Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is one of the most widely used 3D printing technologies due to its affordability, material variety, and versatility. Understanding FDM 3D printing materials is crucial for choosing the right filament for strength, durability, flexibility, heat resistance, or surface quality.
In this detailed guide, we explore all major FDM 3D printing materials types, their short descriptions, properties, and where they’re best used. Whether you’re choosing filament for engineering parts, prototypes, or artistic models, this complete breakdown will help you decide.
What is FDM Material?
FDM materials are thermoplastic filaments melted and extruded layer-by-layer to create 3D objects. These materials used in FDM vary in strength, durability, flexibility, and temperature resistance. The most common FDM printer materials include PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, TPU, and Polycarbonate.
Complete FDM 3D Printing Materials List
Here is a complete, research-based overview of commonly used 3D printing FDM materials,
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
PLA is the most popular among 3D printing materials and beginner-friendly among FDM 3D printing materials, known for its easy printing and great dimensional accuracy.
PLA Properties
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Prints with low warping for clean dimensionally accurate results.
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Works on nearly all FDM printers due to low print temperatures.
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Has low heat resistance, making it unsuitable for hot environments.
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Made from renewable sources, making it eco-friendly.
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Leaves a smooth surface finish without much post-processing.
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Works well with basic PLA-based FDM support material.
Best For
Visual models, prototypes, hobby prints, educational use.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS filament offers excellent toughness and durability, making it a strong choice among FDM material types, especially for functional and mechanical parts.
ABS Properties
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High durability and impact resistance for real-world use.
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Better heat resistance compared to PLA.
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Requires a heated bed to prevent warping and cracking.
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Releases fumes during printing, so ventilation is needed.
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Strong chemical resistance for industrial uses.
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Often chosen when comparing the strongest FDM material options.
Best For
Functional parts, mechanical components, enclosures.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
PETG is a reliable and versatile choice in the FDM materials list, combining toughness, chemical resistance, and slight flexibility.
PETG Properties
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Excellent layer bonding for stronger printed parts.
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Good temperature resistance higher than PLA.
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Slight flexibility prevents brittle fractures.
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Minimal warping makes printing easier.
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Many variants are food-safe.
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Resistant to moisture and mild chemicals.
Best For
Functional parts, bottles, containers, mechanical models.
Nylon
Nylon filament is a premium material extrusion FDM filament used in professional and industrial applications due to its extreme strength and wear resistance.
Nylon Properties
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Exceptional mechanical strength suitable for engineering parts.
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High impact resistance for stress-loaded components.
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Flexible enough to withstand pressure without cracking.
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Excellent wear resistance ideal for moving parts.
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Hygroscopic material (absorbs moisture), needs dry storage.
Best For
Gears, hinges, tools, mechanical assemblies.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
TPU filament is a flexible and rubber-like FDM printing material, perfect for products that require bending, elasticity, and shock absorption.
TPU Properties
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High elasticity suitable for flexible designs.
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Strong abrasion resistance for long-term wear.
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Excellent shock absorption for impact protection.
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Requires slow printing speeds for best results.
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Resistant to oils and industrial chemicals.
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Durable under repeated bending or compression.
Best For
Phone cases, belts, wearable items, shock-absorbing components.
PC (Polycarbonate)
Polycarbonate is a high-performance material of FDM 3D printing for high temperature applications requiring extreme toughness and thermal stability.
PC Properties
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Outstanding heat resistance for technical, industrial prints.
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Extremely high strength ideal for engineering use.
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Some variants offer optical clarity.
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Needs very high nozzle and bed temperatures.
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Excellent impact resistance.
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Performs well under demanding and repetitive stress.
Best For
High-strength tooling, automotive parts, functional prototypes.
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)
ASA filament is similar to ABS but optimized for outdoor use, offering UV stability and weather resistance for long-term environmental exposure.
ASA Properties
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Highly UV-resistant for outdoor applications.
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Strong and rigid like ABS.
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Resists weather, chemicals, and sunlight.
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Needs enclosure to control warping.
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Maintains color far better outdoors.
Best For
ASA is best for outdoor FDM prints where UV resistance and long-term weather durability are required.
PEEK / PEI (Polyether Ether Ketone / Polyetherimide)
PEEK and PEI are aerospace- and medical-grade FDM printing materials, offering extreme strength and temperature endurance.
PEEK / PEI Properties
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Withstand extreme heat above 200°C.
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Deliver exceptional mechanical performance.
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Resist chemicals, solvents, and pressure.
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Require industrial high-temperature FDM machines.
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Suitable for mission-critical engineering.
Best For
PEEK/PEI are best for high-temperature, high-strength industrial parts where aerospace-level performance is needed.
FDM Support Materials
Support materials are essential for complex models, helping to maintain shape and reduce sagging during printing.
Support FDM Material Properties
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Breakaway supports remove easily by hand.
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Soluble supports dissolve in water or chemicals like PVA.
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Ideal for multi-extruder and complex FDM prints.
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Prevent sagging in overhang areas.
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Works with PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, and PC.
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Produces cleaner surface finishes with fewer marks.
Best For
Complex models, engineering parts, overhang-rich designs.
FDM 3D Printing Materials Comparison
A quick FDM material comparison table to help evaluate the strongest FDM 3D printing materials, heat resistance, flexibility, and printability:
| Material | Strength | Heat Resistance | Flexibility | Print Ease | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Medium | Low | Low | Very Easy | Low |
| ABS | High | Medium-High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| PETG | High | Medium | Medium | Easy | Medium |
| TPU | Low | Low-Med | Very High | Moderate | Medium |
| Nylon | Very High | Medium | High | Hard | Medium-High |
| PC | Very High | High | Medium | Hard | High |
| CF Composites | Very High | Medium | Low | Moderate | High |
| ASA | High | Med-High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| PEEK/PEI | Extreme | Extreme | Medium | Very Hard | Very High |
FAQs
What is FDM material in 3D printing?
FDM material refers to the thermoplastic filaments used in material extrusion FDM printers. These include PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, TPU, and many specialty engineering filaments. Each FDM printing material offers unique properties such as strength, flexibility, temperature resistance, and durability, making them suitable for different applications ranging from hobby projects to industrial manufacturing.
Which FDM 3D printing material is the strongest?
The strongest FDM material for general use is typically Nylon due to its combination of tensile strength, impact resistance, and wear resistance. For extreme industrial environments, Polycarbonate (PC) is even stronger and offers the best heat resistance among common FDM printer materials. Strength may also increase when using carbon-fiber-reinforced materials used in FDM.
Which FDM material is best for high-temperature applications?
For extreme heat environments, Polycarbonate (PC) is among the top FDM material for high temperature, capable of withstanding up to 110–140°C depending on the grade. ABS and Nylon also perform well under moderate heat, making them suitable for functional and mechanical components. Specialty engineering resins in Stratasys FDM materials are designed for aerospace-level thermal stability.
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