Choosing the right filament can make a big difference in how easy a print is to create and how well it works afterward.
For most classrooms, the best place to start is PLA because it is easy to print, inexpensive, and safe for school use.
As teachers become more comfortable, they may choose other materials based on what students are creating.
This guide explains the most common filament types, when to use them, and what teachers should know before printing.
PLA stands for Polylactic Acid.
It is the most common 3D printing filament and is usually the best choice for schools.
PLA is made from renewable materials such as corn starch or sugarcane, which makes it one of the easier plastics to work with.
Very easy to print
Minimal warping
Excellent surface quality
Safe for most classroom environments
Large variety of colors and finishes
Low cost
Can become brittle over time
Softens in heat, especially above 55-60°C
Not ideal for parts left in a hot car or outdoors
Student projects
Name tags
Signs
Bookmarks
Models
Decorations
Classroom tools
Nozzle: 200-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
Print Speed: 50-150 mm/s
PLA should be the default filament in almost every classroom.
PLA+ is regular PLA with added ingredients that improve its strength, flexibility, and durability.
Different brands use different formulas, but most PLA+ is easier to print than PETG while being stronger than standard PLA.
Stronger than PLA
Less brittle
Better impact resistance
Still easy to print
Slightly more expensive than PLA
Some brands need a slightly hotter nozzle
Functional classroom tools
Pencil holders
Mounts
Replacement parts
Objects students will handle often
Nozzle: 210-230°C
Bed: 50-60°C
Print Speed: 50-120 mm/s
If your budget allows, PLA+ is often the best all-around classroom filament.
PETG stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol.
PETG is stronger, tougher, and more heat-resistant than PLA.
It is often used when teachers want a part to be more durable or survive outdoors.
Strong and durable
More flexible than PLA
Water resistant
Better heat resistance
Less brittle
Harder to print
Can create stringing
May stick too strongly to some build plates
Requires slower printing and more tuning
Hooks
Organizers
Outdoor signs
Tool holders
Replacement parts
Functional classroom accessories
Nozzle: 230-250°C
Bed: 70-85°C
Print Speed: 40-100 mm/s
PETG works best on the textured build plate and usually benefits from a slightly slower first layer.
PETG is a great second filament after teachers are comfortable with PLA.
TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane.
TPU is flexible and rubber-like.
Instead of creating a hard object, TPU prints can bend, twist, and compress.
Flexible
Tough
Very durable
Resists cracking
Difficult to print
Must be printed slowly
Harder to load and unload
Can jam more easily than PLA
Phone cases
Pencil grips
Flexible keychains
Bumpers
Rubber feet
Wearable projects
Nozzle: 220-240°C
Bed: 40-60°C
Print Speed: 15-40 mm/s
The direct-drive extruder on the Centauri Carbon 2 handles TPU better than many printers, but it is still best to start with simple shapes.
TPU is fun and useful, but it is best saved for more experienced users.
ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.
ASA is very similar but is more resistant to sunlight and outdoor use.
These are strong engineering plastics commonly used in industry.
Strong and durable
Good heat resistance
Better for outdoor use than PLA
Can survive inside a hot car or outside in the sun
Produces fumes while printing
More likely to warp
Needs an enclosure
Harder to print successfully
Outdoor projects
Mechanical parts
High-temperature projects
Advanced engineering challenges
Nozzle: 240-260°C
Bed: 90-110°C
Print Speed: 40-80 mm/s
ABS and ASA should only be used in a well-ventilated makerspace or with an enclosed printer and air filtration.
These are generally not the best choice for classrooms unless there is a dedicated makerspace setup.
Nylon is one of the strongest and most durable filament types available.
It combines strength with flexibility, making it useful for mechanical parts and moving pieces.
Extremely strong
Flexible without breaking
Excellent for moving parts
Resists wear and friction
Very difficult to print
Absorbs moisture quickly
Requires high temperatures
Usually needs drying before use
Hinges
Gears
Mechanical parts
Engineering projects
Nozzle: 240-270°C
Bed: 70-100°C
Print Speed: 30-60 mm/s
Nylon should always be stored in a dry box or sealed container because it absorbs moisture faster than almost any other filament.
Nylon is usually only appropriate for advanced users or engineering classes.
Carbon fiber filament is usually a base material such as PLA, PETG, Nylon, or ABS that has tiny carbon fiber strands mixed into it.
Examples include:
Carbon Fiber PLA
Carbon Fiber PETG
Carbon Fiber Nylon
The carbon fibers make the filament:
Stiffer
Stronger
More professional-looking
Less likely to flex
Strong and rigid
Excellent surface finish
Hides layer lines well
Great for functional parts
More expensive
More brittle than the regular version of the filament
Wears down standard brass nozzles
Carbon fiber filament should only be used with a hardened steel nozzle.
The good news is that the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 is designed to handle carbon fiber materials, which is one of its major advantages.
Functional engineering parts
Strong mounts or brackets
Robot parts
Advanced STEM projects
The temperature depends on the base material:
Carbon Fiber PLA: 210-230°C
Carbon Fiber PETG: 240-260°C
Carbon Fiber Nylon: 250-280°C
Carbon fiber filaments are best for advanced users and should be introduced only after students understand standard PLA and PETG.
For most teachers and students:
Start with PLA.
Move to PLA+ when you want stronger projects.
Try PETG for more functional designs.
Save TPU, ABS, ASA, and Nylon for advanced users.
The easiest path to success is:
Neutral PLA colors for everyday prints
School colors for student projects
A few fun filaments like rainbow or metallic for special projects
That gives students plenty of options without making printing more difficult.