PP filament

Light, tough polypropylene that springs back instead of breaking and resists many chemicals.

PP filament is polypropylene: the same light, tough plastic used in hinged caps, storage boxes and lab containers. It springs back instead of breaking and resists many chemicals. Below you will find Fiberlogy PP in many colours, including pastel and skin tones, and R PP made from recycled material. Below the products you can read how to make PP stick, because that is the trickiest part. Read more…

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What is PP filament?

Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most widely used plastics in the world, from packaging to car bumpers. It is also one of the lightest materials to print with, with a density of around 0.9 g/cm³. Fiberlogy PP is flexible and tough, has high tensile and impact strength and bonds very well between layers. It is odourless, non-toxic according to Fiberlogy, and recyclable.

Why choose PP?

  • Hinges that keep working: PP can bend many times without breaking. This lets you print a hinge that forms one piece with the box and lid.
  • Chemical resistance: resists many acids, bases, oils, greases and solvents.
  • Light: sturdy parts without much weight.

Printing PP: how to make it stick

PP sticks to almost nothing, including most build plates and glues. That makes it resistant, but also harder to print than PLA or PETG. With the right surface it works well.

  • Nozzle: 220–250 °C, for all colours.
  • Print bed: according to Fiberlogy, a heated bed is not required.
  • Print surface: print on PP tape, such as packing tape, or on a PP-compatible plate. For R PP we recommend Magigoo Pro PP, an adhesive made specifically for PP.
  • Cooling: low, to limit warping.
  • First layer: print it wide and use a brim so the edges do not lift.

More background is in Fiberlogy PP filament: light, strong and flexible. Something going wrong? Solving common 3D printing problems covers the most common problems and their solutions.

Pros and cons of PP filament

Advantages

  • Springs back instead of breaking
  • Resists many chemicals
  • One of the lightest filaments
  • Odourless while printing

Disadvantages

  • Adheres poorly to ordinary build plates; you need tape or a PP adhesive
  • Shrinks as it cools and can therefore warp
  • Printed parts are hard to glue
  • Less stiff than PLA or PETG; for stiff, wear-resistant parts choose nylon PA12

Applications of PP filament

  • Everyday use: boxes with a closure, hangers, handles and watch straps.
  • Lab and workshop: drip trays, lab containers and parts that come into contact with oil or cleaning agents.
  • Model making and toys: bumpers, wings and drone parts.
  • Wearable aids: with the three skin tones you can print parts for orthoses, for example.

PP is part of our technical filament.

Frequently asked questions

  • What does PP filament stick to?

    PP mainly sticks to PP itself. That is why you print it on PP tape, such as packing tape, on a PP-compatible build plate or with an adhesive such as Magigoo Pro PP. On glass, a smooth PEI sheet or with an ordinary glue stick, PP usually comes loose. Degrease the surface and squish the first layer well.

  • What is the difference between PP and PETG?

    PETG is stiffer and sticks easily to the build plate, which makes it easier to print. PP is lighter, springs back instead of breaking and resists more chemicals. For a box with a hinge that is opened and closed often, or a container for oil or cleaning agents, choose PP. For most other functional parts PETG is enough.

  • Can I print PP on a Bambu Lab printer?

    Yes. PP prints at 220–250 °C, which most printers can reach, and a heated bed is not required. The key is a surface that PP sticks to: put PP tape on your build plate or use Magigoo Pro PP. According to our product data, the regular PP colours fit in the Bambu Lab AMS.

  • Is PP filament food safe?

    As a raw material, polypropylene is widely used for food packaging, and Fiberlogy describes its PP as non-toxic. A printed object is a different matter: there are small grooves between the layers where dirt and bacteria remain, and colourant, nozzle and printer also play a role. So do not use printed PP objects repeatedly for food or drink.

  • What is R PP?

    R PP Anthracite is Fiberlogy PP made from 100% recycled material, in anthracite grey. According to Fiberlogy, the raw material comes only from verified sources, to prevent contamination. It prints at the same 220–250 °C as regular PP. For adhesion we recommend Magigoo Pro PP.