FDM Filaments: Which Material Should You Choose?

You have your FDM printer, you've made the settings, your first prints are successful. Now the biggest question comes: Which filament should I use? Dozens of different plastic types on the shelves, each with different colors and properties... PLA, ABS, or PETG? Or TPU, Nylon, even carbon fiber reinforced composites?

Filament selection directly affects print quality and part usability. Wrong material choice leads to failed prints, time loss, and disappointment. In this guide, we'll compare the most common FDM filaments and explain which material is suitable for which application.

The Popular Three: PLA, ABS, PETG

PLA (Polylactic Acid) - Beginner Friendly

When to Use: Visual models, prototypes, hobby projects, education, decorative objects

Advantages:

• Easiest filament to print
• Low printing temperature (190-220°C)
• No warping, heated bed optional
• No odor, non-toxic
• Bio-based (corn starch)
• Bright colors and surface quality
• Cheap (300-500 TL/kg)

Disadvantages:

• Low heat resistance (deforms at 60°C)
• Brittle, low impact resistance
• UV sensitive (yellows in sun)
• Absorbs moisture (becomes brittle over time)

Print Settings:

• Print temperature: 200-215°C
• Bed temperature: 50-60°C (or none)
• Speed: 50-80 mm/s
• Cooling fan: 100%

Real World Use:

• Prototypes and concept models
• Toys and figures
• Decorative objects
• Educational materials
• Indoor use

PLA+ and PLA Pro: Improved versions of regular PLA. More durable, less brittle, slightly more heat resistant. 10-20% more expensive but worth it.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) - Durable Option

When to Use: Functional parts, mechanical components, automotive spare parts, objects exposed to heat

Advantages:

• High heat resistance (up to 100°C)
• Impact resistant, flexible (doesn't break)
• Smooth surface with acetone vapor (smoothing)
• Strong layer bonding
• Long-lasting

Disadvantages:

• Warping problem (corners lift)
• Produces odor, needs good ventilation
• Enclosed chamber mandatory (temperature control)
• Difficult to print, requires experience
• Not eco-friendly

Print Settings:

• Print temperature: 230-250°C
• Bed temperature: 90-110°C (mandatory)
• Speed: 40-60 mm/s
• Cooling fan: 0-20%
• Enclosed chamber: Highly recommended

Real World Use:

• Automotive parts
• Machine housings
• Jigs and fixtures
• Outdoor objects (ASA preferred)
• Functional assembly parts

ASA (ABS's UV Resistant Brother): Similar to ABS but UV resistant. Ideal for outdoor use. Slightly more expensive.

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) - The Golden Middle

When to Use: Functional parts, food-contact products, mechanical parts, objects like water bottles

Advantages:

• As easy as PLA, as durable as ABS
• Medium heat resistance (80°C)
• Chemical resistance (alcohol, acid)
• Transparent variants available
• No odor
• Food-safe
• Flexible and impact resistant

Disadvantages:

• Stringing (thread-like connections)
• Sticky to nozzle (requires cleaning)
• Matte surface (not as glossy as PLA)
• Some warping (less than ABS)

Print Settings:

• Print temperature: 230-250°C
• Bed temperature: 70-80°C
• Speed: 40-60 mm/s
• Cooling fan: 30-50%
• Retraction: Good adjustment needed (for stringing)

Real World Use:

• Water bottles, cups
• Mechanical parts (gears, brackets)
• Phone cases
• Transparent covers
• Functional prototypes

PETG is the Perfect Balance of PLA and ABS: Best "all-around" filament for most users. If you don't know what to do, choose PETG.

Comparison Table

Special Filaments: Expert Level

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) - Flexible Filament

Properties:

• Rubber-like flexibility
• Shore 85A - 95A hardness
• Impact absorbing
• Wear resistant

When to Use:

• Phone cases
• Gaskets and seals
• Soles and grips
• Impact absorbing parts

Print Tips:

• Very slow printing (20-40 mm/s)
• Direct drive extruder preferred
• Difficult with Bowden
• Minimum retraction

Price: 600-900 TL/kg

Nylon (Polyamide) - Industrial Strength

Properties:

• Very high strength
• Super resistant to wear
• Somewhat flexible but very strong
• Chemical resistance

When to Use:

• Gears and bearings
• Beds and joints
• Parts under mechanical stress
• Areas with wear

Challenges:

