Materials

fuss level = how picky it is to print

Common choices

Start here: these cover almost every hobbyist print.

PLA864The default. Toys, decor, everything indoors.

205° / 55°PETG278Tough & weatherproof. Planters, brackets, outdoor.

235° / 80°TPU164Rubbery & flexible. Phone cases, straps, gaskets.

230° / 50°ABS152Tough & heatproof. Needs an enclosure.

245° / 100°ASA109Like ABS but sun-proof. Best for outdoors.

250° / 100°PA674Slippery & wear-proof. Gears, hinges. Keep it dry!

265° / 95°PA1254Nylon 12: like PA6 but shrugs off moisture.

265° / 90°PC53The strongest. Extreme strength & heat.

275° / 110°PCTG25PETG with better chemical resistance and clarity.

Specialty & industrial

Niche and engineering families, usually for a specific job.

PP30Polypropylene: chemical-proof, living hinges.230° / 95°PVA24Water-soluble support material.205° / 55°PEI21Ultem: aerospace-grade strength and heat.375° / 140°HIPS17Often used as soluble support for ABS.235° / 100°TPE14Soft rubbery blends, stretchier than TPU.215° / 45°PET14Recycle-friendly, a bit more brittle than PETG.245° / 75°PEEK14The industrial king. Needs a 400° machine.400° / 140°PPS10Industrial polymer, very high heat resistance.315° / 120°PEKK10PEEK’s cousin, slightly easier to print.360° / 135°CPE9Co-polyester: PETG-like with more chemical proofing.250° / 80°PVB7Smooths to gloss with alcohol vapor.205° / 55°PPSU7Sterilizable, super-tough industrial plastic.375° / 150°PPA7High-temp nylon for serious mechanical parts.295° / 95°BVOH5Soluble support that dissolves faster than PVA.205° / 55°PVDF4Fluoropolymer: chemical- and UV-proof.255° / 100°PHA4Bio-based PLA cousin, more outdoor-tolerant.210° / 55°PEBA4Springy flexible used in sports-grade parts.230° / 50°TPI3Extreme-temperature imide polymer.PPE3Dimensionally stable engineering blend.PCL3Melts at ~60°C: hand-formable prototypes.120° / 30°PA113Plant-based nylon: tough with a bit of spring.265° / 85°TPC2Flexible co-polyester that tolerates heat.245° / 55°PVC1Rare: chemical-resistant, fume-sensitive.PSU1High-heat industrial, survives autoclaves.355° / 140°POM1Acetal: slippery and springy, hard to keep flat.225° / 115°PMMA1Acrylic: rigid with glassy looks.250° / 100°PES1High-heat industrial polymer.PBT1Tough electrical-grade polyester.250° / 90°EVA1Soft, foam-like flexible.