1.3 Filament
1.3 Filament
Types of Filament
Filament is the material used in FDM 3D printing to help bring your designs. Just as different types of paper or fabric have unique textures and applications, different filaments have special properties that affect how a 3D print turns out. Some filaments are highly durable, some are flexible and elastic, and others are water-soluble, making each ideal for specific types of prints, and uses!
With your certification, you can work with PLA and PETG—two of the best filament choices for beginners. But why?
Easy to Print: These filaments have a high success rate, allowing you to focus on designing rather than troubleshooting failed prints.
Reliable & Safe: Unlike some filaments, which require high heat and ventilation, PLA and PETG are safe and easy to work with.
Versatile (Mostly! 😊): Whether you're printing models, prototypes, or functional parts, PLA and PETG provide a great balance of strength, detail, and usability.
While there are many other different filament types available, starting with PLA and PETG will allow you to build a strong foundation in 3D printing before exploring with more advanced materials.
Now that you know why PLA and PETG are great for beginners, let’s take a closer look at how they compare in this video, which will break down their key differences, strengths, and best uses.
Here is a cheat sheet to help you! It summarizes some of the information in the video. This guide is designed to give you a quick overview of different filament types. It includes:
The Name of Each Filament in Descending Order of Printing Difficulty: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, PVA
Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Printer Settings: the recommended extrusion and. bed temperature for each filament so you can input the correct setting
Material Properties: Information on strength, flexibility, durability, and other key characteristics, to help you decide what you should print with
Common Qualities and Uses: examples of what each filament is best suited for
While this certification course focuses on PLA and PETG, the cheat sheet also introduces three other filaments—ABS, TPU, and PVA. You won’t be using them yet, but as you gain more experience, you might want to explore these materials for more advanced projects!
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