MatterHackers
Every FilamentFeed story on MatterHackers — news, reviews, and analysis, newest first.
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Materials
TPU vs TPE vs TPC: Choosing the Right Flexible Filament for the Job
Flexible filaments are not interchangeable. TPU, TPE, and TPC differ substantially in hardness, chemical resistance, print temperature, and long-term fatigue behavior. Choosing the wrong one means a part that either fails in service or was never printable in the first place.
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Materials
ASA Filament: The Complete Guide to UV-Stable Outdoor Printing
ASA is the go-to material for outdoor, UV-exposed 3D printed parts — a better choice than ABS for anything that lives outside. This guide covers settings, drying, and use cases.
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Materials
HIPS Filament: The Best Soluble Support for ABS Printing
HIPS dissolves in limonene, bonds perfectly with ABS, and outlasts PVA in high-temperature dual-extrusion setups. This guide covers the full workflow for using HIPS as a support material alongside ABS.
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Materials
Polycarbonate Filament: High-Heat Printing Done Right
Polycarbonate is the toughest common desktop filament — with heat resistance above 110°C and optical clarity for light applications. Here's what it takes to print PC successfully and where it's worth the effort.
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Materials
PETG Filament: The Complete Printing Guide
PETG sits between PLA and ABS in the filament hierarchy — combining good strength with easy printing. This guide covers print settings, moisture sensitivity, brand picks, and when PETG beats its rivals.