Difference between revisions of "3D printing filaments"

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[[File:3D Printing Materials resized.jpg|thumb|3D printing materials<br>Image credit: Maurizio Pesce ]]
 
==Description==   
 
==Description==   
−
- Record in progress--
+
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 ==
+
 
 +
The process of transforming 3D printing filament into a 3D model
 +
* The filament is fed into the FDM 3D printer.
 +
* The thermoplastic is heated past its glass transition temperature inside the hotend.
 +
* The filament is extruded and deposited by an extrusion head onto a build platform where it cools.
 +
* The process is continuous, building up layers to create the model.
 +
 
 
==Comparison Table==
 
==Comparison Table==
  
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! Filament  Type
 
! Filament  Type
 
! Pros
 
! Pros
−
! Cons
+
! Cons  
 +
! Print Temperature
 
! Common Applications
 
! Common Applications
 +
! Recorded tests<br>Brand name: number (dates)<br>See note below.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| PLA  (Polylactic Acid)
+
! PLA  (Polylactic Acid)
 
| Easy to print, low temperature, good surface  finish, low odor, biodegradable
 
| Easy to print, low temperature, good surface  finish, low odor, biodegradable
 
| Brittle, low heat resistance,  can warp
 
| Brittle, low heat resistance,  can warp
−
| Prototyping, decorative objects,  toys
+
| 180-230 C
 +
| Prototyping, decorative objects,  toys, temporary surgical implants
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ABS  (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
+
! ABS  ([[Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene|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
 
| Functional parts, mechanical  parts, enclosures
 
| Functional parts, mechanical  parts, enclosures
 +
| * Imaterialise: 1(2019)
 
|-
 
|-
−
| PETG   (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
+
! PET or PETG ([[Polyester]], Polyester terephthalate glycol)
−
| Easy to print, low odor, good  strength and durability, food-safe (select grades)
+
| High strength and durability, flexible, recyclable, most commonly used, low odor, does not shrink or warp
−
| Can be scratched easily, can  absorb moisture
+
| Can be scratched easily, can  absorb moisture, not easy to print
−
| Food containers (select grades),   bottles, mechanical parts
+
| 210-235 C
 +
| Almost anything, Food containers (select grades are food safe), bottles, mechanical parts
 +
| * Verbatim: 1(2018)<br>* Keene Village Plastics: 1(2020)
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 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
 
| Functional parts, gears,  bearings, tools
 
| Functional parts, gears,  bearings, tools
 +
| * Taulman Bridge: 1(2018)<br>* Ultimaker: 4(2017-2018)<br>* Imaterialise: 2(2019)<br>* Shapeways 2(2019-2020)
 +
|-
 +
! PMMA ([[Acrylic resin|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
 +
| * Verbatim: 2(2018)<br>* Tuscan Industries: 1(1997)
 +
|-
 
|-
 
|-
−
| TPU  (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
+
! TPU  (Thermoplastic [[Polyurethane]])
 
| Flexible, elastic, impact  resistant, good for flexible parts
 
| Flexible, elastic, impact  resistant, good for flexible parts
 
| Can be difficult to print,  requires specific settings
 
| Can be difficult to print,  requires specific settings
 +
| 225-235 C
 
| Flexible parts, phone cases,  gaskets, seals
 
| Flexible parts, phone cases,  gaskets, seals
 +
| * Carbon3d: 1(2018)<br>* Keene Village Plastics: 1(2020)
 
|-
 
|-
−
| PC  (Polycarbonate)
+
! PC  ([[Polycarbonate]])
 
| Extremely strong and durable,  high temperature resistance, impact resistant
 
| Extremely strong and durable,  high temperature resistance, impact resistant
 
| Difficult to print, requires  high temperature, prone to warping
 
| Difficult to print, requires  high temperature, prone to warping
 +
| 270-310 C
 
