3D Printer Filament

3D Printer Filaments: A Practical Guide

3D printer filaments are the raw material that determines what your printer can make. Jaycar stocks PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, TPU, and speciality filaments including carbon fibre and silk-infused options. Each material has different print temperatures, strength profiles, UV resistance, and flexibility, so the right choice depends on the application and your printer's capabilities.

3D Printer Filaments That Help Start the Journey

We started with PLA - it's stable, strong, and good for dialling in your printer. Just don't leave it in the car; PLA starts to go soft at about 50°C. Once you have PLA dialled in, the natural next step is PETG. It's much more temperature and UV stable, but slightly less forgiving to print and not quite as nice to the touch. We've used PETG to print objects that need to hold their shape under load - something PLA will struggle with if exposed to heat or UV. Once you're comfortable with both, TPU is the material to graduate to. It's one of our favourites: a flexible filament whose hardness you control through wall count and infill settings. Before printing with TPU, check our 3D printing supplies page for adhesive and release agent.

Choosing the Right Filament for the Job

Jaycar stocks PLA, ABS, ASA, and PETG as the core range, along with speciality filaments such as carbon fibre-infused and silk PLA. Choosing the right type comes down to a few key factors: print temperature and whether your printer can reach it, bed adhesion requirements (ABS and ASA need an enclosure and heated bed), UV and weather resistance for outdoor parts, and flexibility for functional or wearable prints. Check your printer's supported filament list before buying, and consult the manufacturer's guidelines if you are trying something outside the standard range.

For resin 3D printers, see our range of 3D printing resin.

Filament 3D Printers for Every User

Filament 3D printers, also known as FDM printers, are well-suited to both beginners and experienced users. The right filament makes a practical difference to print quality, reliability, and post-processing time. Find the right match for your printer model in our range of filaments. Complete your setup with our 3D printing accessories and our range of 3D printing finishes to get the best result from your prints.

If you are just starting down this rabbit hole, we recommend getting an extra build plate or two, as build plates are usually the first thing FDM printing enthusiasts come back for.

FAQs for 3D Printer Filaments

What are the different types of filaments?

There are many types of filaments, each with unique benefits. See a breakdown of each below:

● PLA (Polylactic Acid) Filament: A biodegradable and eco-friendly option, PLA is derived from renewable resources, ideal for a wide range of printing projects due to its ease of use and low warping.

● ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Filament: Known for its strength and heat resistance, ABS is suited for tough applications like automotive parts, though it can be challenging to work with due to warping.

● PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) Filament: Combining PLA's ease of use with ABS's durability, PETG is moisture and chemical resistant, perfect for both indoor and outdoor applications.

● ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) Filament: Built as a step up from ABS, ASA delivers the same strength and heat resistance with added UV stability and weatherproofing, making it the go-to choice for functional parts that need to survive long-term outdoor exposure without fading or degrading.

● Speciality Filaments: This category includes unique filaments such as wood-infused, metal-infused, or glow-in-the-dark materials, offering creative and decorative possibilities for prints with distinct aesthetic and textural qualities.

Can I mix different types of filaments in my printer?

Mixing different filaments is possible through filament blending. This technique requires careful calibration for material compatibility. It's essential to ensure proper melting temperatures during the blending process.

Which filament is best for high-temperature-resistant parts?

ABS, ASA, or PETG are the ideal choices for high-temperature resilience. These materials offer significant heat resistance, making them suitable for demanding, high-temperature applications. Of the three mentioned, we would only recommend PETG in an open printer, as the other 2 require a heated chamber and also release VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) into the air. PETG provides solid heat and UV resistance in an open printer, without the fumes, though it doesn't match ABS or ASA for peak heat tolerance.

What are the benefits of using high-quality 3D printer filaments?

High-quality 3D printer filaments lead to improved print accuracy, durability, strength and finish. Different filament types behave differently in their environment. PLA, for instance, prints very easily, but it absorbs atmospheric moisture and often needs to be dried first - wet filament causes bubbles in the print. Quality filaments help to reduce common printing issues, such as warping or clogging, resulting in more consistent and successful printing outcomes.

Shop your favourite filaments at Jaycar for fast delivery or pickup and Price Match Guarantee protection.