In recent years, with the rapid development of the 3D printer industry, China 3D printing technology, especially consumer-grade 3D printing technology, has been in a leading position in the world. From the perspective of the products of the entire industry, the quality of the products is very reliable. Yes, and the guarantee of product quality is mainly achieved by powerful filament. Next, Wonder will share with you some commonly used consumables for desktop 3D printers in detail. I hope you can understand this.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is the same plastic used in Legos. It’s tough, non-toxic and retains its color well. It’s also easy to shape, but hard to break because it melts and becomes pliable at about 220 degrees Celsius (about 430 degrees Fahrenheit).
These properties make ABS ideal for custom 3D printing. You do need a big heater to reach the 220C melting point, but ABS becomes soft and pliable when heated, then solidifies quickly. A printer with a heated print bed is also usually required, as ABS will stick to a thermal print bed.
It is also waterproof and chemical resistant. ABS does give off an unpleasant smell when heated, and the steam can contain some nasty chemicals, so you’ll need good ventilation. Since ABS is decomposed by UV radiation, it is not suitable for long-term outdoor use, as it will lose its color and become brittle.
- Pros: Tough, impact-resistant material; non-toxic and waterproof
- Disadvantages: high melting point. Unpleasant fumes; not suitable for outdoor use
3D printing common consumables PLA
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a polymeric plastic made from biological materials such as corn starch or sugar cane. It is similar to the material used in biodegradable plastic packaging and melts between 180 and 200 degrees Celsius, depending on other materials added for color and texture. PLA is a tough, resilient material with a matte, opaque quality, but it’s not as heat-resistant as ABS. PLA begins to deform at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius and is not resistant to water or chemicals. Has a slight smell when heated, like microwave popcorn, but has no toxic smell or vapors.
PLA is usually the preferred option for low-cost 3D printers because it is easier to print than ABS due to its stickiness. It adheres well to print bases covered with white glue or blue paint tape, meaning no heated print bed is required. The material is also biodegradable. Like other corn or sugar based materials, it is slowly consumed by many common bacteria. Under normal circumstances, it will last for a long time. It only breaks down when buried. That said, PLA is not food safe and is somewhat brittle, making prints prone to shattering under pressure. However, chemicals can be added to make it brittle and less heat resistant, creating what some manufacturers call PLA tough.
- Pros: Easier to print than ABS; biodegradable
- Cons: Print quality degrades over time; rougher texture than ABS
3D printing common consumables PVA
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a new class of 3D printing material used to make supports that hold 3D prints in place. PVA is a synthetic polymer that is soluble in water. It melts at about 200 degrees Celsius, and if heated to higher temperatures, it releases some nasty chemicals.
This is why PVA is used in 3D printing. It can be used in a standard 3D printer extruder to form parts that support other objects, and it adheres well to a heated glass print bed. Once the print is complete, submerge it in water and the PVA part will dissolve leaving the insoluble print left behind. This makes it easier to print complex models that require supports or even models that contain moving parts. If you do dissolve the PVA with water, you need to dispose of it properly, as the sticky residue can clog the drain. Contact your local water utility for suggested disposal methods.
- Pros: Water soluble; great support; fairly easy to print
- Cons: Releases toxic vapors if overheated; expensive; requires proper disposal
Common Consumable Nylon for 3D Printing
The term nylon can be applied to any of a number of synthetic polymers that were originally used as silk substitutes. Nylon is a tough material with a high tensile strength, which means it can hold a lot of weight without breaking. It melts at about 250 degrees Celsius and is non-toxic.
The use of nylon as a 3D printing material is relatively new, but the material is starting to gain popularity due to the fact that it produces prints that are very stiff and less prone to damage. It’s cheap because nylon is widely used in other industries and isn’t damaged by most common chemicals. However, nylon does require high temperatures to print: 250 degrees Celsius is hotter than many extruders can handle. It is difficult to get it to adhere more strongly to the print bed than ABS or PLA. Typically, nylon requires a heated print bed and white glue to adhere when printing.
- Pros: Tough; cheap printing material
- Cons: Requires high temperatures to print
Common Consumable PC Materials for 3D Printing
PC (polycarbonate) material can be regarded as a real thermoplastic material, which has the characteristics of high strength, high temperature resistance, impact resistance, bending resistance, etc., and its strength is 60% higher than that of ABS material. Application of strong engineering products. The three major application fields of PC engineering plastics are glass assembly industry, automobile industry and electronics and electrical industry, followed by industrial machinery parts, CDs, packaging, computers and other office equipment, medical and health care, films, leisure and protective equipment, etc. PC can be used as door and window glass, and PC laminates are widely used in banks, embassies, detention centers and protective windows in public places, for aircraft canopies, lighting equipment, industrial safety baffles and bulletproof glass.
- Advantages: high strength, high temperature resistance, impact resistance and bending resistance.
- Disadvantages: Not acid-resistant, not alkali-resistant, low-quality PC boards have a high yellowing rate, and compared with some other materials, PC boards do not have a long life.
The above is the introduction of common 3d printing filament for desktop 3D printers. I hope it can help you. At the same time, if you want to know more about 3D printers, you can pay attention to Wonder 3D printing.