PLA
very easyModels, figures, prototypes, decor, everyday objects not exposed to heat
Nozzle (°C): 190–230 · Bed (°C): 25–65
View details →Filament Materials Compared
Which filament fits your project? Properties, print settings and difficulty of all common materials – each with its own detail page.
Standard & PLA variants
PLA+ / PLA Pro / Tough PLA
very easyFunctional parts needing more impact toughness, holders, housings
Nozzle (°C): 190–230 · Bed (°C): 25–65
View details →Silk PLA
very easyVases, decor, figures, gifts – anything that should shine
Nozzle (°C): 190–230 · Bed (°C): 25–65
View details →Matte PLA
very easyDisplay parts, housings, cosplay, photo props
Nozzle (°C): 190–230 · Bed (°C): 25–65
View details →HT-PLA (heat-resistant PLA)
easyParts that should withstand ca. 100 °C after annealing
Nozzle (°C): 190–230 (per manufacturer) · Bed (°C): 55–65
View details →LW-PLA (lightweight / foaming PLA)
mediumModel aircraft, light housings and decor
Nozzle (°C): 210–250 · Bed (°C): 25–60
View details →Engineering
PETG
easyFunctional parts, brackets, containers, limited outdoor use, watertight parts
Nozzle (°C): 230–270 · Bed (°C): 60–80
View details →ABS
mediumMechanically stressed parts, housings, heat-exposed parts; smoothable with acetone
Nozzle (°C): 240–280 · Bed (°C): 90–100
View details →ASA
mediumOutdoor: garden parts, brackets, car accessories, housings in sunlight
Nozzle (°C): 240–280 · Bed (°C): 75–100
View details →PC (polycarbonate)
demandingHeat and impact loaded parts: fan shrouds, levers, housings, hinges
Nozzle (°C): 260–290 · Bed (°C): 100–120
View details →PA / Nylon (unfilled)
demandingGears, bearings, hinges, tool and machine parts
Nozzle (°C): approx. 260–285 · Bed (°C): approx. 100–110
View details →PP (polypropylene)
experts onlyContainers, lab parts, chemical-resistant and food-adjacent parts, living hinges
Nozzle (°C): 220–270 · Bed (°C): 80–105
View details →Flexible
TPU 95A (flexible)
mediumSeals, bumpers, cases, hoses, wheel tyres, dampers
Nozzle (°C): 210–240 · Bed (°C): 25–60
View details →Soft TPU (60A–90A)
demandingVery soft seals, grips, shoe soles, stamps
Nozzle (°C): 230–245 · Bed (°C): 60–75
View details →Fibre composites (carbon/glass)
PLA-CF (carbon fibre PLA)
easyStiff light parts, drone/RC parts, matte technical look
Nozzle (°C): 210–240 · Bed (°C): 45–65
View details →PETG-CF (carbon fibre PETG)
easyStiff technical parts, brackets, jigs
Nozzle (°C): 240–270 · Bed (°C): 60–80
View details →PA-CF (carbon fibre nylon: PA6-CF, PAHT-CF, PA11-CF)
demandingLoad-bearing technical parts: brackets, jigs, engine/machine parts, drones
Nozzle (°C): 260–300 · Bed (°C): 100–120
View details →PA-GF (glass fibre nylon)
demandingStiff heat-resistant parts; glass fibre is less conductive than carbon
Nozzle (°C): 260–300 (per manufacturer) · Bed (°C): 80–120
View details →PET-CF / PET-GF
demandingHeat and dimensionally stable technical parts, less moisture-sensitive than nylon
Nozzle (°C): 260–300 · Bed (°C): 70–100
View details →Effect (wood, metal, glow)
Wood filament (wood PLA)
easyDecor, signs, jewellery, housings with a wood look; can be sanded and stained
Nozzle (°C): 190–210 (PolyWood); wood-powder filaments often up to 220 · Bed (°C): 25–60
View details →Metal-filled filament
mediumDisplay/decor parts with a metal look, polishable
Nozzle (°C): 190–270 (depending on base) · Bed (°C): 60–100
View details →Glow-in-the-dark
easyDecor, toys, emergency/orientation markers
Nozzle (°C): as base material (PLA/PETG) · Bed (°C): as base material
View details →Support (soluble)
PVA / BVOH (water-soluble)
demandingSupport material for complex overhangs (multi-material / dual nozzle)
Nozzle (°C): 195 (PVA+) / 215 (BVOH) · Bed (°C): 60
View details →HIPS (limonene-soluble)
mediumSoluble support for PETG; light, sandable
Nozzle (°C): 225–255 · Bed (°C): 100–110
View details →High-performance
High-performance: PEI (Ultem), PPS, PEEK, PEKK, PSU
experts onlyAerospace, industry, extreme heat and chemicals
Nozzle (°C): well above 300 (per manufacturer) · Bed (°C): per manufacturer (heated chamber)
View details →Values are guidelines from manufacturer datasheets (Polymaker, Bambu Lab, Prusa). They may differ by manufacturer, colour and print settings.