A Rennaissance Man

FDM 3D Print Filament Glossary

Stringing: the common result when a 3D print job has not been configured optimally.
Stringing: the common result when a 3D print job has not been configured optimally.

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)

This glossary provides a quick reference for common FDM filament acronyms, their properties, vulnerabilities, and ideal use cases.

  • PLA (Polylactic Acid)

    Summary:

    A biodegradable and relatively strong filament derived from renewable sources like corn starch. Easy to print with minimal warping and produces a smooth finish.

    Vulnerabilities:

    Brittle, low heat resistance, not suitable for functional parts under stress.

    Best Use Case:

    Prototypes, figurines, decorative items.

  • PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

    Summary:

    A durable and versatile filament with good chemical resistance. More impact-resistant than PLA and offers better heat tolerance.

    Vulnerabilities:

    Requires higher printing temperatures compared to PLA, can be stringy if not dialed in correctly.

    Best Use Case:

    Functional parts, water bottle replacements, outdoor parts.

  • TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

    Summary:

    A flexible filament with rubber-like properties. Great for printing objects that need to bend or absorb impact.

    Vulnerabilities:

    flexibility, may require specific nozzle adjustments.

    Best Use Case:

    Gaskets, phone cases, footwear components.

  • PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol)

    Summary:

    A water-soluble support filament used for complex prints with overhangs or internal cavities. Dissolves easily in water after printing.

    Vulnerabilities:

    Highly water-soluble, not suitable for standalone prints.

    Best Use Case:

    Support structures for complex 3D prints.

  • PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

    Summary:

    Not commonly used in filament form for 3D printing due to its high melting temperature and difficulty in adhering to layers. Primarily used for beverage bottles.

  • ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

    Summary:

    A strong and durable filament with good heat resistance. Known for its glossy finish.

    Vulnerabilities:

    Warps more than PLA or PETG, emits fumes during printing requiring ventilation.

    Best Use Case:

    Functional parts, prototypes requiring high heat resistance, LEGO-like bricks.

  • ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)

    Summary:

    Similar to ABS but with improved UV resistance, making it suitable for outdoor applications. Less prone to warping compared to ABS.

    Vulnerabilities:

    Requires an enclosed printing chamber for optimal results.

    Best Use Case:

    Outdoor parts, automotive components, items requiring UV resistance.

  • PA (Polyamide)

    Summary:

    Also known as Nylon, a versatile and high-strength filament with excellent abrasion resistance.

    Vulnerabilities:

    Requires higher printing temperatures and an enclosed chamber, hygroscopic properties (absorbs moisture from the air).

    Best Use Case:

    Functional parts requiring high strength and durability, gears, bearings.

  • Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer

    Summary:

    Not a single filament but a composite where PLA, PETG, Nylon (PA) etc. are reinforced with carbon or glass fibers. This significantly improves strength, stiffness, and heat resistance of the base filament.

    Vulnerabilities:

    Requires a special nozzle due to abrasive nature of the fibers. Can be more difficult to print compared to the base filament.

    Best Use Case:

    Functional parts requiring high mechanical performance, lightweight and rigid parts like drone components.

FDM Printing in a Nutshell

FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling, is a 3D printing process that creates objects by laying down thin layers of melted filament. A spool of filament is fed through a heated nozzle that extrudes the material onto a build platform. The printer follows a digital blueprint, building the object layer by layer until it’s complete.

FDM printing is a popular choice for hobbyists and professionals alike due to its versatility and affordability. It’s widely used for prototyping, creating functional parts, and manufacturing a vast array of objects.

    Toggle Theme