The best materials for 3D printing

The advent of 3D printing has undoubtedly changed the world, enabling simple and fast creation of complex objects. Businesses, scientists, independent creators, and all of you who are developing new products can now choose from a variety of materials for your unique projects and create a finished product in just a few hours. 3D printing has also entered our homes, becoming an accessible hobby for many. In this blog, we will explore which materials for 3D printing are the most common and what functions they offer.

PLA

PLA is undoubtedly the most popular material among hobbyists because it is affordable, easy to print, and offers the widest range of color options. This 3D printing material is made from renewable resources such as sugarcane or cornstarch.

Key features

• Easy to print
• Eco-friendly
• Wide availability of colors
• Does not require a printer enclosure
• No heated bed needed

As mentioned, PLA is most commonly used by hobbyists, but it also has other applications, such as prototypes, architectural models, jewellery, decorative items, various toys, and more. If you want to learn more about this material, we invite you to read our blog about PLA filaments.

At AzureFilm, we offer a wide range of PLA filament colors, and we believe you can always find the right color for your project with us.

PETG

A material for 3D printing that combines good mechanical properties with ease of use is PETG. This filament is strong, flexible, and provides good layer adhesion. This means that prints made with PETG are durable and sturdy. Additionally, PETG is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and UV light, making it an excellent choice for outdoor projects or those requiring mechanical durability.

Key features

• Easy to print
• Good mechanical resistance
• Resistant to moisture, UV light, and chemicals
• Does not require a printer enclosure
• Odorless

PETG can be used for a variety of projects. It is most commonly seen in applications such as different components or functional parts, but it is also used for decorations, tools, prosthetics, robotics, and more. If you wish to dive deeper into the properties of PETG filaments, we recommend this blog.

We invite you to explore our range of PETG materials, which, in addition to the features mentioned above, also allow for faster printing.

ABS

ABS is considered a technical material because it offers strength, durability, and rigidity. Products made from this material are also resistant to UV light, chemicals, and impact. This 3D printing material is primarily used in the automotive, construction, electronics, and aerospace industries. Read our in-depth blog about ABS filaments to learn all the details.

Key features

• Strong and durable
• Resistant to moisture, UV light, and chemicals
• Good heat resistance
• Impact-resistant
• Flexible

As mentioned, ABS is a technical material that enables the production of functional prototypes, gears, bearings, and other parts, as well as engineering models and various enclosures.

At AzureFilm, we place a great emphasis on developing superior technical materials, so we invite you to explore our range of ABS filaments. Check out our ABS PLUS filament, which, thanks to special additives, is even stronger than “regular” ABS filaments and withstand temperatures up to 85°C. Additionally, for your next project, consider using the ABS Prime filament, which offers exceptional impact resistance, increased strength, and excellent layer adhesion.

ASA

ASA, like ABS, is a technical material that provides reliable resistance to atmospheric conditions. It is also impact-resistant, making it a popular choice for technical and industrial applications.

Key features

• Resistant to moisture, UV light, and chemicals
• Durable in challenging environments
• Excellent dimensional stability
• Robust
• Impact-resistant

The most common applications for ASA include electrical enclosures, tools, outdoor devices, sports products, moulded components, and other similar uses. For more detailed information about ASA filaments, read this blog.

We invite you to explore our range of ASA filaments. Our ASA filament is designed for high-speed printing up to ≤350mm/s. Additionally, we offer the ASA Prime filament, an upgraded version of ASA. This filament enables extremely high printing speeds, does not warp, is easier to print, and is generally enhanced for more demanding applications.

TPU

TPU is a flexible material for 3D printing that allows you to create interesting and useful bendable objects. Printing with TPU can be more challenging due to its flexibility, but it offers unique results for special applications. To learn more about TPU filaments, we invite you to read our dedicated blog.

Key features

• Flexible and elastic
• Durable
• Resistant to wear and impact
• Good chemical resistance
• Vibration-dampening

TPU can be used for various testing and prototyping, handles and gripping parts of different tools, and flexible filaments are also used for household appliances, toys, phone cases, wearable devices like bracelets, automotive parts, and medical materials.

Our TPU filament is available in two versions: with a 98A Shore hardness for greater rigidity and a more flexible 85A Shore hardness. These filaments are offered in different quantities to suit your needs.

Final thoughts

Of course, there are many more materials available on the market, offering different options and properties. The choice of material will always depend on your project, so we recommend doing thorough research. We invite you to explore our extensive selection in our online store. If you have any questions or need advice about a specific material, we are always here to help!

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