The main material categories
- Beginner Materials: PLA, PETG — easy to print
- Engineering Materials: ABS, Nylon, PC — strong applications
- High-Performance: PEEK, PEI, Carbon fibre — extreme performance
PLA - Polylactic Acid
The most popular beginner material.
Properties
- Print temperature: 180-220°C
- Bed temperature: 60°C (optional)
- Biodegradable: yes, from corn starch
- Colours: huge variety available
Advantages
- Very easy to print
- No odour during printing
- Cheap and widely available
- Biodegradable
PLA Variants
- Standard PLA — €0,25/cm³
- PLA+ — €0,30/cm³
- Wood-filled PLA — €0,40/cm³
- Metal-filled PLA — €0,55/cm³
Ideal for: prototypes and models, decorative objects, beginners in 3D printing and educational projects.
ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Versatile engineering material.
Properties
- Print temperature: 220-250°C
- Bed temperature: 80-110°C
- Strength: higher than PLA
- Heat resistance: up to 80°C
Advantages
- Stronger than PLA
- Heat resistant
- Post-processing possible
- Recyclable
ABS specifications: price €0.32/cm³, tensile strength 40-50 MPa, good flexibility — not brittle. Ideal for functional parts, automotive applications, tools and fixtures, and electronic housings.
PETG - Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol
The best of both worlds.
Why PETG?
PETG combines the ease of printing PLA with the strength of ABS. It is chemically resistant, available crystal clear and FDA approved for food contact.
Properties
- Print temperature: 220-250°C
- Bed temperature: 70-80°C
- Transparency: crystal clear possible
- Food safe: FDA approved
PETG Advantages
- As easy to print as PLA
- Stronger than PLA
- Chemically resistant
- No warping
- Recyclable
Price: €0.35/cm³. Ideal for mechanical parts, food packaging and transparent applications.
Advanced Materials
Nylon (PA)
Extremely strong and flexible, ideal for mechanical parts. Temperature: 250-270°C. Strength: very high. Price: €0.65/cm³.
TPU (Flexible)
Rubber-like material for flexible applications. Temperature: 220-250°C. Flexibility: very high. Price: €0.85/cm³.
PEEK
Aerospace-grade material with extreme performance. Temperature: 360-400°C. Performance: aerospace. Price: €15.00/cm³.
Carbon Fibre
Lightweight and extremely strong for high-end applications. Weight: 20% lighter. Strength: 5x stronger. Price: €1.20/cm³.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Heat-resistant and optically clear material. Temperature: 270-310°C. Heat resistance: 140°C. Price: €0.75/cm³.
Metal Filled
Filled with steel, bronze or copper for an authentic metal finish. Finish: polishable. Weight: 3x heavier. Price: €0.90/cm³.
Choose the Right Material
For Beginners
- PLA — first projects
- PETG — when you want more strength
- PLA+ — improved properties
Functional Parts
- ABS — general applications
- PETG — chemical resistance
- Nylon — mechanical strength
Special Applications
- TPU — flexible parts
- PEEK — Aerospace/Medical
- Carbon Fibre — lightweight & strong
Conclusion
Choosing the right material determines the success of your project. Start with PLA for prototypes, use PETG for functional parts and choose specialised materials for specific applications.
At Makernaut, we help you choose the perfect material for your specific application. Our materials experts are ready to advise you.