
- Automotive applications
-
Heat-resistant items
-
Purchase Options:
- OneTwo3D Filament Selection
- West3d Filament Selection
- Amazon PLA Filament Section
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)¶
- Properties:
- Flexible
- Excellent impact resistance
- Abrasion resistant
- Challenging to print
- Printing Temperature: 220-250°C
- Bed Temperature: 50-60°C
- Best For:
- Flexible parts
- Vibration dampening
-
Protective cases
-
Purchase Options:
- OneTwo3D Filament Selection
- West3d Filament Selection
- Amazon PLA Filament Section
Recommendations¶
Storage¶
- Store filament in airtight containers with desiccant
- Keep away from humidity and direct sunlight
- Some filaments (Nylon, TPU) require active drying before printing
Printer Setup¶
- Use appropriate bed adhesion methods (PEI, glue stick, etc.)
- Consider enclosure for temperature-sensitive materials (ABS, Nylon)
- Adjust cooling fans based on material requirements
Print Settings¶
- Layer Height: 0.1-0.3mm depending on detail requirements
- Print Speed: Reduce for challenging materials
- Retraction: Adjust based on material stringing characteristics
- First Layer: Slower speed and higher temperature for better adhesion
Specialty Filaments¶
Carbon Fiber Reinforced¶
- Properties: Increased stiffness, dimensional stability
- Considerations: Abrasive to nozzles, requires hardened components
Wood-Filled¶
- Properties: Wood-like appearance and feel
- Considerations: Variable temperature printing for different "burn" effects
Metal-Filled¶
- Properties: Metallic appearance, increased weight
- Considerations: Highly abrasive, can be polished for metallic finish
Troubleshooting¶
Stringing¶
- Increase retraction distance
- Lower printing temperature
- Adjust travel speed
Warping¶
- Increase bed temperature
- Use enclosure for high-temperature materials
- Apply proper bed adhesion techniques
Moisture Issues¶
- Dry filament before printing
- Store properly
- Consider filament dryer for hygroscopic materials