Using 3D printers at home, in universities, schools, or research institutes, has great potential. For some time now, 3D printing experts have been foreseeing an industrial revolution in 3D printing. Today, anyone can buy specific filament that fits their project needs and use a computer or mobile device to create the data for 3D objects by themselves. The materials used for 3D printers with Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) are various filament plastics, which consist of meltable plastic materials.

Learn more about different 3D printer filaments, and their properties here:

Overview of Different Materials, Properties, and Settings

Filament Material	Advantages	Special Requirements	Nozzle Temperature	Print Bed Temperature
PLA	Easy to print, good tensile strength, surface quality, and minimal warping	None	190 ~ 215℃ / 374 ~ 419°F	Not required
ABS	long-lasting, impact-resistant, heat resistant, flexible	Heated Print Bed	210 ~ 240℃ / 410 ~ 464°F	70 ~ 90 ℃ / 158 ~ 194 °F
PETG	high impact resistance, tough, warp-resistant, recyclable	None	190 ~ 235℃ / 374 ~ 455 °F	Not required
Carbon Fiber	lighter, more rigid (less likely to bend), more impact-resistant	Hardened Steel Nozzle	215 °C / 419 °F	Not required
Premium Metallic PLA	unique metallic finish with consumer-grade 3D printers	Hardened Steel Nozzle	200 °C / 392 °F	Not required
Antibacterial PLA	Inhibits growth of germs and bacterial infections	None	190 ~ 215℃ / 374 ~ 419°F	Not required
3D Color-Inkjet PLA	Color absorbent filament for full-color 3d prints	da Vinci Color or da Vinci Color mini	190 °C / 374 °F	Not required
Flexible Filament (TPE)	flexible and durable prints, waterproof	da Vinci 1.0 A da Vinci 1.0 AiO da Vinci Super	235 °C / 455 °F	70 °C / 158 °F
Water-soluble Filament	sturdy enough to provide excellent support, easy to remove with clean results	da Vinci 2.0 A Duo	190 °C / 374 °F	Not required

PLA

PLA is by far the most popular 3D printing material. It is also known as polylactic acid, which is valued for its easy printing and high precision properties. Resources are extracted from bio compostable materials, which gives this material greater environmental friendliness, making the bioplastic even more attractive. PLA is an excellent option, especially for 3D printing beginners, and a wide range of applications from printing prototypes, display models to structural parts. PLA is not suitable for use in outside environments, since external influences, like UV radiation, heat, and humidity, will damage prints more quickly, because of PLA’s general bio decomposability.

Tough PLA

Though PLA is a variation of standard PLA, with increased properties in tensile strength and high rigidity. Because it can withstand a severe impact load, it is best suitable for more functional parts that require high mechanical durability.

ABS

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a thermoplastic material that melts at a temperature of 220 – 250 degrees Celsius. ABS filaments are often used for professional applications, for example by engineers and architects to produce prototypes or functional parts. Many makers and 3D printing enthusiasts also greatly appreciate this material. The reasons for this are the strength, flexibility, but also higher temperature resistance of this material. Compared to PLA, the 3D printing process of the material is more challenging. This is partly due to the fact that the material warps greatly when cooled down quickly. During processing, the smell of burnt plastic often develops, which is why sufficient ventilation must be ensured. ABS filament is made from petroleum, among other things, and is, therefore, more durable and more resistant to environmental influences than PLA. The heat resistance of the material is particularly advantageous, which is why it can also be used in areas where PLA would already melt. At the same time, ABS is less brittle and more elastic than PLA. 3D printers that are compatible with ABS must have a heated print bed to avoid warping and ensure sufficient bed adhesion during the printing process. For the best results, it is strongly advised to use an enclosed 3D printer, in order to avoid temperature fluctuations and warping.

PETG

PETG is a blend of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and glycerol. It is a great alternative to ABS, due to its high flexibility, longevity, and strength. Hardly any or even no odors are produced during printing, and the melting point is higher than that of PLA. PETG is ideal for the production of mechanical parts because of its high impact resistance and durability. At the same time, the material is more flexible than PLA, ABS, or PET. The melting point of this filament lays between 220 and 235 degrees Celsius, but requires no heated print bed, because of minimal warping.

Carbon Fiber

Carbon Fiber filament is a composite material made of carbon fiber infused PLA, which makes 3d prints lighter with better impact resistance. This material is best suited for functional objects and projects like parts for remote-controlled cars, drones, propellers, frames, and many more. Finished 3d prints show an attractive matte black finish with a slight gloss. Due to the abrasive properties of the Carbon Fiber filament, this material can only be printed with a Hardened Steel Nozzle, which is an available upgrade for a variety of da Vinci 3D printers.

Premium Metallic PLA

The Premium Metallic PLA filament, contains real copper particles, giving finished 3d prints a unique metallic look. Creating metallic prints at home, even with consumer-grade 3D printers is now a reality. This composite material also requires a Hardened Steel Nozzle, due to its abrasive properties. To achieve the metallic shine of the 3d prints, some post-processing of the objects is necessary. This involves sanding and polishing the 3d prints in gradual steps with affordable and off-the-shelf tools like sandpaper, steel wool, and metal polish.

Antibacterial PLA

This variation of PLA filament was developed with antibacterial properties, which greatly reduces the spread of germs and infections. Antibacterial PLA is a special filament that is infused with silver ions to inhibit bacterial growth by at least 99 percent. This antibacterial agent also complies with RoHS regulations, making it the ideal 3D printing material for 3d printed objects that are under frequent use in households and schools. The enhanced protection against germs and infections, also makes this material a safe and hygienic choice for children learning 3D printing.

3D Color-inkjet PLA

The color absorbent 3D Color-inkjet PLA filament was specifically designed for the da Vinci Color and da Vinci Color mini for 3d printing in full color. The printing properties are very similar to regular PLA, with the added feature of retaining custom-developed inks of our full-color 3d printer line.

Flexible Filament (TPE)

Thermoplastic Elastomer is a specially formulated filament that has elastic properties that provide flexible and durable prints. The properties of this filament can be summarized as plastics that deform elastically under various loads such as tension or pressure and then return to their original shape. It is non-toxic and completely waterproof, making this a safe and resilient filament.

Water Soluble

Water-soluble filaments are used for 3d printing support materials with dual extruder 3d printers like the da Vinci 2.0 A Duo. Supports from the completed 3d print can be cleanly removed, by submerging the print into the water and dissolving the material.