Materials Guide

We know that the world of 3D printing can often be confusing and sometimes even quite difficult. This is why we have created this easy-to-understand materials guide to help you understand more about different types of recycled 3D Printer Filament. Here you will find information like recommended temperatures & example applications for the filaments.

Once you’ve had a look at the guide, and hopefully got more of an idea of what you need, please make sure you take a look at our online shop to take a look at the products we have to offer. We’re sure you’ll find the filament you’re looking for.

These details relate to tests we conducted on Filamentive recycled 3D Printer Filament and there may be variations across different brands of filament. Please ensure that you consult your filament provider about their recommended settings. There may also be variations depending on the type of 3D printer you are using.

PLA 3D Printer Filament

PLA (polylactic acid) is the most popular filament for 3D printers. It is also the most environmentally friendly due to being bio-based and renewably-sourced, not oil-based.

Filamentive PLA filament is easy to print, low warp, and available in a wide range of colours.

Where possible, recycled PLA material from industrial waste is used to further reduce environmental impact and ensure your 3D printing is more sustainable, without compromise.

PLA filament is ideal for general prototyping and 3D printing of consumer products.

3D printing temperature: 205±10°C
Heated bed temperature: ≤60°C

87% Recycled plastic

Available colours

ePLA 3D Printer Filament

ePLA – short for engineering PLA – has been specifically engineered to provide an industrial-grade PLA filament, with comparably mechanical properties to ABS. ePLA is an easy to print, bio-based PLA filament, offering excellent interlayer adhesion.

Post-annealing, ePLA offers heat resistance (HDT) of >95°C, with minimal shrinkage.

ePLA filament is a viable ABS alternative for applications such as functional prototypes and even end-use parts.

3D printing temperature: 230±10°C
Heated bed temperature: 50-60°C

50% Recycled plastic

Available colours

PLA Matte 3D Printer Filament

This matte PLA filament has been created to provide a textured, matte finish for the extra aesthetic effect. PLA matte is just as easy as PLA filament to 3D-print and is also produced from 70% recycled PLA material to further lower the environmental impact.

PLA Matte filament is ideal for 3D printed models requiring a matte finish for added aesthetic value.

Note: PLA Matte is more abrasive than regular PLA, so a hardened / steel nozzle is recommended.

3D printing temperature: 215±10°C
Heated bed temperature: ≤60°C

70% Recycled plastic

Available colours

PLA Cosmic 3D Printer Filament

This PLA filament is specially formulated with non-toxic aluminium flakes to provide a stunning, glitter finish.

PLA Cosmic further enhances 3D prints by hiding layer lines and reflecting light. Despite the aluminium flakes this is an easy to print, non-abrasive filament – no special nozzle needed.

PLA Cosmic filament is ideal for 3D printed models requiring a glittery finish for added aesthetic value.

3D printing temperature: 205±10°C
Heated bed temperature: ≤60°C

10% Recycled plastic

Wood PLA 3D Printer Filament

As the product name suggests, Wood PLA is a PLA based filament containing 40% recycled wood fibres – providing a realistic wood finish, texture and even smell! Akin to regular PLA, Wood PLA is easy to print and low warp.

Wood PLA prints can be further enhanced by post-processing – e.g. sanding and varnishing.

Wood PLA filament is ideal for the 3D printing of consumer goods, decorative items and bespoke products which will be enhanced by the realistic wood finish and feel.

Note: The addition of wood fibres necessitates a larger nozzle – ≥ 0.5 mm

3D printing temperature: 200±10°C
Heated bed temperature: ≤60°C

50% Recycled plastic

Available colours

Tough PLA 3D Printer Filament

Tough PLA filament is an industrial-grade PLA offering the impact strength of ABS, whilst retaining the sustainability and printability of PLA.

PLA Tough has superior Charpy Impact (Kj/m2) – a high strain-rate test as per ISO 179. PLA Tough retains beneficial properties of our (r)PLA such as low warp and low shrinkage.

The mechanical properties of this tough PLA filament enables efficient machinability for post-processing work such as CNC, drilling and sanding.

PLA Tough filament is ideal for the 3D printing of functional prototypes, manufacturing aids or even end-use parts where impact resistance is needed beyond a regular PLA.

3D printing temperature: 210±10°C
Heated bed temperature: ≥60°C

Available colours

PETg 3D Printer Filament

PETg is a glycol-modified version of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). PETg is widely used polymer and is increasing in usage within 3D printing also due to being easy to print, whilst also offering durability comparable to ABS.

PETg also offers water resistance, chemical resistance and heat resistance (Tg) up to 77°C.

Generally, PETg recycling rates are low which is why recycled PETg from post-industrial waste sources is utilised where possible, making Filamentive PETg a more sustainable alternative to virgin PETg filament on the market.

PETg filament is ideal for applications requiring a material more durable than PLA.

Note: rPETg colours – grey, silver, blue, green, red, orange – originate from a different recycled source to our black, white and transparent colours. As such, print temperatures & fan speed settings may differ slightly.

3D printing temperature (black, white, transparent, frost white): 240±10°C
Heated bed temperature: ≤70°C

3D printing temperature (blue, red, green, orange, silver, grey): 250±10°C
Heated bed temperature: ≤70°C

67% Recycled plastic

Available colours

Carbon Fibre-PETg 3D Printer Filament

Carbon Fibre-PETg is a composite 3D printer filament – 85% (r)PETg, 15% chopped carbon fibre powder. Retaining the durability of PETg, the addition of carbon fibre makes this an extremely stiff material.

3D printed parts produced from Carbon Fibre-PETg have a semi-matte, graphite surface finish, which further enhances aesthetical looks by hiding layer lines.

Carbon Fibre-PETg filament is ideal for functional prototypes, or even end-use parts where compressive strength may be required.

Note: this is an abrasive material, so we recommend the use of a hardened / steel nozzle.

3D printing temperature: 240±15°C
Heated bed temperature: ≤70°C

100% Recycled material

ABS 3D Printer Filament

ABS is a widely used polymer within industry, due to its strength and being relatively lightweight. Within 3D printing, ABS use is decreasing, in part because of the tendency to warp and a strong odour which affects the environment in which the 3D printer is situated.

To combat this, Filamentive ABS is a next generation filament, modified to ensure virtually no warp and excellent adhesion – both bed and interlayer.

ABS filament is ideal for applications necessitating an industrial-grade material where mechanical performance is required.

3D printing temperature: 245±10°C
Heated bed temperature: ≤100°C

64% Recycled plastic

Available colours

ASA 3D Printer Filament

Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate – shortened as ASA – is an industrial-grade thermoplastic, specifically developed as an alternative to ABS. The key feature of ASA is it’s UV stability – enabling 3D-prints to be placed outdoors / in direct sunlight.

Akin to Filamentive ABS, this ASA filament has been modified to ensure zero warping and excellent adhesion – enabling improved 3D printing performance.

ASA filament is ideal for applications where both mechanical properties and UV resistance are required.

3D printing temperature: 240±10°C
Heated bed temperature:  80-90°C

50% Recycled plastic

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