3D filaments basics

3D filaments basic guide

 

Recent developments in 3D printing have grabbed the attention of many people towards this interesting technology since It enables people to enjoy printing anything and everything ranging from miniature Lego blocks to the cutest decoration pieces, from the comfort of their homes. Oftentimes, it gets difficult to choose which material is best to be used for printing and people end up using the wrong materials for printing their favorite items.

This guide will help you understand which 3D printing filament is best for your required application and what makes each filament different from the other.

What are 3D Printer Filaments?

Just like a normal printer needs different kinds of ink cartridges to print text and vibrant pictures on paper, a 3D printer needs filaments to print, or rather, build 3D objects, layer by layer. These filaments come in a wide variety of colors and materials hence it’s important to choose the right kind of filament for your printing needs.

Filaments are made of a special type of plastic, called thermoplastic, which can be easily melted upon heating and then molded into the desired shape. This special type of plastic also has the ability to solidify when cooled down, hence it effortlessly takes the shape of the object which was required to be printed.

The basic types of 3D printer filaments are:

  • Polylactic Acid (PLA)
  • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
  • Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
  • Polyethylene terephthalate Glycol-Modified (PETG) 
  • Nylon
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
  • High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)

Each of these 3D printer filaments have unique properties which allows them to be used for specific applications. The most popular filament among these is PLA and to find out why that is, you need to read this post till the end.

How does 3D printing work?

Before we jump on to discuss the key characteristics of filaments, lets first understand how this amazing process of 3D printing actually works. 3D printing fundamentally involves the creation of a three-dimensional object from a digital file which has been programmed with instructions for the printer, using a 3D modelling software plus a slicing software. The printer forms the object by printing it layer by layer. It prints a layer and then waits for it to dry until it prints successive layers on top of it. 

The 3D printer heats the filament up until it melts and then squeezes it out via a nozzle which moves according to the set of instructions that it receives from the digital file. The correct movement of the nozzle, coupled with adequate time breaks between successive layers, yields an exactly similar 3D object which was modelled digitally. Some models of 3D printers have multiple nozzles which allow them to print layers made up of different materials and different colors. In a nutshell, it is completely possible to print any sort of 3D object, provided that you have the right filament material as well as an accurately programmed digital file. 

What to Look for When Buying a 3D Printer Filament?

Deciding which filament to buy for your 3D printer can be an extremely daunting task since there is a huge variety of filament materials available in the market. The decision of choosing the right kind of filament can be made easy by considering the following key characteristics.

Aesthetic Properties

The first thing you need to keep in mind while opting for a 3D printer filament are the aesthetics. Do you want your final product to have a matte finish or a glossy finish? Are you planning to use multiple vibrant colors or you’re sticking to mono-tones only? Do you want your printed object to be transparent or translucent?

All of these factors need to be kept in mind while choosing the filament material for your printer. For instance, if you are planning to print a toy part, then you need to choose a material that comes in visually pleasing and bright colors. For this type of application, PLA is the best choice because it is available in a wide variety of colors and shades. PLA can also be blended with various metal powders such as aluminum, brass and copper to give the printed object a metallic look.

Mechanical Properties

The second most important aspect that you need to keep in mind while selecting a filament for your printer is the mechanical properties of the filament material. Do you want your final product to be flexible? Or do you want it to be rigid? Are you planning to print something that is difficult to break?

If you’re looking for something that’s nearly impossible to break, then you must opt for ABS. It is a tough material which is commonly used in Legos. On the other hand, if you need a flexible, rubber-like finish then you should go for TPU because it has excellent elastic properties.

Likewise, if you want something that’s durable as well as flexible, then your best choice is Nylon. It is commonly used in toothbrushes and parachutes.

Temperature Requirements

A very common mistake made by people is that they buy a filament which has a very high melting point which their printer does not support. Some of the materials which require a relatively high extruder temperature (up to 250-260 ) are ABS, Nylon and PETG. Others usually require less than 250 .

