Best Filament for Functional Prints: PETG, ABS+ & More
Not all 3D prints are decorative. If you're printing brackets, enclosures, jigs, tools, or any part that needs to hold up under real-world stress, you need a filament that can handle the job. This guide covers the best filaments for functional prints and how to choose between them.
What Makes a Filament "Functional"?
A functional filament needs to deliver on some combination of these properties:
- Mechanical strength — resists breaking under load or impact
- Heat resistance — doesn't deform in warm environments (e.g., inside a car, near electronics)
- Dimensional stability — holds tight tolerances for parts that need to fit together
- Chemical resistance — survives exposure to oils, solvents, or moisture
- Layer adhesion — strong inter-layer bonding so parts don't delaminate under stress
Top Filaments for Functional Prints
1. PETG — The Best All-Round Functional Filament
PETG is the go-to choice for most functional applications. It's significantly stronger and more heat-resistant than PLA, yet far easier to print than ABS. It has excellent layer adhesion, good chemical resistance, and handles temperatures up to ~80°C without deforming.
Best for: Brackets, clips, enclosures, outdoor parts, food-safe containers, cable management, drone frames.
Print settings: Nozzle 230–245°C, bed 70–80°C, no enclosure needed.
We recommend eSUN PETG+ for its improved toughness over standard PETG, or eSUN PETG in 2.5kg if you're printing high volumes. High-speed printer users should look at eSUN PETG+HS, which is optimised for speeds above 150mm/s.
2. ABS+ — For High Heat and Engineering Applications
When your part needs to survive temperatures above 80°C, or you need the ability to post-process with acetone for a smooth, sealed finish, ABS+ is the answer. It's tougher and more impact-resistant than PLA, and handles mechanical stress well.
Best for: Automotive parts, electronics enclosures, anything near heat sources, parts that need acetone smoothing or bonding.
Print settings: Nozzle 230–250°C, bed 90–110°C, enclosure strongly recommended, ventilate your workspace.
eSUN ABS+ is our recommended variant — it reduces warping and improves impact resistance compared to standard ABS, making it much more printable. For bulk printing, eSUN ABS+ 2.5kg offers excellent value.
3. PLA+ — Surprisingly Capable for Light Functional Use
Don't underestimate PLA+ for functional prints that won't see high heat or heavy impact. It's stiffer than PETG, prints beautifully, and is far easier to work with. For indoor parts at room temperature — tool holders, organisers, jigs, fixtures — PLA+ is often the most practical choice.
Best for: Indoor tools, jigs, fixtures, organisers, prototypes, parts that won't exceed 50°C.
Print settings: Nozzle 210–230°C, bed 50–60°C, no enclosure needed.
Check out eSUN PLA+ HS — it's tougher and less brittle than standard PLA, making it a solid choice for light functional applications.
Functional Filament Comparison
| Filament | Heat Resistance | Impact Strength | Print Difficulty | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA+ | Low (~60°C) | Moderate | Easy | Indoor tools, jigs, prototypes |
| PETG+ | Medium (~80°C) | High | Easy–Medium | Brackets, outdoor parts, enclosures |
| ABS+ | High (~100°C) | High | Difficult | Engineering parts, high-heat environments |
Tips for Stronger Functional Prints
- Increase wall count: Use 4–6 perimeters instead of the default 2–3 for load-bearing parts.
- Raise infill: 40–60% infill (gyroid or cubic pattern) dramatically improves strength without excessive material use.
- Orient your part correctly: Layer lines are weakest in tension perpendicular to the layers — orient parts so stress runs along the layers, not across them.
- Dry your filament: Wet filament produces weak, bubbly prints. Store filament in sealed containers with desiccant and dry before printing if needed.
- Slow down for critical parts: Reducing print speed improves layer adhesion and dimensional accuracy.
Still Not Sure Which to Choose?
A good rule of thumb: start with PETG for most functional parts. It's the most forgiving material that still delivers real strength and heat resistance. Only move to ABS+ if you specifically need temperatures above 80°C or acetone post-processing.
Browse our full range of 3D printing filaments or contact our team if you'd like a recommendation for your specific application.