3D printing using FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) technology has become an essential tool for product development, rapid prototyping, and small-scale manufacturing. One of the most important determinants of success in any project is the choice of the right 3D printing filament.
Each type of filament has unique properties that make it more or less suitable for certain uses. In this article, we will explain in depth the most common types, their real-world applications and practical examples to help you decide.
Types, actual uses and how to choose the most suitable one
1. PLA (Polylactic Acid)
PLA is the most popular filament among beginners and also widely used in the early stages of product development.
Advantages:
- Easy to print.
- No need for a warm bed.
- Biodegradable (from corn or sugar cane).
- Little warping.
Disadvantages:
- Low mechanical and thermal resistance.
- May become brittle in humid or hot environments.
Real example: A startup designs a new eco-friendly packaging for solid cosmetics. It uses PLA to print the first prototypes and validate design and ergonomics with potential users. They do not yet need functional parts, only aesthetic and presentation parts.
2. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Material widely used in automotive and electronics. More complex to print than PLA, but with better technical properties.
Advantages:
- High impact resistance.
- Tolerant to higher temperatures.
- Can be post-processed with acetone for a smooth finish.
Disadvantages:
- Requires hot bed and preferably closed printer.
- Emits vapours that require adequate ventilation.
Real example: An urban mobility company prints the shells of its electric scooter prototypes in ABS to test their resistance to urban use and light impacts before moving on to final moulds.
3. PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycolised)
PETG is a balance between PLA and ABS: easy to print, but with more technical properties.
Advantages:
- Mechanical and chemical resistance.
- More flexible than PLA, easier than ABS.
- Suitable for food contact applications (in some cases).
Disadvantages:
- More prone to stringing if parameters are not set properly.
Real example: A startup that manufactures hydroponic growing systems produces fittings, supports and conduits with PETG to ensure they can withstand water and moisture without degrading.
4. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
TPU is a flexible filament, ideal for parts requiring elasticity or friction resistance.
Advantages:
- Highly flexible and abrasion resistant.
- Ideal for parts that need to bend or absorb impacts.
Disadvantages:
- More difficult to print (sensitivity to shrinkage and speed).
- You need well-calibrated printers.
Actual example: A sports footwear project prints soles and flexible parts with TPU to test ergonomics and grip before launching a final industrial version.
5. Nylon (Polyamide)
Technical material par excellence. High mechanical strength, good flexibility, and withstands high temperatures.
Advantages:
- Ideal for mechanical parts requiring friction or tension.
- High durability and impact resistance.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to print (high temperature, needs hot bed).
- Hygroscopic: absorbs moisture from the environment.
Real example: An educational robotics company prints gears and moving robot parts with Nylon to ensure strength in the classroom without breakage.
6. Filaments with fillers: wood, carbon fibre, metals
These are composite filaments, usually based on PLA or PETG, with additives to improve aesthetics or mechanical properties.
Common types:
- PLA + carbon fibre: more rigidity and strength.
- PLA + wood: natural aesthetics, can be sanded and varnished.
- PLA + metals (bronze, copper...): metallic appearance, more weight.
Advantages:
- Unique properties (weight, stiffness, texture, appearance).
- Attractive product design.
Disadvantages:
- More abrasives for the nozzle: requires hardened nozzles.
Real example: A design studio prints decorative products with wood-filled PLA to show its customers a realistic and sustainable finish, saving costs in the aesthetic validation phase.
How to choose the right filament for your 3D print
- Define the use of the piece: decorative, structural, elastic, functional...
- Assess the environment where it will be used: indoors, outdoors, with friction, contact with foodstuffs...
- Analyse the budget: not all materials have the same cost per kilo.
- Evaluate your printer: not all printers can print TPU or Nylon without modification.
Choosing the right 3D printing filament is a critical part of the 3D printing process. of the success of any development. It is not just a matter of «the part coming out», but of it making sense within the process: saving costs, avoiding errors and anticipating the next step in the product.
At Additium 3D, we work with startups and companies to accompany them from the idea to actual manufacturing, choosing the right materials and technologies for each stage. If you have doubts about which filament to use, or if you need to prototype with technical materials, we can help you.
There are many types of filaments, each with specific properties. The most common are:
PLA (Polylactic Acid): Biodegradable, easy to print, ideal for decorative parts and rapid prototyping.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Impact and heat resistant, suitable for functional parts.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycolised): Combines the ease of PLA with the strength of ABS. Suitable for mechanical parts.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): Flexible, used in parts requiring elasticity, such as casings or gaskets.
Nylon: High mechanical strength and flexibility. Perfect for technical parts under stress.
ASA: Similar to ABS, but with better weather and UV resistance.
PC (Polycarbonate): Very tough and rigid, withstands high temperatures. Used in engineering and electronics.
Composite filaments (wood, metal, carbon fibre, etc.): PLA or ABS with special fillers that simulate or provide additional properties.
The basic filaments - i.e. the most commonly used because of their ease of use and contained cost - are:
PLA: Ideal for beginners. It does not need a hot bed and has a good quality finish.
PETG: A step beyond PLA, stronger and more durable, but just as easy to print.
ABS: Although it requires higher temperature and can generate warping, it is still a classic for its resistance.
These three materials cover most needs for prototypes, decorative parts, functional elements or even low stress end products.
There is no universal “best filament”. It depends on what and how you are going to use it. Here are some criteria:
For starters or decorative parts: PLA.
For mechanical or functional parts: PETG or ABS.
For flexibility: TPU.
For outdoor weather resistance: ASA.
For technical precision or high mechanical demands: Nylon or Polycarbonate.
For different aesthetic finishes: PLA with wood, metal or marble filler.
The most important thing is to align the filament with the end use of the product and the capabilities of your printer.
The yield of 1 kg of filament depends on the material, the design and the printing parameters (fill density, layer thickness, etc.). But here are some approximate examples:
Decorative figures or small prototypes (10-15 cm): One kilo of PLA can yield 20-40 pieces.
Technical parts with more infill (30-50%): You can print about 10-20 medium-sized parts.
Large parts with dense filler or heavier materials such as ABS or PETG: throughput may drop to 5-10 large parts.
In general, 1 kg of filament yields between 90 and 130 linear metres, depending on the diameter (1.75 mm is the most common).
