Filament comparison: choose PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA and TPU

The useful question is not which filament is strongest in isolation. A car bracket, a desk prototype, a flexible clip and a visual housing need different properties.

Check heat, load duration, UV, moisture, chemicals, friction, surface quality and tolerances before selecting material.

Record the actual operating temperature and whether the load is brief, cyclic or permanent in the order notes.

PLA is a strong starting point for many FDM orders because it prints predictably, warps little and gives clean surfaces.

Avoid blind PLA choices for cars, warm lamp areas, permanent spring load or thin snap hooks.

Choose PLA when dimensional clarity and a predictable finish matter more than impact or heat resistance.

PETG is tougher than PLA and useful for holders, covers and workshop parts.

It can show stringing or glossy artifacts, so visible design surfaces may still look cleaner in PLA.

Dry filament and realistic clearance help control strings, blobs and tight fits on functional geometry.

ABS and ASA are useful when heat resistance, impact strength or outdoor durability matter.

They need controlled temperatures and ventilation because warping, shrinkage and emissions are more relevant than with simple PLA jobs.

Use ASA for sustained weather exposure; choose ABS only when its finish and impact profile justify the chamber-controlled process.

TPU is for elastic parts, nylon for tough engineering parts, and carbon or glass filled materials for stiffness.

These materials demand drying, suitable nozzles, slower printing and more careful post-processing.

TPU 95A can now be priced directly in black, white and neon green; PLA-CF and PETG-CF in black and white.

Start with the condition that would make the part fail. Heat and UV point toward ASA, repeated flexing toward TPU, and a clean indoor prototype often toward PLA. PETG is the conservative starting point when moderate toughness and moisture resistance matter together.

Then check the manufacturing trade-off. ABS and ASA need controlled chamber temperatures, nylon needs dry handling, and fibre-filled filaments require wear-resistant nozzles. Those process requirements can outweigh a property that looks better on a data sheet.

If fit, fatigue or a safety-related load is decisive, order a representative sample first. Keep geometry, orientation and print profile unchanged during the comparison so that the material remains the variable being tested.