Filament Filament is the primary material used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers. It is a thermoplastic extruded into a thin, consistent strand, typically 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm in diameter. Common filament types include PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and nylon, each suited to specific applications. Filaments come in spools and are fed into the printer's extruder, where they are heated, melted, and deposited layer by layer. Filament quality significantly impacts print reliability, surface finish, and strength. Factors like moisture absorption, diameter tolerance, and material composition play critical roles in the success of 3D printing projects. |