Filament selection starts with the project requirement, not a material ranking. Temperature, load, flexibility, appearance, environment and printer capability narrow the list.
Project questions
- Service temperature.
- Static or impact load.
- Flexibility.
- Indoor or outdoor.
Material directions
PLA for simple stiff parts, PETG for functional toughness, TPU for flexibility, PA/PC/ASA for heat or engineering duty. Check drying and printer requirements.
Validate
- Profile.
- Function test.
- Cost.
| Need | Material direction | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Model | PLA | Surface |
| Function | PETG | Impact |
| Flexible | TPU | Compression |
| Heat | PC/ASA | Temperature |
Common engineering mistakes
- Choosing by price only.
- Ignoring temperature.
- Using one profile.
- No test.
- Over-specifying.
Buyer checklist
- What is the main function?
- What temperature?
- What load?
- Is flexibility needed?
- Can the printer process it?
Describe the project through our quote form.