Materials

ABS density, nozzle and bed temperature, whether you need an enclosure, and when ABS is worth it over PLA/PETG — including its impact on print cost.

ASA density, nozzle and bed temperature, how it differs from ABS, and when ASA is the right choice for outdoor 3D printed parts.

Nylon (PA) density, nozzle and bed temperature, drying before printing and when an engineering plastic pays off — a reference for 3D print cost calculation.

Polycarbonate density, nozzle and bed temperature, how it outperforms ABS in strength and heat resistance — a reference for 3D print cost calculation.

PETG density, nozzle and bed temperature, impact and heat resistance — when PETG is worth choosing over PLA, and how it affects your 3D print cost.

PLA density, nozzle and bed temperature, which parts it suits and when PETG or ABS is the better pick — a reference guide for 3D print cost calculation.

PP is a lightweight, chemically resistant plastic with tricky adhesion while printing. Density, nozzle and bed temperature, fighting warping — a reference for print cost calculation.

TPU density, nozzle and bed temperature, which parts call for flexible filament and what to watch for while printing — a reference for print cost calculation.

ABS-CF is carbon-fiber ABS with high stiffness and minimal shrinkage, abrasive to the nozzle. Density, print temperatures and when it's worth it.

ABS-GF is glass-fiber ABS with higher stiffness and reduced shrinkage compared to plain ABS. Density, print temperatures, and when it's worth it.

ASA-CF is ASA with carbon fiber: higher stiffness and dimensional stability, needs an abrasion-resistant nozzle. Density ≈1.15 g/cm³, printed at 250–270°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

ASA-GF is ASA with glass fiber: higher stiffness and heat resistance at a lower price than ASA-CF. Density ≈1.20 g/cm³, printed at 250–270°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

PA-CF is nylon reinforced with chopped carbon fiber: high stiffness and minimal warping at the cost of nozzle abrasiveness. Density, print temperatures, when to choose it.

PA-GF is nylon reinforced with glass fiber: stiffness and low shrinkage cheaper than carbon-fiber alternatives. Category overview, density and print temperatures.

PA6-GF is nylon reinforced with glass fiber: high stiffness and heat resistance. Density, print temperature, nozzle requirements — a reference for print cost calculation.

PC-CF is carbon-filled polycarbonate with the highest stiffness among PC materials, and nozzle abrasiveness. Density, print temperatures, applications.

PC-GF is glass-filled polycarbonate with higher stiffness and less shrinkage than plain PC. Density, print temperatures 270–300°C, and applications.

PETG-CF is PETG reinforced with carbon fiber: higher stiffness, matte surface. Density, print temperature, nozzle requirements — a cost-calculation reference.

PETG-GF (glass-fiber PETG) is glass-reinforced PETG with higher stiffness and less warping. Density, print temperature, nozzle wear — a cost-calculation reference.

PLA-CF (carbon-fiber PLA) is PLA reinforced with short carbon fibers, offering higher stiffness and a matte surface. Density, print temperature, nozzle wear — a reference for print cost calculation.

PLA-GF (glass-fiber PLA) is glass-reinforced PLA with high stiffness at a lower price than carbon-fiber alternatives. Density, print temperature, nozzle wear — a reference for print cost calculation.

PP-CF is polypropylene with carbon fiber: much higher stiffness while retaining PP's lightness and chemical resistance. Density ≈1.03 g/cm³, printed at 220–250°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

PP-GF is polypropylene with glass fiber: higher stiffness and dimensional stability, cheaper than PP-CF. Density ≈1.08 g/cm³, printed at 220–250°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

ABS+ is a reinforced ABS formula that's less prone to delamination and warping. Density ≈1.05 g/cm³, printed at 230–250°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

PA-FR is a flame-retardant nylon for electrical and transportation parts with fire-safety requirements. Density ≈1.18 g/cm³, printed at 260–280°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

PA12 is an engineering nylon with low moisture absorption. Density, nozzle and bed temperature, drying requirements — a reference for print cost calculation.

PA6 is a base engineering nylon with high impact toughness and wear resistance, but strong moisture absorption. Density, nozzle and bed temperature, drying requirements.

PC-ABS combines ABS's impact resistance with PC's heat resistance. Density, nozzle and bed temperature, enclosure requirements — a reference for print cost calculation.

PC-FR is a flame-retardant polycarbonate for electrical and aviation parts with fire-safety requirements. Density ≈1.22 g/cm³, printed at 270–300°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

PEEK is a high-temperature thermoplastic for aviation and medicine, requiring a 380–420°C nozzle and an enclosure. Density, print temperatures, and when it's actually needed.

PEI (Ultem) is a self-extinguishing, heat-resistant aviation-grade plastic, printed at 360–400°C with an enclosure. Density, temperatures, and when it's actually needed.

PEKK is a high-temperature ketone-family plastic close to PEEK in properties, but a bit more forgiving to print. Density, print temperatures, and when it's actually needed.

PETT is an early PET-based filament, a predecessor to PETG. Density ≈1.27 g/cm³, printed at 220–240°C — this reference explains how it differs from PETG and where it still shows up.

