Create tool handles, tote trays, enclosures, and other parts that are banged or dropped often and used near sensitive electronics. These filaments are made of durable ABS or polycarbonate—roughly four times tougher than PLA—with a compound that diverts electrostatic discharges away from equipment. Print them on a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. Due to their high melting point, they require a heated printer bed and tend to warp as they cool. They also emit an odor as they print, so you’ll need an enclosed printer or fume exhauster.

ABS filaments are a good place to start if you’re printing impact-resistant parts.

Polycarbonate filaments are nearly twice as impact resistant and stand up to heat better than ABS filaments. However, their higher melting point makes them more difficult to print, since they need more heat and are more likely to warp.

To make sure your part dissipates static properly, use an electrical resistance tester to measure the surface resistivity. The target surface resistivity for these filaments is 10⁷ to 10⁹ ohms. To adjust the resistivity, change the temperature of your printer’s extruder. As the extruder’s temperature increases, so will the printed part’s resistivity.

Tensile strength is the best measure of a filament’s overall strength. Similar to the stress applied on a rope during a game of tug-of-war, it’s the amount of pulling force a material can handle before breaking. A higher rating means a stronger filament. A tensile strength of 5,000 psi and above is considered good; 12,000 psi and above is excellent.

Maximum exposure temperature is the point at which a printed part will begin to deform. Above this temperature, your part will start to lose structural integrity.

Made of pliable TPU with a conductive compound, these filaments produce wire, circuits, and other components that direct the flow of electricity in wearable and flexible devices, from watches to grippers. Combine them with an insulating material so the electricity flows only through the filament’s pathways and not the rest of the device. In addition to being flexible, TPU is also durable and handles stresses better than ABS and PLA.

Print these filaments on a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. You don’t need a heated printer bed, and printed parts resist shrinking and warping as they cool. Because they’re flexible, these filaments print best at a slow, consistent rate; high print speeds could cause them to jam. They don’t stand up well to moisture, so store them in a dehumidifying cabinet or other sealed container with a desiccant to keep them dry.

To make sure your part conducts electricity properly, use an electrical resistance tester to measure the surface resistivity. The target surface resistivity for TPU is 10¹ to 10⁶ ohms. To adjust, change the temperature of your printer’s extruder. As the extruder’s temperature increases, so will the printed part’s conductivity.

Tensile strength is the best measure of a filament’s overall strength. Similar to the stress applied on a rope during a game of tug-of-war, it’s the amount of pulling force a material can handle before breaking. A higher rating means a stronger filament. A tensile strength of 5,000 psi and above is considered good; 12,000 psi and above is excellent.

TPU blended with a static-dissipative compound, these filaments make gaskets, springs, grippers, and other pliable parts that divert electrostatic shocks in a controlled way, protecting nearby electronics and sensitive equipment. They meet ANSI/ESD and IEC standards for manufacturing, packaging, transporting, and storing items that can be damaged by electrostatic shocks. In addition to being flexible, TPU is also durable and withstands stresses better than ABS and PLA.

Print these filaments on a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. You don’t need a heated printer bed, and printed parts resist shrinking and warping as they cool. Because they’re flexible, these filaments print best at a slow, consistent rate; high print speeds could cause them to jam. They don’t stand up well to moisture, so store them in a dehumidifying cabinet or other sealed container with a desiccant to keep them dry.

Durometer 80A filaments are more flexible than durometer 95A and 74D filaments. Durometer 95A filaments have a balance of flexibility and strength. Durometer 74D filaments are tough and durable. Similar to a tire tread, they can bend repeatedly without cracking.

To make sure your part dissipates static properly, use an electrical resistance tester to measure the surface resistivity. The target surface resistivity for TPU is 10⁶ to 10⁸ ohms. To adjust the resistivity, change the temperature of your printer’s extruder. As the extruder’s temperature increases, so will the printed part’s resistivity.

Tensile strength is the best measure of a filament’s overall strength. Similar to the stress applied to a rope during a game of tug-of-war, it’s the amount of pulling force a material can handle before breaking. A higher rating means a stronger filament. A tensile strength of 5,000 psi and above is considered good; 12,000 psi and above is excellent.

Maximum exposure temperature is the point at which a printed part will begin to deform. Above this temperature, your printed part will start to lose structural integrity.

Parts printed with these filaments absorb less moisture than other types of plastic, making them ideal for use in wet or humid environments. They are more durable and flexible than PLA, and easier to print than ABS. Use these filaments with fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers, and print onto a heated print bed. Printing onto a cool surface causes the molten filament to change temperature rapidly, which can warp your designs. Although finished parts are moisture-resistant, these filaments are sensitive to humidity, and should be stored in a dehumidifying cabinet or a sealed container with desiccant.

Carbon-fiber-filled PETG is more than twice as rigid as unfilled PETG, which makes finished parts more stable and helps them hold their shape. While it is easier to print than unfilled PETG, it is also more abrasive. Use a hardened steel nozzle to print, as this filament will wear out copper and brass nozzles.

Tensile strength is the best measure of a filament's overall strength. Similar to the stress applied on a rope during a game of tug-of-war, it's the amount of pulling force a material can handle before breaking. A higher rating means a stronger filament. A tensile strength of 5,000 psi and above is considered good; 12,000 psi and above is excellent.

Maximum exposure temperature is the point at which a printed part will begin to deform. Above this temperature, your printed parts will start to lose structural integrity.