5 Best Materials for 3D Printing
Each filament type brings unique properties, influencing the strength, flexibility, and finish of the printed objects. Understanding the best filament options is crucial for achieving desired results in various applications. This guide explores the top five filaments for 3D printing, highlighting their distinct characteristics and ideal uses. Whether you’re crafting intricate models, durable parts, or flexible components, selecting the right filament can significantly impact the quality and functionality of your creations.
1. Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Polylactic acid, commonly known as PLA, is the most widely used filament for 3D printing, particularly favored for its ease of use. Unlike most plastics, PLA is derived from corn starches, making it non-toxic and, theoretically, compostable with the aid of an industrial composter. It melts at a relatively low temperature, between 190 and 215 degrees Celsius (374 and 419 degrees Fahrenheit), making it one of the safest filaments to work with. Nearly all FDM 3D printers are compatible with PLA.
Pros:
- No unpleasant odor during printing
- User-friendly for beginners
- Widely available
- Non-toxic
- Compatible with any FDM printer
- Affordable
Cons:
- It may require extensive sanding
- Can warp in sunlight or high temperatures
- Can be brittle
Top PLA Filaments
1. Best Overall PLA: MatterHackers Build PLA
MatterHackers Build PLA is excellent for projects that need post-processing, such as sanding and painting. It's reliable for large projects like cosplay armor and props. The filament's dimensional accuracy is satisfactory, and it sands easily, holds paint well when properly primed, and works effectively with superglue and fillers like Bondo.
Price: $21.00
Purchase Link: Matterhackers.com.
2. Best Color: Flashforge Burnt Titanium PLA
This filament boasts a unique color with purple-blue-green hues, reminiscent of heated metal. It's easy to print with and effectively conceals layer lines, making it an ideal choice for unpainted projects.
Price: $21.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com.
3. Best Sparkly Filament: Inland Shimmer PLA
Inland Shimmer PLA: Image Source:cnet.com
Inland Shimmer PLA features gold and red highlights that mask layer lines, producing a beautiful shimmer. It's a favorite for its aesthetic appeal and reliable print quality.
Price: $24.00
Purchase Link: Microcenter.com.
4. Best for Fast Printers: Elegoo Rapid PLA Plus
Designed for high-speed printing, Elegoo Rapid PLA Plus excels due to its high fluidity when melted. It performs well on fast machines and is easy to sand for painting.
Price: $15.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com.
5. Best Color Shift: Ataraxia Art Tri-color PLA
Ataraxia Art’s tri-color PLA offers a striking effect with three colors along its width, creating a shimmering appearance. It’s ideal for non-painted projects and comes in four different color combinations.
Price: $32.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com.
6. Best Ice Cream-Themed: CookieCad Mint Chip
This filament resembles mint chocolate chip ice cream with marble-like flecks, delivering a glossy finish when printed at higher temperatures. It adds a cheerful aesthetic to any project.
Price: $35.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com.
7. Best Rainbow Filament: Creality Short Transition Rainbow
Creality's rainbow filament has shorter color transitions, resulting in a more vibrant rainbow effect across models, perfect for dynamic and colorful prints.
Price: $24.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com
8. Best for the Environment: Polymaker PolyTerra
PolyTerra features vivid matte colors that preserve details without shiny reflections. It comes on recycled cardboard reels, and Polymaker plants a tree for each roll purchased, making it an eco-friendly choice despite being plastic.
Price: $21.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com.
2. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS was among the most popular 3D printing filaments a few years ago, and it remains useful for certain applications today. The main drawback is its toxicity; inhaling ABS fumes during melting is harmful, necessitating a well-ventilated workspace. However, ABS is more durable and heat-resistant compared to PLA. While most 3D printers can handle ABS, optimal results require a heated bed that reaches 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) and an enclosed printing environment.
Pros:
- High heat resistance
- Easy to sand
- Can be polished to a perfect shine with acetone
Cons:
- Toxic fumes necessitate good ventilation
- Requires higher printing temperatures than PLA
- Needs an enclosure for optimal results
Top ABS Filaments
1. Affordable and Reliable-Inland 1.75mm Black ABS
Inland produces high-quality filament consistently, and their ABS is no exception. The dimensions are always accurate, resulting in finished products with consistent layer lines. Additionally, sanding Inland ABS is effortless, allowing for a smooth, polished finish when wet-sanded.
Price: $24.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com.
2. Vibrant and Durable- Fillamentum ExtraFill ABS
Fillamentum is a top choice for ABS filaments, known for their strikingly vibrant colors. Although it is slightly more expensive than other brands, it maintains its color intensity after printing. Fillamentum ABS is ideal for projects where you want to avoid painting, offering a vibrant finish right off the printer.
Price: $45.00
Purchase Link: Matterhackers.com.
3. Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)
PETG shares a chemical similarity with the plastic used for water and soft drink bottles and serves as an excellent alternative to ABS. It offers the heat-resistant qualities of ABS but without emitting toxic fumes, and it can be sanded similarly to PLA. Most FDM printers capable of printing PLA can also handle PETG, though it may require a bit more effort to perfect the process.
Pros:
- Easier to print than ABS
- Maintains a good finish
- Simpler to store compared to other filaments
Cons:
- Requires high temperatures, which can potentially harm printer components over time
Top Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) Filaments
1. Almost Like Glass- Protomaker Translucent PETG
This US-made PETG features an excellent glassy look, which is difficult to achieve with melted plastic. The subtle aqua color resembles stained glass when printed at high temperatures. It is easy to print, but the roll size may be too large for printers with enclosed filament systems like the Bambu Lab X1.
Price:$32.99
Purchase Link: Protomaker3d.com.
