Not all filaments are created equal. Here's exactly which material to use for gears, brackets, hinges, and functional parts — ranked by strength, heat resistance, and printability.
You're a beginner / want easy printing:
→ PETG — strong, easy, no enclosure needed
You need maximum wear resistance (gears):
→ Nylon PA12 or PA-CF
You need stiffness + light weight:
→ Carbon Fiber (PLA-CF or PETG-CF)
Part will be exposed to outdoor/UV:
→ ASA
Part needs flexibility:
→ TPU
Part needs heat resistance (>80°C):
→ ABS, ASA, or Nylon
| Material | Strength | Max Heat | Wear Resist. | Difficulty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon (PA12) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 90°C | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Hard | $35–55/kg |
| Carbon Fiber Nylon (PA-CF) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 110°C | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Hard | $60–100/kg |
| PETG | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 75°C | ⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | $22–30/kg |
| ABS | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 90°C | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hard | $20–30/kg |
| ASA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 95°C | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hard | $25–35/kg |
| PLA+ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 55°C | ⭐⭐ | Easy | $18–25/kg |
| TPU | ⭐⭐⭐ | 80°C | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | $25–35/kg |
Gears & Bearings
Self-lubricating, high wear resistance, absorbs shock without cracking. Standard brass gears wear Nylon; Nylon doesn't wear itself.
Nylon PA12 / PA-CF
Structural Brackets
Carbon fiber composites offer the best stiffness-to-weight ratio. Resistant to flex under load.
PETG-CF or Nylon-CF
Enclosures & Housings
PETG for easy printing + chemical resistance. ABS if heat resistance > 75°C is needed.
PETG or ABS
Snap-Fit Clips
Snap-fits need flex without breaking. PETG handles moderate flex; Nylon for aggressive flex with long life.
PETG or Nylon
Outdoor Parts
UV-resistant and weatherproof. ABS yellows and cracks outdoors within months; ASA lasts years.
ASA
Shock Absorbers / Gaskets
Only flexible filament that absorbs impact. 95A hardness = firm but flexible — ideal for mechanical dampening.
TPU (95A Shore)
Jigs & Fixtures
Low stress environment, accuracy matters more than strength. PLA+ easy to print precisely; PETG for dimensional stability.
PLA+ or PETG
Print orientation matters more than material
Layer lines are always the weakest axis. Orient parts so stress runs along layers, not perpendicular to them.
Use 4+ perimeters for mechanical parts
Standard 2–3 perimeters is fine for visual prints. For mechanical parts, 4–6 perimeters dramatically increases strength.
40–60% infill for load-bearing parts
Standard 15–20% infill is mostly air. Mechanical parts need 40–60% minimum; gyroid or cubic infill pattern is strongest.
Anneal PETG and PLA+ for heat resistance
Baking printed parts at 60–70°C for 30 min (below glass transition) can increase heat resistance by 15–20°C.
Dry Nylon immediately before printing
Nylon absorbs moisture so fast that even a 6-hour exposed spool will print poorly. Use a filament dryer in-line.