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3D printing filament comparison

PLA, PETG, ABS and Nylon PA12 side by side — the properties, ratings, print settings and fit clearances from our individual material guides, in one table.

	PLA	PETG	ABS	Nylon PA12
Properties
Typical accuracy	±0.1–0.2 mm	±0.15–0.25 mm	±0.2–0.4 mm (enclosed)	±0.2–0.4 mm
Glass transition (Tg)	~60 °C	~80 °C	~105 °C	~50–60 °C
Heat deflection (HDT)	~55 °C	~70 °C	~95 °C	~80–100 °C
Performance ratings
Dimensional accuracy	Excellent	Very Good	Moderate	Moderate
Surface finish	Excellent	Good	Good	Moderate
Printability	Excellent	Very Good	Moderate	Moderate
Warping resistance	Excellent	Very Good	Poor	Poor
Layer adhesion	Good	Excellent	Good	Moderate
Moisture resistance	Moderate	Excellent	Good	Poor
Chemical resistance	Moderate	Excellent	Moderate	Good
Outdoor durability	Poor	Very Good	Moderate	Good
Impact resistance	Poor	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Fatigue resistance	Poor	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Wear resistance	Poor	Moderate	Good	Excellent
Mechanical durability	Moderate	Very Good	Excellent	Excellent
Heat resistance	Poor	Moderate	Excellent	Good
Recommended print settings
Nozzle temperature	200–220 °C	230–250 °C	230–250 °C	240–270 °C
Bed temperature	50–60 °C	70–80 °C	95–110 °C	70–90 °C
Print speed	40–60 mm/s	30–50 mm/s	30–50 mm/s	30–45 mm/s
Part cooling	~100% after first layers	Low to moderate	Minimal to none	Low
Enclosure	Not needed	Not needed	Required	Strongly recommended
Drying	45 °C · 6 h, only if bubbling	~65 °C · 6–8 h if stringing	~80 °C · 2–4 h if rough	~70 °C · 4–8 h before every print
Recommended clearances (mm)
Press fit	0.10–0.15	0.15–0.20	0.20–0.25	0.20–0.30
Sliding fit	0.20–0.30	0.25–0.35	0.30–0.40	0.30–0.45
Rotating assembly	0.25–0.40	0.35–0.50	0.40–0.55	0.40–0.60
Hinged mechanism	0.30–0.50	0.40–0.60	0.45–0.65	0.35–0.55
Loose fit	0.40–0.50	0.50–0.70	0.55–0.75	0.55–0.80

Values are typical for FDM-printed parts on a calibrated printer with a 0.4 mm nozzle. Real results depend on print orientation, layer adhesion, infill, moisture content and filament brand. Validate critical fits with a test coupon.

In short

Which one to pick

PLA

Visual and fit-check prototypes where precision and surface finish matter more than heat or impact.

PETG

The default for functional parts, enclosures and outdoor or moisture-exposed components.

ABS

Heat-exposed parts up to ~95 °C, bonded assemblies and vapor-smoothed finishes.

Nylon PA12

Gears, hinges and parts under repeated load where fatigue and wear life matter most.

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