| Functional parts, engineering  prototypes, high-strength applications
 
| Functional parts, engineering  prototypes, high-strength applications
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)
+
! ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)
 
| UV resistant, weather resistant,  strong, durable, good for outdoor use
 
| UV resistant, weather resistant,  strong, durable, good for outdoor use
 
| Similar to ABS in printing  difficulty, can have strong odor
 
| Similar to ABS in printing  difficulty, can have strong odor
 +
| 240-260 C
 
| Outdoor parts, automotive parts,  weather-resistant applications
 
| Outdoor parts, automotive parts,  weather-resistant applications
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
| PEEK  (Polyetheretherketone)
+
! PEEK  ([[Polyetheretherketone]])
 
| Extremely high temperature  resistance, chemically resistant, very strong
 
| Extremely high temperature  resistance, chemically resistant, very strong
 
| Very expensive, very difficult  to print, requires very high temperatures
 
| Very expensive, very difficult  to print, requires very high temperatures
 +
|
 
| 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
−
| Decorative objects, models,  tools
+
| 195-220 C
 +
| Decorative objects, models,  tools, jewelry
 +
| * Shapeways: Aluminum (2017)<br>* Shapeways: Stainless steel (2017)<br>* Imaterialise: Alumide (2019)
 
|}
 
|}
 +
* Note: The [https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Project:Combined_Materials_Testing_Results_(Search_Builder) AIC Materials Testing Results page] provides information on Oddy tests that were completed on these materials.  Access their database, then use the search box to locate materials of interest.
 +
 
==Risks==
 
==Risks==
 
==Working Properties==
 
==Working Properties==
 
==Forms and Sizes==
 
==Forms and Sizes==
−
==Physical and Chemical Properties==
+
* Common types are 1.75mm and 2.85mm
 +
 
 
==Resources and Citations==
 
==Resources and Citations==
 +
* 3D Insider: [https://3dinsider.com/3d-printing-materials/ 16 Types of 3D Printing Materials] accessed Feb 2025
 +
* Wikipedia: [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing_filament 3d Printing Filament] accessed Feb 2025
  
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[[Category:Materials database]][[Category:MWG]][[Category: 3D Printing/Casting]][[Category:Comparisons]]
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[[Category:Materials database]][[Category:MWG]][[Category:Cushioning]][[Category:Comparisons]]
 

Latest revision as of 15:39, 17 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.

The process of transforming 3D printing filament into a 3D model

  • The filament is fed into the FDM 3D printer.
  • The thermoplastic is heated past its glass transition temperature inside the hotend.
  • The filament is extruded and deposited by an extrusion head onto a build platform where it cools.
  • The process is continuous, building up layers to create the model.

Comparison Table

Filament Type Pros Cons Print Temperature Common Applications Recorded tests
Brand name: number (dates)
See note below.
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 * Imaterialise: 1(2019)
PET or PETG (Polyester, Polyester terephthalate glycol) High strength and durability, flexible, recyclable, most commonly used, low odor, does not shrink or warp Can be scratched easily, can absorb moisture, not easy to print 210-235 C Almost anything, Food containers (select grades are food safe), bottles, mechanical parts * Verbatim: 1(2018)
* Keene Village Plastics: 1(2020)
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 * Taulman Bridge: 1(2018)
* Ultimaker: 4(2017-2018)
* Imaterialise: 2(2019)
* Shapeways 2(2019-2020)
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 * Verbatim: 2(2018)
* Tuscan Industries: 1(1997)
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 * Carbon3d: 1(2018)
* Keene Village Plastics: 1(2020)
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 * Shapeways: Aluminum (2017)
* Shapeways: Stainless steel (2017)
* Imaterialise: Alumide (2019)
  • Note: The AIC Materials Testing Results page provides information on Oddy tests that were completed on these materials. Access their database, then use the search box to locate materials of interest.

Risks

Working Properties

Forms and Sizes

  • Common types are 1.75mm and 2.85mm

Resources and Citations

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