Wich is the best Filament
Verfasst: 28. Mär 2026, 07:03
Filament Information:
The Ultimate Filament Guide for SimRacing & Technology.
Choosing the right material is crucial for the stability and appearance of your parts. Here you'll find everything you need to know at a glance:
PLA (Polylactic Acid) – Beginner-friendly & Detailed.
Print temp.: 190–220 °C | Heated bed: 40–60 °C (not mandatory, but recommended).
Nozzle: Standard brass | Special feature: Minimal warping, ideal for decorations and prototypes without heat exposure.
PETG – Robust & UV-resistant.
Print temp.: 230–250 °C | Heated bed: 70–90 °C (essential).
Nozzle: Standard brass | Special feature: Impact-resistant and weatherproof. Perfect for SimRacing mounts and functional parts.
ABS / ASA – Heat-resistant & Mechanically durable.
Print temp.: 240–260 °C | Heated bed: 90–110 °C (essential, enclosed build chamber recommended).
Nozzle: Standard brass | Special feature: High impact resistance. ASA is also extremely UV-stable. Ideal for automotive interior technology.
TPU/TPE – Flexible & vibration-damping.
Print temperature: 210–235 °C | Heated bed: 50–70 °C.
Nozzle: Standard brass | Special feature: Rubber-like. Ideal for seals, vibration dampers on the rig, or non-slip feet.
Carbon fiber (CF-reinforced) – Ultra-stiff & professional look
. Print temperature: Material-dependent (based on PETG/PA) | Heated bed: 80–110 °C.
Nozzle: Must be hardened steel (fibers are abrasive!).
Special feature: Extremely torsionally rigid and matte finish. The ultimate choice for steering wheel covers and shifters.
The comprehensive filament comparison test:
I put the most common filaments through their paces – from printability to mechanical strength on the sim rig. Here are my results:
1. PLA (Polylactic Acid) – The easy entry point.
Test conclusion: Unbeatable in terms of detail and dimensional accuracy. Perfect for anything that needs to look good and isn't exposed to heat.
Advantages: Extremely easy to print, no odor, no warping.
Disadvantages: Brittle, deforms at around 50-60°C (be careful in direct sunlight!).
Settings: Nozzle 190-220°C | Bed 40-60°C (optional) | Standard brass nozzle.
2. PETG – The price-performance winner for sim racers.
Test conclusion: My favorite for almost all rig components. It's tougher than PLA and easily withstands summer temperatures in the gaming room.
Advantages: High impact resistance, UV-resistant, very good layer adhesion.
Disadvantages: Tends to string (fine threads), sometimes adheres too strongly to glass beds.
Settings: Nozzle 230–250°C | Bed 70–90°C (mandatory) | Standard brass nozzle.
3. ABS / ASA – For top technical performance.
Test conclusion: ASA is the "better ABS." It is easier to print and completely weatherproof. Ideal for parts that are installed in real cars.
Advantages: Very temperature stable (up to 95°C+), sandable and smoothable with acetone.
Disadvantages: Strong odor (ventilate!), prone to cracking (warping) without an enclosure.
Settings: Nozzle 240–260°C | Bed 90–110°C (enclosure strongly recommended) | Standard brass nozzle.
4. Carbon Fiber (CF-PETG / CF-PA) – High-end look & stiffness.
Test conclusion: Anyone building steering wheel plates or shifters can't do without this. The matte finish almost completely conceals printed layers.
Advantages: Extremely stiff, hardly any shrinkage, looks extremely professional.
Disadvantages: More expensive and brittle than pure PETG.
Settings: Material-dependent | Bed 80–110°C | Must have a hardened steel nozzle (brass will be destroyed immediately).
5. TPU (Flexible) – Goodbye vibrations
! Test conclusion: A must for seals or non-slip surfaces. Layer adhesion is indestructible.
Advantages: Rubber-like, vibration-damping, extremely abrasion-resistant.
Disadvantages: Slow printing, difficult with Bowden extruders (direct extruder recommended).
