7 min read
Why PLA is not always enough
PLA is easy to print and accurate, but it softens at around 60°C and can be brittle. In Jordan's summer, a PLA part inside a car, next to a machine or in direct sun can deform. Functional parts for factories and workshops usually need an engineering material.
PETG: the all-rounder
PETG is tougher than PLA, resists many chemicals and handles moderate heat better. It prints without an enclosure on most printers and is a good default for brackets, covers, containers and general shop parts. It can string a little, so tune retraction and keep it dry.
ABS and ASA: heat and outdoor use
ABS handles higher temperatures than PETG and can be smoothed or glued easily. ASA has similar properties with much better UV resistance, making it the better choice for outdoor parts in the Jordanian sun. Both shrink as they cool, so they need an enclosed printer to prevent warping and cracking, and a ventilated room because they release fumes while printing.
TPU: flexible parts
TPU is a rubber-like filament for gaskets, bumpers, vibration dampers, protective sleeves and grips. It prints best slowly, on printers with a direct-drive extruder.
Nylon: toughness and wear resistance
Nylon (PA) is tough, slightly flexible and has low friction, which makes it good for gears, hinges and wear parts. It absorbs moisture quickly from the air, so it must be dried before printing and stored in a dry box. It needs an enclosed printer and high temperatures.
Carbon-fiber blends: stiffness
Carbon-fiber reinforced filaments (PLA-CF, PETG-CF, PA-CF and others) add short fibers to a base plastic. The result is stiffer, more dimensionally stable and often has a matte surface that hides layer lines. The fibers are abrasive, so you need a hardened steel nozzle; a standard brass nozzle wears out quickly.
Quick comparison
- Easiest to print: PLA, then PETG
- Best for outdoor and UV: ASA
- Best for heat: ABS, ASA, nylon and CF nylon
- Best for flexible parts: TPU
- Best for wear and gears: nylon
- Best for stiffness and dimensional stability: carbon-fiber blends
- Needs an enclosure: ABS, ASA, nylon
- Needs a hardened nozzle: any CF or glass-fiber filament
- Must be kept dry: nylon, TPU and PETG in particular
Find the right filament in Jordan
Jordan Automation stocks a range of filaments, filament dryers, hardened nozzles and spare parts in Amman. Use our compatibility checker to confirm a material works with your printer, or ask our team on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can I print ABS or ASA without an enclosure?
Small parts sometimes work, but larger parts usually warp or crack. An enclosed printer gives much more reliable results.
Do I really need a hardened nozzle for carbon-fiber filament?
Yes. Carbon fibers are abrasive and can wear a brass nozzle out quickly, which changes extrusion and ruins print quality.
Why does my nylon print badly?
Nylon absorbs moisture from the air within hours. Dry it in a filament dryer before printing and store it sealed with desiccant.