Difference between revisions of "3D printing filaments"

From CAMEO
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 18: Line 18:
 
| Brittle, low heat resistance,  can warp
 
| Brittle, low heat resistance,  can warp
 
| 180-230 C
 
| 180-230 C
| Prototyping, decorative objects,  toys
+
| Prototyping, decorative objects,  toys, temporary surgical implants
 
|-
 
|-
 
| ABS  (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
 
| ABS  (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
| Strong, durable, high temperature  resistance, good for functional parts
+
| Strong, durable, high temperature  resistance, good for functional parts, inexpensive
| Prone to warping, requires  heated bed, strong odor
+
| Prone to warping, requires  heated bed, strong odor, non-biodegradable
 
| 210-250 C
 
| 210-250 C
 
| Functional parts, mechanical  parts, enclosures
 
| Functional parts, mechanical  parts, enclosures
 
|-
 
|-
 
| PETG  (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
 
| PETG  (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
| Easy to print, low odor, good  strength and durability, food-safe (select grades)
+
| Easy to print, low odor, good  strength and durability, food-safe (select grades), does not shrink or warp
| Can be scratched easily, can  absorb moisture
+
| Can be scratched easily, can  absorb moisture, not easy to print
| 220-235 C
+
| 210-235 C
 
| Food containers (select grades),  bottles, mechanical parts
 
| Food containers (select grades),  bottles, mechanical parts
 
|-
 
|-
| Nylon
+
| Nylon (Polyamide)
 
| Very strong and durable,  flexible, abrasion resistant, high temp resistance
 
| Very strong and durable,  flexible, abrasion resistant, high temp resistance
| Absorbs moisture (requires drying), can be  difficult to print
+
| Absorbs moisture (proper storage needed), can be  difficult to print, releases odor
 
| 220-260 C
 
| 220-260 C
 
| Functional parts, gears,  bearings, tools
 
| Functional parts, gears,  bearings, tools
Line 75: Line 75:
 
| High-performance applications,  aerospace, medical implants
 
| High-performance applications,  aerospace, medical implants
 
|-
 
|-
| Carbon  Fiber Filled
+
| Carbon  Fiber Filled PLA
 
| Increased strength and stiffness,  lightweight, improved dimensional stability
 
| Increased strength and stiffness,  lightweight, improved dimensional stability
 
| Can be abrasive (wear on  nozzles), more expensive
 
| Can be abrasive (wear on  nozzles), more expensive
|
+
| 190-230 C
 
| Structural parts, drones,  robotics
 
| Structural parts, drones,  robotics
 
|-
 
|-
| Wood  Filled
+
| Wood  Filled  
 
| Unique aesthetic, can be sanded  and stained, gives a wood-like appearance
 
| Unique aesthetic, can be sanded  and stained, gives a wood-like appearance
 
| Can be brittle, more difficult to print than  PLA, can absorb moisture
 
| Can be brittle, more difficult to print than  PLA, can absorb moisture
|
+
| 200-260 C
 
| Decorative objects, models, art  projects
 
| Decorative objects, models, art  projects
 
|-
 
|-
| Metal  filled
+
| Metal  filled (PLA or ABS)
 
| Realistic metal feel and weight, can be  post-processed (e.g., polishing)
 
| Realistic metal feel and weight, can be  post-processed (e.g., polishing)
| Can be abrasive, more difficult  to print, more expensive
+
| Can be abrasive, printing needs fine tuning, more expensive
|
+
| 195-220 C
| Decorative objects, models,  tools
+
| Decorative objects, models,  tools, jewelry
 
|}
 
|}
  

Revision as of 10:55, 11 February 2025

3D printing materials
Image credit: Maurizio Pesce

Description

Thermoplastic feedstock used by fused deposition 3D printers to create a finished product. 3D printing filaments are available in a multitude of compositions and colors. Pigments or other additives are added to the material before it is melted to create colored filament or filament with special properties, e.g. increased strength or magnetic properties.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Comparison Table

Filament Type Pros Cons Print Temperature Common Applications
PLA (Polylactic Acid) Easy to print, low temperature, good surface finish, low odor, biodegradable Brittle, low heat resistance, can warp 180-230 C Prototyping, decorative objects, toys, temporary surgical implants
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Strong, durable, high temperature resistance, good for functional parts, inexpensive Prone to warping, requires heated bed, strong odor, non-biodegradable 210-250 C Functional parts, mechanical parts, enclosures
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) Easy to print, low odor, good strength and durability, food-safe (select grades), does not shrink or warp Can be scratched easily, can absorb moisture, not easy to print 210-235 C Food containers (select grades), bottles, mechanical parts
Nylon (Polyamide) Very strong and durable, flexible, abrasion resistant, high temp resistance Absorbs moisture (proper storage needed), can be difficult to print, releases odor 220-260 C Functional parts, gears, bearings, tools
PMMA (Acrylic) Strong, durable and rigid; Transparent and impact resistant 235-250 C light diffusers
PP (Polypropylene) Flexible, good chemical resistance Difficult to print 210-230 C Flexible components
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) Flexible, elastic, impact resistant, good for flexible parts Can be difficult to print, requires specific settings 225-235 C Flexible parts, phone cases, gaskets, seals
PC (Polycarbonate) Extremely strong and durable, high temperature resistance, impact resistant Difficult to print, requires high temperature, prone to warping 270-310 C Functional parts, engineering prototypes, high-strength applications
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) UV resistant, weather resistant, strong, durable, good for outdoor use Similar to ABS in printing difficulty, can have strong odor 240-260 C Outdoor parts, automotive parts, weather-resistant applications
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) Extremely high temperature resistance, chemically resistant, very strong Very expensive, very difficult to print, requires very high temperatures High-performance applications, aerospace, medical implants
Carbon Fiber Filled PLA Increased strength and stiffness, lightweight, improved dimensional stability Can be abrasive (wear on nozzles), more expensive 190-230 C Structural parts, drones, robotics
Wood Filled Unique aesthetic, can be sanded and stained, gives a wood-like appearance Can be brittle, more difficult to print than PLA, can absorb moisture 200-260 C Decorative objects, models, art projects
Metal filled (PLA or ABS) Realistic metal feel and weight, can be post-processed (e.g., polishing) Can be abrasive, printing needs fine tuning, more expensive 195-220 C Decorative objects, models, tools, jewelry

Risks

Working Properties

Forms and Sizes

  • Common types are 1.75mm and 2.85mm

Physical and Chemical Properties

Resources and Citations

Retrieved from "https://cameo.mfa.org/index.php?title=3D_printing_filaments&oldid=100329"