3D Printer Filament Type: Which One is the Best?

Filament is one of the most important parts of a 3D printer because it is the building block of anything you can print. It is a long plastic thread that becomes your final product. Hence, choosing the right filament type is necessary based on your desired results. 

But how many types of filaments are there in 3D printing and which one is the best? Let’s find out! 

What is a 3D Printer Filament?

Before we talk about all the various types of 3D printer filaments, we must understand what it actually is. A 3D printer filament usually comes in a plastic form but is also available in other materials as well.

If you want to understand how many types of filaments there are in 3D printing and which one is best for your individual goals, then this blog will help you in choosing the right type. 3D printer filaments come in various types but it all depends on the object you’re trying to build.

In theory, a 3D printer filament is used to make 3D printing and some of the most common types of filaments are Polylactic Acid or PLA and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene or ABS. However, there are many other types of options available in the market, so let’s uncover each type. 

Types of 3D Printer Filaments

Polylactic Acid – PLA

The most popular and common type of 3D printer filament is PLA. It is made of biodegradable thermoplastic that comes from eco-friendly resources like corn starch, potato starch, and sugar cane. 

Compared to ABS, PLA filaments are much more environmentally friendly as it doesn’t produce any toxic fumes during printing as well. One of the best examples of a PLA filament is the Silk PLA filament by Chitu System. 

This product comes with a printing speed of 30-80mm/s, a dimensional accuracy that will make you print anything accurately, and around 9 different colors to choose from. His Silk PLA is perfect for classrooms and medical purposes.

The Silk PLA is often used to make surgically implanted pins, rods, and screws that can naturally break down inside the body within 6-12 months. One of the best use cases for PLA filament is to make hygiene products, tableware, and disposable items.  

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene – ABS 

ABS filaments are the most demanding in the 3D printing industry. These filaments are extremely impact-resistant and tough, making them ideal for making things like car parts, toys, and even electronic housing. 

Since these filaments can be easily extruded, it’s easy to handle them, but compared to PLA, they are less environmentally friendly. ABS filaments are also the cheapest thermoplastic available in the market.

This type of filament is known for its lightweight, durability, flexibility, and sheer sturdiness. So, if you want to make something solid, then go for this filament. Moreover,  just like PLA filaments, ABS isn’t water soluble but it can dissolve with organic solvent. 

To make it interesting, ABS is also food-safe and uses a fairly high temperature to work. 

Polyvinyl Alcohol – PVA

PVA’s main highlight is that it’s soluble in water, which is why many companies make the best use of it. These filaments are used in packaging for dishwashers, bags, and a lot more. PVA works great with other filaments in dual extrusion 3D printers. For example, using PVA with High Impact Polystyrene or HIPS can make it more innovative in producing greater results. 

While PVA is great for support material, it can be difficult to handle since it is water-soluble. But overall, if you have dry boxes and silica pouches, you should not have any trouble with choosing PVA.

High Impact Polystyrene – HIPS

HIPS is a copolymer that incorporates the hardness of polystyrene and the elasticity of rubber. This material is most common in packaging and contains like CD cases. But in the 3D printer world, this filament has an even more important task.

3D printers can use HIP as a great all-rounder for the part that needs to be required and it is one of the strongest 3D printing filaments you will ever come across. However, one main issue with using HIPS is that it requires post-processing to remove supports and it’s only compatible with ABS. 

Polyethylene Terephthalate with Glycol – PETG

PETG is also tough and durable but one of the best things about this filament is that it can print without any odor. Thanks to its durable nature, it has perfect flexibility and doesn’t cause much wrapping or shrinkage, making it one of the best 3D printer filament choices. 

PETG is also not brittle and requires a temperature between 220°C – 245°C to 3D print. Its main selling point is that it can produce mechanical parts and protective components due to its strong and flexible nature. 

Polyamide or Nylon

Lastly, we have Polyamide of Nylon filament that is quite popular for industrial applications. It is a cost-effective solution and has amazing properties like being lightweight, strong, flexible, and even wear-resistant. 

Just like PETG, Polyamide is perfect for printing mechanical parts thanks to its high melting point. Overall, it has great properties for printing and is even cost-effective for anyone who’s looking to make use of this filament technology.

Buy The Best 3D Printer Filament Today

One of the best filament types is PLA filaments which are provided by Chitu Systems. If you’re looking for the most reliable filament, then you can check out the Conjure Silk PLA 3D Printer Filament as it has great dimensional accuracy, causes no bubbles, there’s no wrapping, and has a great printing speed for 3D printing high-quality materials. 

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