PLA, PETG or ABS — which one fits your print?
A side-by-side look at the three most common filaments we run on the farm, comparing strength, heat resistance and flexibility so you can spec the right material with confidence.
PLAPLA Basic
Crisp detail, easy finish, best for display.
- Strength
- Rigid and dimensionally stable, but relatively brittle. Good for parts that won't take impact or load.
- Heat Resistance
- Softens around 60°C. Not suited to hot environments, prolonged sun, or parts that get warm in use.
- Flexibility
- Very low. It snaps rather than bends — a strength for crisp geometry, a weakness under stress.
Best for
Display models, miniatures, architectural prototypes, decorative objects and concept parts where surface finish matters more than mechanical performance.
Avoid for
Outdoor use, hot enclosures, load-bearing brackets, or anything that will be knocked about.
PETGPETG-CF
Carbon reinforced. Stiff, heat tolerant, low warp.
- Strength
- Carbon-fibre reinforced for stiffness and strength. Tough rather than brittle, with good layer adhesion and low warp.
- Heat Resistance
- Tolerates ~80°C. Holds up in mild heat and most indoor functional applications.
- Flexibility
- Low to moderate. Stiffer than PLA but with enough give to survive handling and mild impact.
Best for
Functional brackets, drone components, jigs and fixtures, enclosures and parts that need to survive handling and mild heat.
Avoid for
Very high-temperature environments (near 100°C), highly flexible or sealing parts (use TPU), or parts needing the absolute highest strength-to-weight (use PAHT-CF).
ABSABS-GF
Glass filled. Impact resistant for enclosures.
- Strength
- Glass-filled ABS balances impact resistance with heat tolerance and rigidity. Survives knocks and warmer environments, and can be acetone-smoothed for a sealed surface.
- Heat Resistance
- Tolerates ~95°C. The best of the three for warm or sun-exposed functional parts.
- Flexibility
- Low. Rigid, but the glass fibre and ABS base absorb impact far better than PLA.
Best for
Enclosures, housings, automotive interior parts, tool handles and durable functional parts that may see heat or impact.
Avoid for
Parts that must flex or seal (use TPU), or where fine display detail beats toughness (use PLA or Tough Resin).
| Property | PLA Basic | PETG-CF | ABS-GF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Brittle, rigid | Tough, stiff (CF reinforced) | Impact resistant (GF reinforced) |
| Max service temp | ~60°C | ~80°C | ~95°C |
| Flexibility | Very low — snaps | Low–moderate | Low, absorbs impact |
| Surface finish | Crisp, matte | Matte, textured | Acetone-smoothable |
| Outdoor use | Not recommended | Short-term ok | Yes — heat & UV tolerant |
Still unsure?
Start with the load and environment: display or high-detail → PLA Basic; functional under mild load or heat → PETG-CF; hot, impacted or outdoor → ABS-GF. Drop your file into the configurator with a short brief and we'll confirm the best material for the job before it prints.
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