Choosing the Right 3D Printed Materials for Robotics

Zakaria EL MLILAH
Oct 6
2 min read

Updated: Oct 21

Material choice shapes how your robot performs, feels, and survives. Each filament reacts differently to heat, friction, and motion—and each affects your printer’s nozzle in its own way. Let’s decode which one fits your next build.

PLA – Fast, Accurate & Beginner-Friendly

Why use it: Rigid, detailed, biodegradable.
Downside: Brittle and softens above 60 °C.
Nozzle temp: 190–210 °C; Bed temp: 50–60 °C; Print speed: 50–70 mm/s; Cooling: 100%.
Nozzle impact: Gentle on brass nozzles. Use for decorative or lightly loaded parts.

PETG – The Tough All-Rounder

Why use it: Flexible yet strong; great layer adhesion.
Downside: Can string and stick to the nozzle.
Nozzle temp: 230–250 °C; Bed temp: 70–85 °C; Print speed: 40–55 mm/s; Cooling: 40–60%.
Nozzle impact: Slightly abrasive; clean nozzle regularly.
Use for frames, brackets and parts exposed to vibration.

ABS – Strong Under Stress

Why use it: Heat-resistant and rugged.
Downside: Warps and produces fumes; requires enclosure.
Nozzle temp: 240–260 °C; Bed temp: 100–110 °C; Print speed: 40–60 mm/s; Cooling: minimal.
Nozzle impact: Safe for brass. Use for servo mounts, frames and load-bearing links.

Nylon – Industrial Power in a Spool

Why use it: Exceptional wear and fatigue resistance.
Downside: Absorbs moisture quickly; keep dry.
Nozzle temp: 250–270 °C; Bed temp: 70–90 °C; Print speed: 35–50 mm/s; Cooling: low.
Nozzle impact: Medium abrasion—use hardened-steel or ruby nozzles.
Use for gears, hinges and joints enduring torque or friction.

Composite & Fiber-Filled Filaments

Additives like carbon or glass fiber create lighter yet stiffer parts.
Settings: Nozzle temp 250–280 °C, Bed temp 80–90 °C, print speed 30–45 mm/s, Cooling 30%.
Nozzle impact: Highly abrasive—always use hardened steel or ruby nozzles.
Use for robotic arms and frames requiring ultra-rigidity.

Material Performance Quick View:

Material	Strength	Flexibility	Heat Resistance	Nozzle Wear	Best For
PLA	Moderate	Low	Low	Low	Covers and visual parts
PETG	Balanced	Moderate	Moderate	Low–Medium	Frames and brackets
ABS	High	Moderate	High	Low	Servo mounts
Nylon	Very High	High	High	Medium	Gears and joints
Carbon / Glass Mix	Very High	Low	High	High	Structural arms

ZEED Tips:

Clean your nozzle every 200 g of PETG or composite prints.
Keep humidity below 20% for nylon.
Use a 0.4 mm nozzle for detail, 0.6 mm for strength.
When switching materials, purge with high-temp cleaning filament.

Choosing a filament is like choosing a robot’s skeleton. PLA gets you started; PETG and ABS balance realism and strength; nylon and composites elevate you to industrial-grade builds. The best results come from pairing the right filament, nozzle, and print settings with your design’s mechanical intent.