Beyond Datasheets: A Comparative Evaluation of Standard and Technical Filaments in High-Speed FDM 3D Printing

Abstract

This study presents a systematic comparative evaluation of the printing performance of both standard and technical filament types on a high-speed FDM 3D printer (Creality K1 Max). Unlike datasheet-based comparisons, this research experimentally investigates the real-world effects of nozzle temperature, bed temperature, print speed, volumetric flow rate, and cooling settings across nine widely available filament types, including PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, ASA, PC, carbon-reinforced PLA, silk PLA and hyper PLA. Using standardized test geometries and consistent environmental controls, the study assesses dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and warping tendencies. The results demonstrate that while Hyper PLA enables printing speeds up to 300 mm/s with minimal surface defects, technical filaments like ABS and PC require strict temperature and cooling regulation to avoid warping and delamination. A correlation heatmap and optimization matrix were constructed to visualize key parameter interactions. This work contributes to the field by offering a consolidated, data-driven guide for tuning print parameters based on filament-specific behavior—extending beyond catalog data and enabling informed material selection and process control in high-speed 3D printing applications.