Filament Specs Lab

Polycarbonate (PC) Filament: Extreme Strength Printing 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.” …

Polycarbonate (PC) Filament: Extreme Strength Printing

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…

ASA Filament: The UV Resistant Alternative to ABS 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]

ASA Filament: The UV Resistant Alternative to ABS

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…

TPU and TPE: Printing with Flexible Filaments 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.

TPU and TPE: Printing with Flexible Filaments

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…

Nylon (PA) Filament Guide: Strength and Durability 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

Nylon (PA) Filament Guide: Strength and Durability

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…

Everything You Need to Know About ABS Filament 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.

Everything You Need to Know About ABS Filament

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…

PLA vs PLA+: What is the Real Difference? 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

PLA vs PLA+: What is the Real Difference?

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

How to Fix Filament Stringing and Oozing 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.

How to Fix Filament Stringing and Oozing

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…

Best 3D Printer Filament Brands in 2026 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…

Best 3D Printer Filament Brands in 2026

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,…

Identifying Poor Quality Filament: Signs to Look For 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.

Identifying Poor Quality Filament: Signs to Look For

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…

How to Dry Wet Filament: Methods and Tools 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.

How to Dry Wet Filament: Methods and Tools

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…

Recycling 3D Printer Filament: Is It Possible? 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.

Recycling 3D Printer Filament: Is It Possible?

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…

What is Filament Tolerance? (0.03mm vs 0.05mm) 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.

What is Filament Tolerance? (0.03mm vs 0.05mm)

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…

Does 3D Printer Filament Expire? Shelf Life Explained Filament “Shelf Life” At a Glance (What Changes, What You Can Fix) Filament Type Most Common “Aging” Driver Typical Print Symptom When Affected Usually Recoverable by Drying? Storage Priority PLA / PLA+ Moisture uptake + heat history Extra stringing, matte patches, occasional tiny bubbles Often yes (if the spool hasn’t been overheated) Seal + desiccant, avoid warm rooms PETG Moisture…

Does 3D Printer Filament Expire? Shelf Life Explained

Filament “Shelf Life” At a Glance (What Changes, What You Can Fix) Filament Type Most Common “Aging” Driver Typical Print Symptom When Affected Usually Recoverable by Drying? Storage Priority PLA / PLA+ Moisture uptake + heat history Extra…

Understanding Filament Density and Why It Matters Typical Polymer Density Ranges Seen In Filament Families (Values Shown As “Specific Weight” / Density In g/cm³) [a] Material Family (Example) Density (g/cm³) What This Usually Signals Approx. Mass Per Meter (1.75 mm) Approx. Meters Per 1 kg (1.75 mm) PP (Polypropylene) 0.90–0.91 Low density by nature; more length per kilogram for the same diameter 2.16–2.19 g/m 462–457 m ABS 1.04 Balanced mass-per-volume; common baseline for “mid-weight” prints 2.50 g/m 400 m PC (Polycarbonate) 1.20 Higher…

Understanding Filament Density and Why It Matters

Typical Polymer Density Ranges Seen In Filament Families (Values Shown As “Specific Weight” / Density In g/cm³) [a] Material Family (Example) Density (g/cm³) What This Usually Signals Approx. Mass Per Meter (1.75 mm) Approx. Meters Per 1 kg (1.75…

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