Material Comparison

Choosing the right filament is just as important as choosing the right tool for a job. This article gives you the full picture — from a simple comparison table to Shore hardness, HDT values and a practical decision guide.

Full Comparison Table

Material	Strength	Temp Res	Flexibility	UV Res	Chemical Res	Nozzle Req	Enclosure	Difficulty	Price
PLA	★★★	★	★	★	★	Brass	No	★ Easy	Low
PETG	★★★	★★	★★	★★	★★★	Brass	No	★★	Low
ABS	★★★	★★★	★★	★	★★	Brass	YES	★★★	Low
ASA	★★★	★★★	★★	★★★★	★★	Brass	YES	★★★	Medium
TPU	★★	★★	★★★★★	★★	★★	Brass	No	★★★	Medium
PA (Nylon)	★★★★	★★★	★★★	★★	★★★★	Brass	YES	★★★★	High
PA-CF	★★★★★	★★★★	★★	★★★	★★★★	Hardened steel	YES	★★★★	High
PC	★★★★	★★★★	★★	★★	★★★	Brass	YES	★★★★	High
PLA-CF	★★★★	★★	★	★	★	Hardened steel	No	★★	Medium

Key:

• ★ = weak/low/poor
• ★★★ = medium/standard
• ★★★★★ = excellent/best in class

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Choose the Right Material — Decision Guide

Not sure what to choose? Follow these questions:

Does it need to withstand heat?

Yes → ABS, ASA, PC or PA

• Some heat (up to ~90 °C): ABS or ASA
• High heat (above 100 °C): PC or PA
• Maximum temperature resistance: PC (up to ~120 °C) or PA-CF (up to ~160 °C)

Does it need flexibility?

Yes → TPU

• Very soft (like rubber): TPU 85A
• Standard flexible: TPU 95A
• Semi-flexible: PETG or PA

Will it be used outdoors?

Yes → ASA is the clear choice

ASA is developed specifically for UV exposure and is superior to ABS outdoors. PETG is the next best choice if ASA is not available.

Does it need maximum strength?

Yes → PA-CF or PC

• Strongest lightweight composite: PA-CF
• Strongest pure thermoplastic: PC
• Good strength at lower price: PA (Nylon)

Easiest possible printing?

→ PLA

PLA is the most forgiving material available. Lowest temperature, no enclosure requirements, minimal warping risk.

Food contact?

→ PLA (with caveats)

PLA itself is not toxic, but:

• Use a stainless steel nozzle (not brass — may contain lead)
• FDM prints are never truly "food-safe" due to porous surface — bacteria can grow
• Avoid demanding environments (acids, hot water, dishwasher)
• PETG is a better option for single-use contact

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Shore Hardness Explained

Shore hardness is used to describe the hardness and stiffness of elastomers and plastic materials. For 3D printing it is particularly relevant for TPU and other flexible filaments.

Shore A — Flexible Materials

The Shore A scale runs from 0 (extremely soft, almost like gel) to 100 (extremely hard rubber). Values above 90A start to approach rigid plastic materials.

Shore A Value	Perceived Hardness	Example
30A	Extremely soft	Silicone, jelly
50A	Very soft	Soft rubber, earplugs
70A	Soft	Car tire inner tube, running shoe midsole
85A	Medium soft	Bicycle tire, soft TPU filament
95A	Semi-rigid	Standard TPU filament
100A ≈ 55D	Border between scales	—

TPU 95A is the industry standard for 3D printing and provides a good balance between elasticity and printability. TPU 85A is very soft and requires more patience during printing.

Shore D — Rigid Materials

Shore D is used for harder thermoplastics:

Material	Approximate Shore D
PLA	~80D
PETG	~70D
ABS	~75D
PC	~80D
PA (Nylon)	~70–75D

Not the same scale

Shore A 95 and Shore D 40 are not the same even though the numbers may seem close. The scales are different and overlap only partially around the 100A/55D boundary. Always check which scale the supplier specifies.

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Temperature Tolerances — HDT and VST

Knowing at what temperature a material starts to give way is critical for functional parts. Two standard measurements are used:

• HDT (Heat Deflection Temperature) — the temperature at which the material deflects 0.25 mm under a standardized load. Measure of service temperature under load.
• VST (Vicat Softening Temperature) — the temperature at which a standardized needle penetrates 1 mm into the material. Measure of absolute softening point without load.

Material	HDT (°C)	VST (°C)	Practical Max Temp
PLA	52–60	55–65	~50 °C
PETG	70–80	75–85	~70 °C
ABS	85–105	95–110	~90 °C
ASA	90–105	95–108	~90 °C
TPU	40–70	varies	~60 °C
PA (Nylon)	70–180	180–220	~80–160 °C
PA-CF	100–200	200–230	~100–180 °C
PC	120–140	145–160	~120 °C
PLA-CF	55–65	60–70	~55 °C

PLA in hot environments

PLA parts in a car in summer is a recipe for disaster. The dashboard of a parked car can reach 80–90 °C. Use ABS, ASA or PETG for anything that may be left in sun or heat.

PA variants have very different properties

PA is a family of materials, not a single material. PA6 has a lower HDT (~70 °C), while PA12 and PA6-CF can be at 160–200 °C. Always check the datasheet for exactly the filament you are using.

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Nozzle Requirements

Brass Nozzle (Standard)

Works for all materials without carbon fiber or glass fiber fill:

• PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PA, PC, PVA
• Brass is soft and will wear quickly with abrasive materials

Hardened Steel Nozzle (Required for Composites)

REQUIRED for:

• PLA-CF (carbon fiber PLA)
• PETG-CF
• PA-CF
• ABS-GF (glass fiber ABS)
• PPA-CF, PPA-GF
• All filaments with "-CF", "-GF", "-HF" or "carbon fiber" in the name

Hardened steel has lower thermal conductivity than brass — compensate with +5–10 °C on nozzle temperature.

Carbon fiber filaments destroy brass nozzles quickly

A brass nozzle can become noticeably worn after just a few hundred grams of CF filament. The result is gradual under-extrusion and inaccurate dimensions. Invest in hardened steel if you print composites.

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Brief Material Overview by Use Case

Use Case	Recommended Material	Alternative
Decoration, figures	PLA, PLA Silk	PETG
Functional indoor parts	PETG	PLA+
Outdoor exposure	ASA	PETG
Flexible parts, cases	TPU 95A	TPU 85A
Engine bay, hot environments	PA-CF, PC	ABS
Light, rigid construction	PLA-CF	PA-CF
Support material (soluble)	PVA	HIPS
Food contact (limited)	PLA (stainless nozzle)	—
Maximum strength	PA-CF	PC
Transparent	PETG clear	PC clear

See individual material articles for detailed information on temperature settings, troubleshooting and recommended profiles for Bambu Lab printers.