Another important factor that should be considered is that some filament materials require a heated bed on which the object is printed. These include ABS, PVA and HIPS. 

Environmental Considerations

Before choosing a filament, it is also essential to consider the environment in which the printing process is taking place because some materials tend to emit hazardous fumes when heated while others produce a strong odor.

If the filament material is emitting toxins, then you need to place your printer in an open environment where the fumes can escape. Some common filaments that emit toxins and odor are ABS, PVA and Nylon.

What are Some of the Most Common Applications of Various Filaments?

With so many different types of printer filaments available, it is impossible to use one filament for all kinds of applications. You must ensure that you’re using the right type of filament for printing your desired object. Here are some of the most common applications of 3D printer filaments that might help you decide which filament best suits your needs.

Filament Type

Application

PLA

Toys, models, prototype parts.

ABS

Unbreakable toys, phone covers, tool handles.

TPU

Phone covers, toys, wrist bands.

PETG

Food containers, water bottles

Nylon

Door hinges, prototype parts, tools

PVA

Used as support material for filaments.

HIPS

Used as support material for filaments.

 

After reading this detailed guide you can definitely decide which 3D printer filament best supports your printing needs. All you need to do is keep in mind all of the key characteristics mentioned here and you’re good to go!

...and a technical summary!

If you have already read the full article and are not satisfied or you need more detail the table below should do the job! Look through the detailed summary of what's what in the world of filaments

ABS PLA TPU PETG Nylon PVA HIPS
Temperatura de impresión 210-250°C 180-230°C 210-230°C 220-250°C 220-270°C 185-200°C 230-245°C
Temperatura de la cama caliente 80-110°C 20-60°C 20-60°C 60-90°C 70-90°C 45-60°C 100-115°C
Cama caliente Obligatorio Opcional Opcional Opcional Obligatorio Obligatorio Obligatorio
Warping Mucho riesgo por alta temperatura de fundida Limitado riesgo Limitado riesgo Limitado riesgo Mucho riesgo por alta temperatura de fundida Limitado riesgo Mucho riesgo por alta temperatura de fundida
Adhesión Limitada Limitada Limitada Limitada Limitada Limitada Limitada
Aroma Intenso y malo Sin aroma Sin aroma Sin aroma Sin aroma Sin aroma Intenso y malo
Resistencia al impacto Alta Limitada Media Alta Alta Baja Muy Alta
Durabilidad Alta Limitada Muy alta Alta Muy alta Alta Alta
Flexibilidad Limitada Poca Muy alta Limitada Media Alta Limitada
Absorbción de humedad Alta
(Manten el filamento separado del aire)
Alta
(Manten el filamento separado del aire)
Alta
(Manten el filamento separado del aire)
Alta
(Manten el filamento separado del aire)
Alta
(Manten el filamento separado del aire)
Muy Alta
(Manten el filamento separado del aire)
Baja
Otras ventajas Resistante al calor
Se puede usar pegamiento
Biodegradable - Mayor adhesión de capas de ABS - Biodegradable, Se disuelve en agua Biodegradable, Se disuelve en limonene (solución de lemón)
Otras desventajas - Atascos de boquilla potenciales La velocidad de la impresión baja (hasta 30 mm/s) La resistencia a temperatura más baja que el ABS Una impresora encajada es recomendada, puede necesitar hotends de aluminio - -
Conclusión El filamento fuerte con mucha resistencia a factores externales El filamento más facil pero con poca durabilidad El filamento fácil para impresión de productos del material parecido a goma Buena sustitución de ABS más facil en uso pero mantiene mayoría de resistencia física Un filamento avanzado con gran resistencia tanto física como de calor pero que necesita un hardware avanzado Por su característica disolvente se utiliza como soporte para impresión de las partes más complejas Por su característica disolvente se utiliza como soporte para impresión de las partes más complejas, especialmente con ABS

 

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