The Best Filaments for Functional 3D Prints
Not all 3D printing materials are created equal. When you need parts that perform under stress or in specific environments, choosing the right filament is crucial. Here's a guide to selecting materials for functional prints.
PETG: The Versatile Workhorse
Ideal for: General-purpose functional parts, outdoor use, food-safe applications (with proper post-processing)
Properties: - Excellent layer adhesion and strength - Good impact resistance - Weather resistant - Temperature resistant up to 80°C - Low shrinkage and warping - Relatively easy to print
PETG combines many of PLA's printing advantages with significantly better durability, making it perfect for parts like enclosures, tool holders, and mechanical components.
Nylon: When Toughness is Critical
Ideal for: Moving parts, gears, hinges, snap-fits, tools
Properties: - Exceptional toughness and durability - Excellent wear resistance - Good flexibility without breaking - High temperature resistance (80-100°C) - Low friction coefficient
The caveat: Nylon is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture) and can be challenging to print. Always dry before printing and consider using an enclosure.
TPU/TPE: Flexible Solutions
Ideal for: Gaskets, grips, protective cases, vibration dampeners
Properties: - Rubber-like flexibility (various shore hardness available) - Excellent impact absorption - Good abrasion resistance - Chemical resistance - Stretchy but returns to shape
TPU's flexibility makes it perfect when you need parts that compress, stretch, or absorb impact. Shore hardness values (e.g., 95A vs 85A) indicate stiffness.
Polycarbonate (PC): Engineering-Grade Strength
Ideal for: High-strength components, transparent parts, high-temperature applications
Properties: - Extremely high impact strength - Optical clarity - Heat resistant up to 110-115°C - Excellent rigidity - UV resistant
PC requires high temperatures (250-300°C) to print properly and benefits greatly from an enclosure to prevent warping.
Carbon Fiber Composites: Rigidity Without Weight
Ideal for: Drone parts, robotics, structural components
Properties: - Significantly increased stiffness - Reduced weight compared to pure plastics - Minimal flex and deformation - Improved dimensional stability - Unique matte finish
Carbon fiber composites (like CF-PLA, CF-PETG, or CF-Nylon) provide rigidity with less material, but are abrasive and require hardened nozzles.
ASA: Outdoor Durability
Ideal for: Exterior parts, UV-exposed components, automotive applications
Properties: - Excellent UV resistance (doesn't yellow or degrade) - Weather resistant - Impact resistant - Heat resistant up to 90-100°C - Matte finish with good aesthetics
Similar to ABS but with superior weather resistance, ASA is perfect for outdoor installations.
Material Selection Tips
When choosing your material, consider these factors:
- Environmental conditions: Temperature, UV exposure, moisture
- Mechanical requirements: Flexibility, impact resistance, weight
- Printing difficulty: Some materials need enclosures or special hardware
- Post-processing needs: Will the part need to be finished or treated?
- Cost: Specialty filaments can cost 3-5x more than basic PLA
Test your critical parts with small samples before committing to a full print. This ensures the material properties meet your specific requirements.