Settings: Nozzle 210–235°C | Bed 50–70°C | Standard brass nozzle.
The Ultimate Filament Guide for SimRacing & Technology.
Choosing the right material is crucial for the stability and appearance of your parts. Here you'll find everything you need to know at a glance:
PLA (Polylactic Acid) – Beginner-friendly & Detailed.
Print temp.: 190–220 °C | Heated bed: 40–60 °C (not mandatory, but recommended).
Nozzle: Standard brass | Special feature: Minimal warping, ideal for decorations and prototypes without heat exposure.
PETG – Robust & UV-resistant.
Print temp.: 230–250 °C | Heated bed: 70–90 °C (essential).
Nozzle: Standard brass | Special feature: Impact-resistant and weatherproof. Perfect for SimRacing mounts and functional parts.
ABS / ASA – Heat-resistant & Mechanically durable.
Print temp.: 240–260 °C | Heated bed: 90–110 °C (essential, enclosed build chamber recommended).
Nozzle: Standard brass | Special feature: High impact resistance. ASA is also extremely UV-stable. Ideal for automotive interior technology.
TPU/TPE – Flexible & vibration-damping.
Print temperature: 210–235 °C | Heated bed: 50–70 °C.
Nozzle: Standard brass | Special feature: Rubber-like. Ideal for seals, vibration dampers on the rig, or non-slip feet.
Carbon fiber (CF-reinforced) – Ultra-stiff & professional look
. Print temperature: Material-dependent (based on PETG/PA) | Heated bed: 80–110 °C.
Nozzle: Must be hardened steel (fibers are abrasive!).
Special feature: Extremely torsionally rigid and matte finish. The ultimate choice for steering wheel covers and shifters.
The comprehensive filament comparison test:
I put the most common filaments through their paces – from printability to mechanical strength on the sim rig. Here are my results:
1. PLA (Polylactic Acid) – The easy entry point.
Test conclusion: Unbeatable in terms of detail and dimensional accuracy. Perfect for anything that needs to look good and isn't exposed to heat.
Advantages: Extremely easy to print, no odor, no warping.
Disadvantages: Brittle, deforms at around 50-60°C (be careful in direct sunlight!).
Settings: Nozzle 190-220°C | Bed 40-60°C (optional) | Standard brass nozzle.
2. PETG – The price-performance winner for sim racers.
Test conclusion: My favorite for almost all rig components. It's tougher than PLA and easily withstands summer temperatures in the gaming room.
Advantages: High impact resistance, UV-resistant, very good layer adhesion.
Disadvantages: Tends to string (fine threads), sometimes adheres too strongly to glass beds.
Settings: Nozzle 230–250°C | Bed 70–90°C (mandatory) | Standard brass nozzle.
3. ABS / ASA – For top technical performance.
Test conclusion: ASA is the "better ABS." It is easier to print and completely weatherproof. Ideal for parts that are installed in real cars.
Advantages: Very temperature stable (up to 95°C+), sandable and smoothable with acetone.
Disadvantages: Strong odor (ventilate!), prone to cracking (warping) without an enclosure.
Settings: Nozzle 240–260°C | Bed 90–110°C (enclosure strongly recommended) | Standard brass nozzle.
4. Carbon Fiber (CF-PETG / CF-PA) – High-end look & stiffness.
Test conclusion: Anyone building steering wheel plates or shifters can't do without this. The matte finish almost completely conceals printed layers.
Advantages: Extremely stiff, hardly any shrinkage, looks extremely professional.
Disadvantages: More expensive and brittle than pure PETG.
Settings: Material-dependent | Bed 80–110°C | Must have a hardened steel nozzle (brass will be destroyed immediately).
5. TPU (Flexible) – Goodbye vibrations
! Test conclusion: A must for seals or non-slip surfaces. Layer adhesion is indestructible.
Advantages: Rubber-like, vibration-damping, extremely abrasion-resistant.
Disadvantages: Slow printing, difficult with Bowden extruders (direct extruder recommended).
Settings: Nozzle 210–235°C | Bed 50–70°C | Standard brass nozzle.