3D Printer Filament

3D printer filament is the core consumable in FDM/FFF printing. It is a thermoplastic material fed into the extruder, melted in the hotend, and deposited through the nozzle to build parts layer by layer. The type and quality of filament directly affects strength, flexibility, surface finish, heat resistance, dimensional accuracy, and print reliability.

This guide covers the most common 3D printing materials, filament sizes, material properties, applications, storage and drying, common problems, and how to choose the best 3D printer filament for your use case.

What Is 3D Printer Filament?

3D printer filament is a thermoplastic supplied on a spool. The printer:

Feeds filament using the extruder
Melts it in the hotend
Extrudes it through the nozzle
Builds the object layer by layer

Why Filament Choice Matters

Mechanical performance: strength, toughness, flexibility
Surface finish: appearance and smoothness
Functional properties: heat resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance
Print reliability: clogging risk, warping behavior, layer adhesion
Material compatibility: some engineering filaments need all-metal hotends and heated beds

Common Filament Sizes

1.75mm Filament

The most widely used diameter.

Advantages

Better extrusion control
Faster heating response
Broad compatibility

2.85mm Filament

Used in some professional and industrial printers.

Benefits

Stable feed in certain high-flow systems
Common in specific printer ecosystems

Types of 3D Printer Filaments

PLA Filament

PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament is the most widely used 3D printing material because it is easy to print and environmentally friendly. It offers good surface finish, low warping, and works well for prototypes, toys, decorative models, and educational projects. PLA is available in 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm diameters, with 1.75 mm being the most common.

Easy to print
Low warping
Good surface finish
Widely available

Applications

Prototypes
Decorative models
Education projects

Limitations

Lower heat resistance
Less durable than many engineering filaments

PETG Filament

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) filament is a strong and durable 3D printing material that combines the ease of PLA with the strength of ABS. It offers good layer adhesion, chemical resistance, and flexibility, making it suitable for functional parts, mechanical components, and outdoor applications. PETG produces less warping than ABS and is commonly available in 1.75 mm filament size.

Benefits

Strong layer adhesion
Moisture and chemical resistance
Durable for functional parts

Applications

Functional parts
Mechanical components
Containers and brackets

ABS Filament

Advantages

Good impact strength
Higher heat resistance
Durable functional performance

Applications

Tooling and fixtures
Automotive-related parts
Engineering prototypes

Limitations

Warping risk
Often needs heated bed/enclosure
Fumes require ventilation

TPU Filament (Flexible Filament)

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) filament is a flexible and rubber-like 3D printing material known for its elasticity, durability, and impact resistance. It is commonly used for phone cases, seals, wearable parts, wheels, and shock-absorbing components. TPU prints best at slower speeds and provides excellent flexibility while maintaining good layer adhesion.

Benefits

Elastic and tough
Wear resistant
Shock absorbing

Applications

Phone cases
Gaskets and seals
Flexible mechanical parts

Nylon Filament

A strong engineering filament known for toughness and wear resistance.

High strength and durability
Excellent wear resistance
Good flexibility under load

Applications

Gears
Bushings/bearings
Functional industrial parts

Polycarbonate Filament

A high-temperature filament for demanding mechanical use.

Benefits

Very high strength
Excellent heat resistance
High impact resistance

Applications

Industrial parts
Mechanical components
Aerospace and tooling (printer capability dependent)

Carbon Fiber Filament

Composite material (polymer + carbon fibers) for stiffness and strength.

Advantages

Lightweight and rigid
Good dimensional stability
Professional surface finish

Applications

Drone and RC parts
Automotive components
Engineering prototypes

Source : https://www.3ds.com/make/solutions/blog/types-3d-printer-filaments

Filament Properties Comparison

Filament	Strength	Flexibility	Ease of Printing	Heat Resistance
PLA	Moderate	Low	Very easy	Low
PETG	High	Moderate	Easy	Moderate
ABS	High	Moderate	Moderate	High
TPU	Moderate	Very high	Moderate	Moderate
Nylon	Very high	High	Difficult	High
Polycarbonate	Extremely high	Moderate	Advanced	Very high