Materials
3D Printing Plastics: Complete Materials Guide 2026
3D printer plastic is the most widely used material category in additive manufacturing, available in filament, powder, and resin form across a range of technologies. The 3D printing plastics market is projected to grow from USD $2.36 billion in 2025…
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3D printer plastic is the most widely used material category in additive manufacturing, available in filament, powder, and resin form across a range of technologies. The 3D printing plastics market is projected to grow from USD $2.36 billion in 2025 to USD $5.39 billion by 2030, according to MarketsAndMarkets analysis. From accessible thermoplastics like PLA and ABS to high-performance polymers like PEEK and ULTEM, each material offers a distinct combination of mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties suited to different applications and industries. The following guide covers the most common 3D printing plastics and what sets each one apart.
(Photo Credit: FormFutura)
Standard Thermoplastics
ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS, is one of the most established plastics in both traditional manufacturing and 3D printing. Best known as the material behind Lego bricks, ABS is a thermoplastic with a polybutadiene elastomer base that gives it strong impact resistance and a degree of flexibility uncommon in rigid plastics. It is widely used in automotive components, consumer electronics housings, and household appliances.
Key properties: ABS offers good tensile strength, high impact resistance, and a heat deflection temperature of around 80-100°C, making it suitable for parts that will experience mechanical stress or moderate heat. It produces a smooth surface finish and responds well to acetone vapour smoothing, which bonds layer lines and produces a near-injection-moulded appearance.
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