GuideWhich material to choose for a 3D printed part.

The material is chosen for where the part will work: heat, sun, moisture, loads, contact with chemicals. PLA suits objects and prototypes, PETG and ASA everyday and outdoor use, nylons and carbon-fibre-filled engineering polymers mechanical parts, and TPU flexible parts.

Ask me which material you need

Updated October 2026 · Paolo Lanfranco, Artifex Studio

The main materials

Material	Strengths	Avoid for
PLA	Detail, finish, colours; great for objects, models and visual prototypes	Heat and sun: it already warps in a car in summer
PETG	Tough, resists moisture and many chemicals	Parts that need high stiffness
ASA	Resists UV, heat and weather; can be vapour smoothed	Very flexible parts
ABS	Tough, heat resistant, sands and smooths well	Long exposure to sun
TPU	Flexible and rubbery: seals, bumpers, grips	Parts that must stay rigid
Nylon (PA)	Tough, wear resistant: gears, bushings, hinges	Very humid environments, if unprotected
Polycarbonate (PC)	Very resistant to impact and heat	Fine visual detail
Carbon-fibre filled (PA-CF, PPA-CF, PPS-CF)	Stiff, light, stable; for mechanical parts, jigs and fixtures, even at high temperatures	Parts that need to flex
Decorative: silk, sparkle, marble, wood, multicolour	Glossy surfaces, glitter, grain and gradients for objects, gifts and decorations	Technical parts under load

The whole Bambu Lab range can be printed, plus materials from many other manufacturers: if you need a specific material, just ask.

Choosing in four questions

Will it get hot? Sun, engine, machinery: rule out PLA.
Will it be outdoors? Choose ASA or PETG.
Will it work under load or friction? Nylon or carbon-fibre filled.
Does it need to flex? TPU, possibly combined with a rigid section in the same part.

Several materials in the same part

Multi-material printing combines up to 7 materials or colours in the same part, without assembly: a rigid body with a soft grip, a coloured logo built into the part, an integrated seal, soluble supports for impossible shapes. Fewer components, less assembly, less waste when switching materials.

The right material, not the most expensive

A carbon-fibre-filled polymer is pointless for a decorative object, and PLA is wrong for a part under the bonnet. The right choice saves money and makes the part last.

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