Category ABS (Example: ABS-M30) [a] PETG (Representative Copolyester) [b] What “Heat Resistance” Usually Means Keeps shape closer to higher temps, especially under load

Spec / Behavior PEEK Filament (PEEK Polymer Baseline)[a] ULTEM Filament (PEI Resin Baseline)[b]

Polypropylene (PP) filament is a semi-crystalline polyolefin that prints into parts that feel “real-world plastic”: light, tough, and naturally resistant to many everyday chemicals. It can also test your patience if you treat it like PLA. PP rewards a different mindset: manage heat, pick the right build surface, and let the material shrink the way it wants—without letting it pull your part off the bed.

Marble PLA is the “cheat code” for prints that look finished the moment they come off the bed. No paint, no airbrush, no messy masking. Just clean geometry, a little smart slicing, and a filament that naturally creates a stone-like surface. The goal here is simple: understand what Marble PLA really is, what changes (and what doesn’t) versus regular PLA, and how to get that sculpture-grade finish on purpose.

What You’re Trying To Do What Conductive Filament Can Realistically Deliver What To Watch Closely Print a “wire” inside a part Works well as a high-resistance trace, not a copper replacement Trace length and cross-section dominate the final resistance Make a sensor (touch, flex, pressure) Very doable

Color-changing filament is one of those “looks like magic” materials that’s actually built on very real chemistry. In 3D printing, you’ll mostly meet two families: heat-sensitive (thermochromic) and UV-sensitive (photochromic). They can look similar in a short video, yet they behave differently in daylight, indoors, under a lamp, or even after a long print. This guide treats them like materials, not gimmicks—how they work, what makes them stable, what makes them drift, and how to pick the right type for the job.

Finish Goal Typical Prep Main Polishing Method Where Things Can Go Wrong Protection That Keeps the Look Satin “Cast Metal” Even out layer lines; remove seams; stop around 600–1000 grit Hand buffing with a mild metal/plastic polish; soft cloth Over-sanding sharp details; uneven scratch direction Thin wax layer for a soft glow; gentle re-buffing later High Gloss Shine Progressive sanding into fine grits (commonly 1000–3000+), consistent scratch pattern Buffing wheel or polishing pads at controlled speed Heat build-up can soften the binder polymer and smear the surface Clear coat that bonds to plastics; test for gloss change on a small area first …

Shine Lever What To Control What It Changes On The Surface Practical Starting Point How You Know It’s Working Extrusion Smoothness Nozzle temperature + consistent flow More uniform “skin” so light reflects instead of scattering Work within a tested window like 200–220°C for silk PLA trials [a]

Focus What To Watch Why It Changes The Result Glow Pigment Family SrAl₂O₄-based persistent phosphors (commonly rare-earth activated, e.g., Eu/Dy systems)[d] The polymer is mostly the carrier; the glow comes from an inorganic phosphor that stores and releases light energy over time. Charging Light “Compatibility” Strontium-aluminate phosphors can be excited by ultraviolet light (example: UV excitation reported at 344 nm with green emission behavior for SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺)

Spec Or Behavior PC Filament Example Values What That Usually Means On A Printer Density 1.19 g/cm³ (23°C)[d] Parts feel “solid” for their size; slicer weight estimates are typically close when your extrusion is calibrated. Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) 113°C (DSC, 10°C/min)[d] Above Tg, stiffness drops fast. For heat-loaded parts, Tg matters more than “it printed at high nozzle temps.” …

ASA Filament Specs and Print Baselines Topic Practical ASA Range / Notes Why It Matters Outdoor Behavior UV-stable polymer family often chosen for exposed parts; published data shows small shifts after accelerated UV/condensation cycles [a] Helps keep parts looking and behaving consistent in sun + weather. Starting Nozzle Temperature 260 °C (common baseline; adjust per brand, hotend, and speed) [b]

TPU vs TPE (SEBS) Flexible Filaments: Practical Differences for FDM/FFF Printing Attribute TPU Flexible Filament (Example: 82A Grade) TPE Flexible Filament (Example: SEBS Grade) What It Changes in Real Prints Polymer Family Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), SEBS-based Naming matters: the chemistry influences grip, moisture behavior, outdoor durability, and tuning style. Hardness (Shore) 82A (Shore A scale) 90A (Shore A scale) Lower number usually feels softer and “rubberier”, but also tends to demand tighter filament guidance.

