Overview

The matrix material in fiber-reinforced composites serves to transfer loads between fibers, protect fibers from environmental damage, and maintain fiber alignment. Two main categories of matrix materials are used: thermoplastics (which melt and solidify reversibly) and thermosets (which cure irreversibly). FDM primarily uses thermoplastics due to the melt-extrusion process.

Thermoplastic Matrices

Thermoplastics melt at elevated temperatures and solidify during cooling, making them suitable for FDM's layer-by-layer deposition process.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Biodegradable thermoplastic derived from organic (non-petroleum) sources.

Print temp
~210°C
Bed temp
~80°C
Biodegradable
Yes
Food safe
Yes
Warp resistance
High
UV resistance
Low

Advantages: Easy to print, environmentally friendly, warp resistant

Disadvantages: Brittle, lacks UV resistance

FiberVolume %ResultsReference
Carbon 6.6% In-nozzle impregnation method developed Matsuzaki et al., 2016
Carbon 27% Bending strength 335 MPa, modulus 30 GPa Tian et al., 2016
Carbon 34% 14% tensile, 164% bending strength increase Li et al., 2016
Carbon/Flax 18.86-39.27% 430% (carbon), 325% (flax) tensile increase Kuschmitz et al., 2021
Aramid 8.6% Comprehensive mechanical characterization Bettini et al., 2017
Flax — 211% flexural strength, 224% modulus increase Zhang et al., 2020
Basalt — Comparable tensile, superior flexural vs PLA/CF Sang et al., 2019

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Widely used engineering plastic with excellent toughness.

Print temp
High
Food safe
Yes
Impact resistance
Excellent
Wear resistance
Excellent
Warp tendency
High

Advantages: Tough, impact resistant, durable

Disadvantages: Prone to warping, requires high temperatures

FiberVolume %ResultsReference
Carbon 6.5% Flexural strength 127 MPa, UTS 147 MPa, shear 2.81 MPa Yang et al., 2017
Carbon 1.6% Enhanced tensile and fatigue strength with thermal bonding Nakagawa et al., 2017
Kenaf 5-10% Tensile strength 11.48-18.59 MPa Han et al., 2022

Nylon / Polyamide (PA)

Engineering thermoplastic with excellent wear resistance and durability. PA6 is the most common grade for FDM filaments.

Print temp
Up to 265°C
Moisture absorption
High (hygroscopic)
Impact resistance
Excellent
Wear resistance
Excellent
Warp tendency
High

Advantages: Impact and wear resistant, durable

Disadvantages: Hygroscopic (moisture absorbing), warping tendency, high print temperatures

FiberVolume %ResultsReference
Kevlar 4.04-10.1% Elastic modulus 1767-9001 MPa Melenka et al., 2016
Carbon 6CF layers Tensile strength 370-520 MPa Van Der Klift et al., 2016
Carbon/Glass/Kevlar 26.8-73.4% Highest shear strength for carbon Caminero et al., 2018
Carbon/Glass — 25% modulus decrease at 95% RH (carbon) Chabaud et al., 2019

Moisture Effects on PA6

Source: Chabaud et al., 2019

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified)

Modified PET with lower melting temperature and improved printability.

Print temp
Moderate
UV resistance
Excellent
Chemical resistance
Excellent
Warp tendency
Low
Food safe
Yes

Advantages: UV-resistant, excellent mechanical properties, minimal warping, chemical resistant

Disadvantages: Poor adhesion, stringing during printing

FiberVolume %ResultsReference
Aramid 45% +1550% modulus, +1150% strength vs unreinforced Rijckaert et al., 2022
Carbon 20% 23% yield strength improvement vs conventional structures Alarifi, 2023

PC (Polycarbonate)

Advanced engineering thermoplastic with the highest strength among FDM filaments.

Print temp
Up to 310°C
Glass transition
150°C
Hygroscopic
High
Strength
Highest
Warp tendency
High

Advantages: Highest strength, excellent mechanical properties, high temperature resistance

Disadvantages: Requires very high print temperatures, highly hygroscopic, warping prone

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

Flexible filament with excellent elasticity.

Shore Hardness
95
Flexibility
High
Layer bonding
Excellent
Abrasion resistance
Excellent
Appearance
Semi-transparent

Advantages: Flexible, strong, excellent layer bonding, easy to print among flexible filaments

FiberVolume %ResultsReference
Glass 34.8% >700% increase in tensile strength and elastic modulus Akhoundi et al., 2020

PP (Polypropylene)

Recycled-compatible thermoplastic with good chemical resistance and low cost.

FiberContentResultsReference
Hemp 5% Highest tensile strength Sultan et al., 2024
Hemp 20% Highest Young's modulus Sultan et al., 2024

Other Thermoplastics

MaterialKey Characteristics
HIPS (High-Impact Polystyrene)Soluble support material, durable, emits fumes
PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol)Water-soluble support, biodegradable, expensive
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone)High-performance, biomedical applications
PEI (Polyetherimide)High temperature resistance
PPSU (Polyphenyl Sulfone)Chemical resistance
PBS (Polybutylene Succinate)Biodegradable (63% modulus improvement with hemp)

Thermoset Matrices

Thermosets undergo irreversible curing (hardening) and are less common in FDM but used in some continuous fiber composite applications.

Material TypeExamples
Photo-curable resinsUV-cured polymers
Acrylic-based resinsVarious acrylates
Cyanate etherHigh-temperature applications

Anisoprint uses thermosetting resin for pre-impregnating continuous fibers.

Matrix Material Comparison

Material Print Temp Strength Flexibility Ease of Print Cost
PLALowModerateLowEasyLow
ABSHighHighModerateModerateLow
Nylon/PAHighHighHighDifficultModerate
PETGModerateHighModerateEasyLow
PCVery HighHighestModerateDifficultModerate
TPUModerateModerateHighestModerateModerate
PPModerateModerateHighModerateLow

Material Selection Guide

Application RequirementRecommended Materials
High strengthPC, Nylon/PA + Carbon fiber
FlexibilityTPU
Outdoor usePETG (UV resistant)
BiodegradabilityPLA, PBS
Impact resistanceABS, Nylon
Chemical resistancePETG, PP
Food contactPLA, PETG, Nylon (food-safe grades)
Low costPLA, ABS, PETG
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