How to choose the right 3D printing material?

If you decide to 3D print a design, one of the first questions you need to ask yourself is; which filament am I going to use? There is a wide range of filaments available and as a beginner, it can be overwhelming. This blog will help you choose the right filament for your application, so you can be sure you’re getting started with the right filaments.

Who will use the 3D printer?

One of the first considerations when choosing filament is the user of the 3D printer. This is because not every filament is easy to print. For beginners, we recommend PLA or ABS. PLA is the ultimate entry-level material. A print with PLA can hardly fail. If you use the default settings of our dddrop RAPID ONE, it delivers perfect results. ABS is also suitable for beginners, but it is advisable to gain some experience with PLA first before switching to ABS.
Serial production in 3d printing
Filaments such as PETG and FLEX, on the other hand, are more suitable for experienced users. These materials require precise adjustments, where small adjustments can already have a big impact on the print. We therefore recommend gaining a sufficient understanding of the printing process before working with these more complex filaments.

How warm is the environment in which the design is used?

When printing objects exposed to high temperatures, you need to choose the right material that can withstand heat. Each filament has a specific glass temperature – the point at which the material starts to soften. This is crucial when choosing the right filament.

For applications where your object will encounter heat, such as near a heat source or in direct sunlight, ABS is a good choice. It has a high glass temperature of 110°C, which makes it resistant to boiling water and other heat sources. PETG is slightly lower with a glass point of 90°C and is less able to withstand extreme temperatures. PLA and FLEX are the least heat-resistant, with a glass temperature around 60°C.

What are you going to print?

Ultimately, everything revolves around the application of your printed object. What you will print determines which filament is best to choose. Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses, suitable for different purposes. Below, we briefly discuss three popular filaments.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

PLA is strong and rigid, allowing it to withstand large forces without stretching. The downside is that PLA can break on impact, just like glass. It is therefore mainly suitable for visual models, but not for mechanical parts. PLA is easy to print, energy-efficient thanks to its low print bed temperature of 60°C, and a perfect choice for visual models.
pla filament 1.75mm 5kg

ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene)

ABS is more flexible than PLA and is less likely to break when dropped. It is therefore ideal for functional parts and industrial applications. For example, ABS is widely used in the automotive industry for parts such as dashboards and bumpers. One drawback is that ABS emits an unpleasant odour during printing. For use in office environments or at home, we recommend using a well-ventilated room, or choosing odourless filaments such as PLA or PETG.

abs filament kopen

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

PETG is both strong and flexible and can be stretched up to twice its own length without breaking. This unique combination makes it suitable for parts that move repeatedly or are under pressure. PETG is also approved for applications in the food industry, making it perfect for packaging, for example. Moreover, PETG can withstand high pressure without deforming, making it an ideal choice for various functional applications.

Conclusion

Which filament you choose will depend on your experience, the environment in which the object will be used and your print requirements. As a beginner, it is best to start with PLA because of its easy print settings and versatility for sight models. For functional parts or applications where heat resistance is important, ABS is a good choice. PETG offers flexibility and strength, ideal for moving parts or food applications. Want to work with flexible materials? Then choose FLEX, but make sure you have gained enough experience, as printing them requires more precision. This way, you will always have the right filament for your project!