Picking a filament is one of the most important decisions in an FDM job, and it is easy to default to whatever is cheapest. The better question is what the part actually has to do. Will it sit on a desk, live outdoors, carry load, or get hot?
As the team behind OzFDM, our own Australian filament brand, we spend a lot of time matching materials to real requirements. Here is how the common options stack up.
The everyday workhorses
PLA is stiff, accurate and easy to print, which makes it ideal for display models, prototypes and parts that stay indoors. PETG adds toughness and chemical resistance, so it suits functional parts, brackets and items that flex without snapping.
ABS and ASA handle heat better and take well to finishing, with ASA in particular standing up to sunlight and weather. They are a sensible choice for automotive trim, outdoor fittings and enclosures.
When to step up to engineering grades
Nylon, polycarbonate and carbon fibre composites deliver strength, stiffness and temperature resistance well beyond the basics. They cost more and demand careful printing, but for end-use mechanical parts they earn their place.
If you are unsure, our material selector walks you through a few questions, or send us your part and we will recommend a material with your budget and use in mind.