Nylon (PA) Filament Specs That Actually Change Real-World Prints Spec / Behavior What You’ll See on Spools or Datasheets Typical Nylon Reality Why It Matters Family Name PA, Polyamide, Nylon Engineering thermoplastic family used for tough functional parts[a] “Nylon” is a broad label; PA6 and PA12 can feel like different materials. Moisture Sensitivity

ABS Printing Settings and Real-World Behavior [a] Parameter Typical Starting Point Why It Matters for ABS What to Watch Nozzle Temperature 255 °C Supports stronger interlayer bonding in an amorphous polymer that likes heat. If corners lift or layers split, you may be printing too cold for your setup. Bed Temperature 100 °C (often 80–110 °C depending on part size) Reduces thermal contraction at the base, helping the first layers stay put.

Comparison Point PLA (Example Data: Prusament PLA [a]) PLA+ (Example Data: eSUN PLA+ [b]) What The Label Usually Means Standard PLA formulation with predictable behavior and wide profile support. “PLA-based, modified” blend. The recipe varies by brand

Stringing & Oozing Controls Map (What Changes What) Control Area What It Actually Influences Numbers You Can Anchor To Most Common Visual Clue Trade-Off to Keep in Mind Nozzle Temperature Viscosity and how easily plastic keeps flowing during travel. Adjust in 5–10°C steps when isolating stringing behavior. Long, hair-like strings between separated features. Too low can reduce surface bonding and produce a drier extrusion look.

Brand Snapshot for 2026: What Each Name Commonly Brings to the Table Brand Signature Strength Material Focus Public QC / Documentation Signals Typical Fit Notes Prusament tight consistency PLA / PETG, selected engineering grades Diameter control claims, spool-level data culture[a] Calibration-sensitive printers, repeatable production Often used as a “reference spool” for baseline tuning Polymaker broad, curated portfolio PLA families, TPU, ASA/ABS, PA, composites Large line structure, consistent naming across families…

Poor-quality filament usually announces itself long before a print fully fails. You can spot it on the spool, hear it at the nozzle, and even feel it while feeding. This guide focuses on observable signs and the material reasons behind them, so you can separate “needs a profile tweak” from “this spool is unreliable” without guessing.

Drying Temperature And Time Reference (Common Filaments) [a] Filament Type Drying Temperature (°C) Typical Time (Hours) What This Setting Is Trying To Do PLA 50 4–6 Evaporate surface and near-surface moisture without softening the coil. PETG 70 6 Push moisture out of a more hygroscopic polymer that often “hisses” when wet. ABS 80 8–12 Deep drying for reliable extrusion and fewer bubbles in the bead.

Recycling 3D printer filament is possible, but it is not one single thing. It can mean re-melting your own scraps into new filament, sending material to an industrial recycler, or (for some “compostable” plastics) choosing an organic recycling route that still needs the right facility. The big idea is simple: keep material in a usable loop without turning it into a messy mix that no machine can process.

0.03 mm vs 0.05 mm Filament Tolerance (Practical, Print-Facing Comparison) Spec Detail 0.03 mm Tolerance 0.05 mm Tolerance Why It Matters Typical Meaning Diameter stays within ±0.03 mm of nominal Diameter stays within ±0.05 mm of nominal Tighter bands reduce how much volumetric flow can drift if your slicer assumes a single filament diameter. Total Diameter Band 0.06 mm (60 μm) 0.10 mm (100 μm) The band is what the extruder “feels” over time—especially on long prints.