3D printing materials — the technical guide.
A working reference for picking between the four FDM filaments we run — PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU. Tensile strength, heat resistance, printability, chemical exposure, and where each one earns its keep in production.
Which material, in one line?
Four materials, four use cases.
PLA
The default choice for detail-heavy prototypes and display parts. Prints crisply on almost any FDM machine.
- Excellent surface finish and dimensional accuracy
- Low warping — no heated chamber needed
- Biodegradable feedstock (industrial composting)
- Brittle failure mode — snaps instead of bending
- Softens above ~55 °C (leave-in-car territory)
- Poor UV and chemical resistance
- Architectural models and figurines
- Cosplay props, jigs used indoors
- Non-load-bearing prototypes
PETG
The workhorse for functional parts. Tougher than PLA, easier than ABS, food-safe grades available.
- High impact and layer adhesion strength
- Chemical- and moisture-resistant
- Handles ~75 °C without deforming
- Stringing/oozing needs careful retraction tuning
- Slight ductility — not fully rigid
- Sticks aggressively to bare glass beds
- Enclosures, brackets, mechanical parts
- Outdoor fixtures and light waterproof housings
- Food-contact prototypes (with a food-safe grade)
ABS
The industrial default before PETG. Higher heat resistance and acetone-smoothable, but needs an enclosed printer.
- Highest continuous-use temperature of the four (~100 °C)
- Acetone-vapour smoothing for glass-like finishes
- Excellent machinability (drill, tap, sand)
- Warps and cracks without an enclosure/heated chamber
- Emits styrene fumes — needs ventilation
- Yellows and degrades under UV
- Automotive fixtures near engines
- Electrical enclosures and housings
- Injection-mould prototypes
TPU
A rubber-like elastomer. Anything that needs to bend, damp vibration, or grip lives here.
- Extreme elongation (300 %+) without failure
- Excellent abrasion and oil resistance
- Absorbs impact and vibration
- Slow print speeds required (typically < 30 mm/s)
- Direct-drive extruder strongly recommended
- Hygroscopic — dry the spool before printing
- Gaskets, seals, and vibration dampers
- Phone cases, wearable grips, watch straps
- Robotics tracks, flexible hinges
Side-by-side technical comparison.
Typical values for consumer/industrial-grade filament. Actual numbers vary by brand and print settings.
| Property | PLA | PETG | ABS | TPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 50–70 MPa | 45–55 MPa | 35–45 MPa | 25–40 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 5–10 % | 20–120 % | 10–50 % | 300–580 % |
| Heat deflection (HDT) | ~55 °C | ~75 °C | ~100 °C | ~80 °C |
| Impact resistance | Low | High | High | Very high |
| UV resistance | Poor | Good | Poor (yellows) | Good |
| Chemical resistance | Poor | Good (acids/bases) | Moderate | Excellent (oils) |
| Nozzle temperature | 190–220 °C | 220–250 °C | 230–260 °C | 220–240 °C |
| Bed temperature | 50–60 °C | 70–85 °C | 95–110 °C | 40–60 °C |
| Warping | Minimal | Low | High | Low |
| Enclosure required | No | Optional | Yes | No |
| Food-safe grades | Yes | Yes | No | Some |
| Recyclability | Compostable (industrial) | Recyclable (#1) | Recyclable (#7) | Limited |
Where each material earns its keep.
ABS for under-hood fixtures near heat; PETG for cabin brackets and prototyping quick-turn tooling.
PETG for durable housings; ABS when acetone-smoothed injection-mould-adjacent finish is required.
PETG for structural links and gearboxes; TPU for treads, tank tracks, and vibration-dampening feet.
PLA and food-safe PETG for one-off single-use jigs; consult a food-safe grade and post-processing plan.
PLA — crisp corners, matte finishes, and painted post-processing without warping over time.
TPU for anything that flexes daily: watch straps, gaskets, phone cases, ergonomic overmolds.
FAQ
By raw tensile strength, PLA scores highest (~50–70 MPa) — but it fails brittly. For real-world durability, PETG and ABS outperform PLA because they absorb impact rather than snapping.
PETG is the safe default outdoors — it resists moisture and UV better than PLA or ABS. For high-heat outdoor exposure (dashboards, engine bays), pick ABS or ASA.
Food-safe PLA and PETG grades exist, but FDM layer lines can trap bacteria. Use single-use parts, or coat/seal the surface, and choose certified food-contact filament.
PLA — it prints flat on almost any surface with no enclosure. TPU also warps minimally. PETG needs a warm bed; ABS almost always needs an enclosure.