POM is a low-friction engineering plastic for gears and plain bearings, printed without bed heating. Density, temperatures, and print peculiarities.

PPS is a chemically resistant, heat-resistant plastic for aggressive environments, printed at 300–330°C. Density, temperatures, when to choose it over PEEK or PPSU.

PPSU is a transparent, impact-resistant thermoplastic that withstands hundreds of autoclave cycles. Density, print temperatures 360–390°C, and when it's worth it.

PVDF is a fluoropolymer with exceptional chemical and UV resistance, heavier than most plastics. Density 1.78 g/cm³, print temperatures, and when it's worth it.

SAN is a transparent rigid plastic between ABS and polystyrene in scratch and chemical resistance. Density, print temperatures, and when to choose it.

High Temp PLA is PLA with elevated softening temperature after annealing in an oven. Density, print temperature, the annealing process — a reference for print cost calculation.

Matte PLA is PLA with additives that suppress gloss and layer lines. Density, print temperature, when a matte surface is worth it — a reference for print cost calculation.

PETG FR (flame-retardant/self-extinguishing PETG) is PETG with flame-retardant additives for UL94 V-0 certification. Density, print temperature, when fire resistance is actually needed — a cost-calculation reference.

PETG-HT (high-temperature PETG) is a modified copolyester with elevated softening temperature, closer to polycarbonate. Density, print temperature, when the premium is worth it — a cost-calculation reference.

PLA Conductive is PLA with a carbon-particle filler for low-voltage sensing and antistatic applications. Density, print temperature, current limitations — a reference for print cost calculation.

PLA Food Safe is PLA made from feedstock certified for food contact, but real safety of the printed part depends on layer porosity. Density, print temperature, certification nuances — a reference for print cost calculation.

PLA Magnetic is PLA with a ferromagnetic filler (iron powder) that's attracted to magnets. Density, print temperature, corrosion risk — a reference for print cost calculation.

PLA Tough / PLA Strong is an engineering PLA formula with impact resistance verified by standards, unlike the vague marketing term PLA+. Density, print temperature, differences — a reference for print cost calculation.

PLA-Metal / MetalFill is heavy PLA with a metal filler (bronze, copper, steel) that looks like cast metal after polishing. Density, print temperature, polishing — a reference for print cost calculation.

PLA-Wood / WoodFill is PLA with a wood filler that gives a wood texture and smell while printing. Density, print temperature, post-processing specifics — a reference for print cost calculation.

PLA+ (PLA Plus) is a reinforced PLA formula with noticeably higher impact resistance. Density, print temperature, differences from classic PLA — a reference for print cost calculation.

Recycled PETG / rPETG is PETG reclaimed from industrial waste or bottle rPET. Density, print temperature, batch-to-batch quality variation — a cost-calculation reference.

Recycled PLA / rPLA is PLA reclaimed from manufacturing waste or used spools. Density, print temperature, batch-to-batch quality variation — a reference for print cost calculation.

Silk PLA is modified PLA with a high-gloss pearlescent surface. Density, print temperature, tendency toward stringing — a reference for print cost calculation.

TPA is a flexible nylon elastomer with high oil resistance and wear resistance. Density ≈1.02 g/cm³, printed at 230–250°C at low speed — a reference for print cost calculation.

TPC is a rigid thermoplastic copolyester elastomer with high heat resistance that holds shape better than TPU and TPE. Density ≈1.22 g/cm³, printed at 220–245°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

TPE is a soft, affordable entry-level elastomer for flexible parts. Density ≈1.20 g/cm³, printed at 210–230°C at low speed — a reference for print cost calculation.

BVOH is a water-soluble support material, less hygroscopic and dissolves faster than PVA, but more expensive. Density ≈1.20 g/cm³, printed at 195–215°C — a reference for print cost calculation.

HIPS is high-impact polystyrene, soluble in limonene. Density, nozzle and bed temperature, use as a support material for ABS — a reference for print cost calculation.

PVA is a water-soluble support material for multi-material printing. Density, nozzle and bed temperature, storage — a reference for print cost calculation.

ABS-like Resin mimics the stiffness and impact resistance of ABS while keeping resin-print precision. Density, exposure, post-cure — a reference for print cost calculation.

Castable Resin is a burnout resin for investment casting in jewelry and dentistry. Density, exposure, post-cure — a reference for print cost calculation.

Dental Resin is a biocompatible resin for dental models and aligners. Density, exposure, post-cure — a reference for print cost calculation.

Flexible Resin is an elastic photopolymer resin with a low Shore hardness. Density, exposure, post-cure — a reference for print cost calculation.

High Temp Resin is a high-temperature resin with high HDT for injection molds and heat-resistant tooling. Density, exposure, post-cure — a reference for print cost calculation.

Standard Resin is a general-purpose base photopolymer resin for MSLA/DLP printing. Density, exposure, post-cure — a reference for print cost calculation.

Tough Resin is an impact-resistant resin with mechanics close to ABS. Density, exposure, post-cure — a reference for print cost calculation.

Water-Washable Resin is a water-soluble-cleanup resin whose post-processing doesn't need IPA. Density, exposure, post-cure — a reference for print cost calculation.