Here's how you can explore the applications and varieties of 3D Printing materials.

PLA being one of the cheapest 3D printing materials is ideal for printing prototypes and prints which don't require high strength, such as cases, toys, figurines, lithophanes, etc. PLA is also translucent, which makes it ideal for lamps amd luminous decorations. However I wouldn't recommend PLA for many finished products except the ones listed above, due to it's relatively low impact resistance. PLA is generally recommended for low stress parts, and is good for testing and calibrating different parameters of your printer as it is one of the easiest filaments to print from.

For beginners this is the best material to get started for exploring applications. It is so easy to print and the surface finish is unbeatable. Even though the material properties are the limiting factor, it’s still one of the most used materials for fff printing. It is a good starting point for anyone wanting to get experienced with 3D printing and understand the principles of fff 3D printing.

PLA is one of the best plastic substitute in the world. Due to its low melting point, gives it the ability to be shaped easily and freely, also it works perfect with printers, making it the least material to wear out your nozzle. However, PLA is recommended for in-door use, such as decorative items, lamp shades, or any prototyping model you want to create, because due to its low melting temp, it cant be used out-door or be exposed to wear factors such as strong sunlight, since it would start deforming. The beauty of PLA is that you can find a couple added with some additives to give you a better finish, such carbon fiber PLA, and wood PLA. These are just few examples of what PLA could offer you. It's a great material to start learning 3DP.

It seems amongst engineers and 3D printing hobbyists that the price of plastics is a hot topic, I for one would never consider the price since it is realistically low compared to ink for paper printers. Get messy and make mistakes creating as many practical applications as possible, there are so many downloadable files to accompany personal projects. Good Luck!

I would recommend using ABS for relatively finished prototypes and even finished products, as it is already used for injection moulding for decades and is one of the most popular polyplastics when it comes to industrial and automotive components, for both functional and furnishing purposes.

Many people choose to use ABS because it is popular for injection moulding however the advantages there do not translate well to 3D printing. When compared to other FDM materials ABS is harder to print, has poorer mechanical properties and can give off harmful gasses. Despite the material itself being similar, an ABS 3D printed prototype will not be mechanically representative of an injection moulded part. One of the only major advantages to ABS is its ability to be vapour smoothed using acetone which most do not have the facilities to take advantage of.

PETG is a semi flexible materials which is easier to print than ABS, and the flexibility would be somewhere between PLA and TPU, depending on the grade of the material. Similar to PLA, it is available in a wode range of colours and offers excellent chemical resistance, making it ideal for food and beverage containers! Some grades of PETG, again similar to PLA are available as Sterile and Biocompatible.

Tpu materials are very versatile in their usage for different kind of applications. It is available in different shores hardnesses varying from super flexible (like 70A) to more sturdy but still flexible (64D). But also in the print preparation phase, such as slicing, the user can make choices for the infill percentage and structure in order to have a certain amount of flexibility. A part might look very similar with a copy of it, but might behave completely different based on the infill. Think about dampening blocks which need the right kind of dampening.

3D-printed elastomers like TPU can be extremely durable in end-use applications and are also great for prototyping elastomer parts. Unfortunately, anything below Shore A80 becomes very difficult to print, especially with a Bowden setup as the filament compresses and stretches leading to poor extrusion accuracy.

From personal usage experience, I could say that parts made with carbon fiber reinforced filaments can be incredibly strong while remaining lightweight. This translates to increased fuel efficiency, in aerospace and automotive industries, lighter components mean less weight to carry, leading to significant fuel savings and enhanced performance, lighter sporting goods like tennis rackets or bicycles provide better maneuverability and responsiveness Kevlar, known for its excellent ballistic resistance properties can enable Kevlar reinforced 3D printing Filaments to produce lightweight bulletproof vests and body armour, even firearm components to make them lighter and more manuevrable.

There are multiple ways to get more insights in the material properties in order to find a good application fit and vice versa. Most material and 3D printer manufacturers offer overviews with key material properties and application fit. When comparing multiple overviews, users get a good understanding of the properties and differences between material types. Understanding the application and knowing what requirements need to be met, can make the material selection process even easier.