Which filament should I pick?
A short, practical guide that helps you choose the right material without chemistry abbreviations.
1. Printing something decorative?
Pick PLA. It's easy, cheap and needs no enclosed chamber. Perfect for figures, signs and indoor prototypes.
2. Does the part need to handle some load or moisture?
Step up to PETG. A bit harder than PLA, but stronger and more moisture-tolerant. Good for brackets and tool holders.
3. Will the part be outdoors or in sunlight?
Pick ASA. Best with an enclosed chamber and gives off some odour. Handles UV and weather far better than PLA and PETG.
4. Need flex or springiness?
Use TPU. Print slowly with a direct drive extruder. Good for gaskets, wheels and dampers.
5. Mechanical parts under high load or heat?
Use PA-CF or PC-CF. These require a hardened nozzle, dried filament and ideally an enclosed printer with a high nozzle temperature.
Chemical resistance – what to pick
Most FDM filaments handle water, oils and mild detergents, but few tolerate strong acids or bases. Pick by exposure, not by brand:
- Water, oil, soap, alcohol (short contact): PLA, PETG and ABS/ASA all work.
- Fuel, solvents, acetone: Avoid ABS/ASA (dissolves in acetone). PETG and nylon (PA) handle it better; PP is best.
- Weak acids/bases (cleaners, vinegar, baking soda): PETG, PP and PC hold up well. PLA slowly degrades.
- Strong acids/bases (HCl, H₂SO₄, NaOH): No hobby FDM filament is truly safe. PP is the most resistant, but not for concentrated exposure.
- Concentrated chemicals or lab use: Use PTFE, HDPE, PVDF, PEEK or glass – not printed parts.
Rule of thumb: if the container the chemical ships in isn't PET, PP or HDPE, don't trust a printed part to hold it either.
Artikler og guider
Den vanligste filament-tvilen, forklart enkelt.
Hva du bør starte med – og hva du bør vente med.
Hva tåler sol, UV og varme over tid?
Temperaturer, tider og tegn på fukt.
Når abrasivt filament krever bytte av dyse.
Kort oversikt over kjemikaliebestandighet i FDM.
Pick a printer to see exactly what fits.
Pick printerFree mini-guide: Pick the right filament without guessing
A short, practical PDF that explains the differences between the most common filament types, what they're used for, what to avoid, and which materials need a hardened nozzle, drying or an enclosed printer.
No strings attached. You get the guide by email and can unsubscribe any time.
We use your email to send the guide and occasional relevant updates from Filamentguiden. You can unsubscribe any time.