<p>The backstory: I'm installing a pigeon net in my home. Because of the shape of the opening I'm installing the net in and the material on the sides it's difficult to anchor the net using the normal means but I can print clips that will hold the net in place.</p>

<p>The clips will be outside and will be exposed to the weather and direct sunlight, the weather here is relatively hot (up to 30C) with a lot of sun most of the year and rain in the winter.</p>

<p>I only have PLA, ABS and PETG available, anything else will take too long to arrive.</p>

<p>I don't care about the parts changing color and mostly I don't care about them deforming a little bit - only about breaking.</p>

<p>If the parts have to be replaced after a year I'm ok with it, less then that will be annoying, longer will be better.</p>

<p>So, under those conditions, which of the 3 materials is more durable?</p>

[{'answer_id': 3857, 'author': 'Diesel', 'author_id': 5518, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/5518', 'pm_score': 4, 'selected': False, 'text': "<p>PLA would be a non-starter for outdoor use as it's biodegradable and can breakdown in sunlight. Albeit slowly, but won't be useful for long term project. </p>\n\n<p>ABS would be a good choice for longevity, as it can last in outdoor situations for quite a while. Its glass transition temperature is above 100 degrees celsius so it'll last in most climates. As for strength ABS is one of the better choices out there, also it's slightly softer than PLA meaning it will flex before breaking, PLA is much more likely to shatter. ABS is well known for warping while printing though. Not a huge problem though, if you're used to printing with it. </p>\n\n<p>PETG not a bad choice either. It has a glass transition temperature around 80-90°C. So if you're building in a hot place with direct sunlight with some reflection, you could have deformation issues, though not that likely. It is stronger than ABS and it's also easier to print (less warping issues). PETG is also supposedly 'food safe' meaning if the outdoor animals start pecking at it, it'll probably not kill them... I wouldn't recommend trying to taste it though. Finally PETG is a bit closer to PLA in terms of brittleness so it may shatter before flexing. ABS is less brittle than PETG.</p>\n\n<p>If it were me I'd go with ABS despite its issues with warping while printing. If you're newer to printing, then probably better to go with PETG.</p>\n"}, {'answer_id': 5165, 'author': 'Nir', 'author_id': 170, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/170', 'pm_score': 6, 'selected': True, 'text': "<p>Ok, I tried all 3 materials.</p>\n\n<p>PLA failed after less then one day, I believe it deformed from the constant pressure and fell out (I didn't find the part but I didn't really search for it, there's some tall grass below the window)</p>\n\n<p>ABS lasted about a year, it fell strait down and I found the part, it looks ok if probably deformed by just a few mm so it doesn't pressure fit anymore.</p>\n\n<p>PETG still going strong as I write this</p>\n"}, {'answer_id': 6401, 'author': 'Rob', 'author_id': 12338, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/12338', 'pm_score': 2, 'selected': False, 'text': '<p>We use PLA in an outdoor environment, non-direct sunlight.  PLA seems to be just as strong as day one. It has been about six months now. </p>\n\n<p>Of course, you must seal coat to protect from moisture.</p>\n'}, {'answer_id': 8552, 'author': 'Tim', 'author_id': 14940, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/14940', 'pm_score': 1, 'selected': False, 'text': "<p>What colour was your PLA? PLA will soften around 60C and a dark colour will easily get hotter than that in direct sun on a 30C day.  Clear PLA seems to have much, much better temperature resistance, but any sort of PETG will kick it's butt in that regard.</p>\n"}, {'answer_id': 8617, 'author': 'James Hanvey', 'author_id': 15047, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/15047', 'pm_score': 3, 'selected': False, 'text': "<p>I might be late to the party, but I have a suggestion. Why not use ASA filament, it's the kind of plastic used in car cup holders, lawn rakes and sprinkler heads, it is both heat and cold resistant, as well as solar stable and weatherproof. As far as printing with it it is similar to printing in ABS as far as I am aware, I might be wrong though. I personally am surprised how often this kind of question pops up and literally No One mentions ASA filament. I think I might buy some because I like the idea of printing something that can be left outside.</p>\n"}]
['https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3853', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/170/']