2. Glorious Colors- MatterHackers Pro Series PETG
The Pro Series filament offers higher quality than standard PETG. Priced slightly higher, it is designed to minimize common filament issues like shrinkage. Ideal for professional 3D model makers aiming for precise results.
Price: $57.00
Purchase Link: Matterhackers.com.
3. Stock up on your PETG-Overture PETG Filament 2-Pack
It is known for its economical two-pack, which is perfect for larger or multiple projects. It consistently prints well across various products, including PETG and PLA. It was successfully used to print an 11-foot-long Masamune sword, showcasing excellent results.
Price: $31.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com.
4. TPU
TPU, known for its flexibility, is ideal for crafting rubbery models. Commonly utilized for 3D printing phone cases, serious modelers employ it to fashion connectors or flexible hinges. Its use is most effective on a direct-drive 3D printer like the Prusa Mk4; however, it's incompatible with Bambu Lab's AMS system.
Pros:
- Flexibility
- Resistant to warping in high temperatures
Cons:
- Not suitable for producing solid prints
- It is challenging to work with inexpensive printers
Top TPU Filaments
1. MatterHackers Build Series TPU
MatterHackers Build Series Materials strike a perfect balance between usability and cost. Despite occasional failures, once properly adjusted to your printer, Build Series TPU can produce numerous springy models. It's ideal for creating durable toys for preschoolers that can withstand rough handling.
Price: $28.99
Purchase Link: Matterhackers.com
2. Inland Rainbow TPU
Inland's rainbow TPU offers a lot to appreciate. Its vibrant colors and smooth rainbow transitions create a beautiful appearance. This flexible filament is versatile enough to make phone cases and has a nearly translucent, glass-like appearance. It's particularly useful for projects that require a standout visual appeal.
Price: Price:$35.00
Purchase Link: Amazon.com
5. Nylon
Nylon, also known as polyamide, stands out as a highly utilized engineering thermoplastic due to its exceptional durability and resistance to wear. Among the various grades, PA 6 is particularly favored for 3D printing. While nylon boasts impact and wear resistance, it easily absorbs moisture and necessitates high printing temperatures, reaching up to 265 °C.
Here are some key points regarding nylon
1. Warping: Printing with nylon often leads to warping due to the elevated temperatures, necessitating a heated enclosure for optimal results.
2. Solubility: Nylon's hygroscopic nature causes it to expand in water, making substances like acetic acid and formic acid effective solvents.
3. Food safety: Certain nylon grades are deemed safe for food contact.
Pros :
- High durability and resilience
- Impressive flexibility-to-strength ratio
- Easily customizable with dyes
- UV resistant
- Superior chemical resistance compared to ABS or PLA filaments
Cons:
- Sensitivity to moisture, requiring careful storage
- Pre-print drying in an oven is necessary
- Initial layer warping may occur
- Limited shelf life of around 12 months for most nylon filaments
- Shrinking during cooling stages can reduce printing precision.
Top Nylon Filaments
1. Overture Nylon
Overture Nylon is a budget-friendly filament choice, especially appealing to newcomers seeking quality results without breaking the bank. Its anti-warping feature resolves many 3D printing challenges associated with nylon filament, and it's notably odorless. However, its slight brittleness means it might crack under specific pressures. Nonetheless, its affordability and minimal warping make it particularly suitable for beginners.
Key specifications include a nozzle temperature range of 250-270 °C, bed temperature range of 25-50 °C, and filament diameter of 1.75 mm.
Price: $30
Purchase Link: Amazon.in
2. eSun ePA Nylon filament
It offers a decent balance of quality and durability, being flame retardant with a UL94-V2 rating. While it comes in a natural color ideal for painting, it struggles with warping and sharp corner printing. Remedies like using a brim and a PVA glue stick on the bed surface can alleviate these issues. For larger prints, increasing the brim thickness and flow rate is advisable.
Its specifications include a nozzle temperature range of 230-260 °C, a bed temperature of 80 °C, and a filament diameter of 1.75 mm.
Price: $32
Purchase Link: Amazon.in.
Having looked at the best filaments for 3D printing, it’s important to have a look at the best 3D printing software. There are many that are available but recommend using SelfCAD. SelfCAD is one of the easiest 3D design software that comes with 3D printing tools. Some of the 3D modeling tools available include freehand drawing and sketching, image to 3D model for turning photos to 3D models, powerful 3D sculpting brushes, and various modification and deformation tools to bring your ideas to life.
In addition to the ability to create 3D models from scratch, you can also import files designed in other programs and modify them based on your needs in SelfCAD. For example, when you want to do multi-color 3D printing and want to add different colors to your designs, you can do so easily in SelfCAD, as demonstrated in the video below.
For 3D printing, there is the magic fix that helps in fixing non-manifold meshes and ensuring that your designs are ready for 3D printing. Hence, you don’t need to switch to other mesh editing software like Meshmixer. Learn how the magic fix tool of SelfCAD works in the video below.
SelfCAD also comes with its own in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your 3D models and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. Get to know how SelfCAD slicer works in the video below.
SelfCAD comes with many resources for learning like the interactive tutorials that help you learn the various tools of SelfCAD by actually designing 3D models. There is also SelfCAD academy for those who like step-by-step courses. If you would like to learn by watching videos, there are many available on YouTube, like 3D modeling tutorials for beginners, as well as 3D modeling 101 series.
Elevate Your 3D Printing with the Right Filament
These top five filaments for 3D printing stand out for their diverse applications and exceptional properties. From the strength of PETG to the versatility of PLA and ABS, these filaments offer enthusiasts and professionals the tools they need to bring their creative visions to life with precision and reliability.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.