• Absorbs moisture A LOT (drying mandatory)
• High print temperature (240-270°C)
• Warping problem
• Bed adhesion difficult

Price: 700-1200 TL/kg

PC (Polycarbonate) - Impact Champion

Properties:

• Extreme impact resistance
• High heat resistance (140°C)
• Transparent
• Very strong

When to Use:

• Protective equipment
• Security shields
• High temperature applications
• Mechanical stress

Challenges:

• Very high temperature (260-310°C)
• Absorbs moisture
• Bed adhesion difficult
• All-metal hotend required

Price: 900-1500 TL/kg

Composite Filaments: Special Appearance and Properties

Carbon Fiber - Light and Strong

Property: PLA/PETG + 10-20% carbon fiber

Advantages:

• High strength/weight ratio
• Hard and rigid
• Low warping
• Matte black surface

Disadvantage:

• Abrasive (hardened steel nozzle required)
• Expensive (1000-1500 TL/kg)

Use: Drone parts, RC vehicles, light structural parts

Wood Fill - Natural Appearance

Property: PLA + 20-40% wood dust

Advantages:

• Wood appearance and texture
• Sandable
• Natural scent
• Can be varnished

Disadvantage:

• Brittle
• Nozzle can clog (0.5mm+ recommended)

Use: Decorative objects, sculptures, furniture accessories

Price: 500-800 TL/kg

Metal Fill - Metallic Effect

Types: Copper, Brass, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Magnetic

Property: PLA + 40-80% metal powder

Advantages:

• Metal appearance and weight
• Polishable (real metal shine)
• Some are magnetic

Disadvantage:

• Very heavy
• Abrasive
• Expensive (1200-2000 TL/kg)

Use: Figurines, awards, artwork, replicas

Material Selection Criteria

1. Purpose of Use

Visual/Decorative? → PLA (easy, beautiful colors)

Functional/Mechanical? → PETG, ABS, Nylon

Need flexibility? → TPU

High heat? → ABS, PC, Nylon

Outdoor? → ASA, PETG

2. Your Experience Level

Beginner: PLA, PLA+ Intermediate: PETG, TPU Advanced: ABS, Nylon, PC

3. Printer Capabilities

Basic Printer (no enclosed chamber): → PLA, PETG

Heated bed + Enclosed chamber: → ABS, ASA

All-metal hotend (300°C+): → PC, Nylon, PEEK

4. Budget

Economical: PLA (300-500 TL/kg) Medium: PETG, ABS (400-600 TL/kg) Premium: Nylon, TPU, PC (700-1500 TL/kg) Special: Composites, PEEK (1000-3000 TL/kg)

Filament Storage and Maintenance

Moisture Is Your Enemy

Filaments, especially PLA, Nylon and TPU, absorb moisture. Moist filament:

• Creates stringing
• Forms bubbles
• Reduces print quality
• Becomes brittle

Proper Storage

1. Vacuum Bags Store in vacuum bags with silica gel packets.

2. Desiccant Boxes In lidded plastic boxes with plenty of silica gel.

3. Dry Box Special filament boxes with drying system (1000-2000 TL)

4. During Use Dry box can be mounted on some printers.

How to Dry Moist Filament?

Oven Method:

• PLA: 50°C, 4-6 hours
• PETG: 65°C, 4-6 hours
• Nylon: 80°C, 6-8 hours
• ABS: 80°C, 4-6 hours

Filament Dryer: Special devices available (500-1500 TL). Both dries and can be used mounted on printer.

Warning: Too high temperature won't melt filament but can deform it.

Color and Brand Mixing

When Changing Colors: Light to dark transition is easy. Dark to light is difficult - nozzle cleaning required. You'll especially struggle when switching to white.

When Changing Brands: Each brand's recipe is different. Temperature and flow settings may change. Calibrate.

Conclusion: Right Filament, Successful Print

Filament selection is like the heart of 3D printing. Wrong material gives bad results despite perfect settings. Right material provides good prints even with medium settings.

General Recommendations:

• Start: Begin with PLA, learn, gain experience.
• Progress: Move to PETG, print functional parts.
• Specialize: Try ABS, TPU, Nylon based on needs.
• Invest: Good storage system, dryer, silica gel - these pay for themselves many times over.

In our next article, we'll look at resin types and applications. Standard, tough, flexible, dental resins... Which resin for which job? We'll examine them all.