A Comparative Study on the Load-Dependent Tribological Performance of Standard and Aesthetic 3D-Printed Filaments PETG, PLA+, Matte, and Silk

The increasing adoption of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) for functional applications necessitates a rigorous characterization of diverse filament formulations under mechanical stress. This study addresses the current research gap by systematically evaluating the load-dependent friction and thermal evolution of PETG, PLA+, PLA-Matte, and PLA-Silk. Through dry sliding tests under loads ranging from 5 to 15 N, we integrated real-time temperature monitoring to reveal how visual additives influence functional performance. The findings indicate that aesthetic modifications do more than alter appearance; they fundamentally dictate the tribological response. PLA-Silk demonstrated superior efficiency by maintaining the lowest coefficient of friction (0.54 at 15 N) and minimal heat generation, which is likely attributable to its unique additive formulation. Conversely, PLA-Matte proved susceptible to frictional heating, generating surface temperatures up to 53.9±1.4°C. This heat accumulation, approaching the glass transition region, triggered a rapid transition to severe adhesive wear and subsequently compromised the material’s structural integrity. While PLA+ emerged as the most balanced candidate for general use due to its stable wear rate, PETG showed distinct sensitivity to higher loads. Ultimately, this work identifies surface temperature as a decisive factor in FDM tribology. It concludes that materials designed for aesthetics require specific operational constraints when utilized in functional, sliding-contact applications.