Filaments for 3D printing
I prepared the following post for the Fablab Documentation page.
We have quiet a good selection of filaments at the lab with diameters 1,75mm and 2,85mm. Filaments with 1,75mm diameter are suitable for the Prusa i3 MK3S, Creality Ender 3 and SainSmart Infi-20 machines at the lab. 2,85mm filaments are suitable for the Ultimaker 2+ machine.
You can use the below tables to choose appropriate materials for your projects. Most of the filaments are available at the lab. Please note that PLA is an elemantary filament that is suitable for prototyping and more environmentally friendly than other options. Therefore it is the most common used filament at the lab.
| POLYMERS | FEATURES | PROS | CONS |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Plant-based, biologically degradable | ✔ Low price ✔ Easy to print, suitable for beginners ✔ Good detail and low warping ✔ Suitable for large models |
✖ Brittle and inflexible ✖ Low UV and temperature resistance ✖ Difficult post-processing |
| PETG | Commonly used technical material, food-safe (with special coating) | ✔ Easy to print ✔ Good layer adhesion ✔ Tough and durable ✔ Low warping ✔ High temperature-resistance ✔ Water and humidity resistant |
✖ Possibility of stringing ✖ Poor bridging and overhangs ✖ Not great for printing detailed parts ✖ Bonds strongly to the print surface ✖ Soluble in dangerous chemicals ✖ Supports are hard to remove |
| ABS | Used for making inexpensive, sturdy mechanical parts | ✔ High tenacity & mechanical resistance ✔ High temperature-resistance ✔ Easy postprocessing ✔ Possibility of acetone smoothing and gluing |
✖ Significant warping ✖ Requires printer enclosure ✖ Potentially dangerous fumes (styrene) |
| ASA | Suitable for outdoor use and for making technical parts, soluble in acetone | ✔ High UV and temperature resistance ✔ Detailed prints with no stringing ✔ Possibility of acetone smoothing and gluing ✔ Easy postprocessing (e.g. sanding, cutting, etc.) ✔ High impact and wear resistance |
✖ Significant warping ✖ An enclosure is necessary for printing large parts ✖ Potentially dangerous fumes (styrene) ✖ Prints at high temperatures ✖ Partially hygroscopic (absorbs moisture) |
| PC | Technical material with great tenacity, tensile strength, and heat resistance | ✔ High-temperature resistance ✔ High impact tenacity and tensile strength ✔ Pure polycarbonate is transparent ✔ Good electric insulation properties |
✖ Pure polycarbonate is highly hygroscopic ✖ High nozzle and bed temperature ✖ High warping, especially with large models ✖ Moderate odor during printing ✖ Application of a separation layer is recommended ✖ High price |
| PHA | 100% biological material, breaks down completely | ✔ Feels sturdy ✔ High temperature resistance ✔ 100% biodegradable in any biotope |
✖ Expensive ✖ Tends to be sensitive to warping of bottom layer ✖ Bottom layer can adhere very strong to some substrate materials |
| PVA | Water-soluble plastic that is very suitable as a supporting material | ✔ Very suitable as support material ✔ Adheres well to PLA and ABS ✔ Enables complex 3D printing |
✖ Should be stored airtight ✖ Reacts very quickly to water |
| TPE/TPU | Flexible parts which can stretch and bend | ✔ Flexible and soft ✔ Excellent vibration dampening ✔ Long shelf life ✔ Good impact resistance |
✖ Difficult to print ✖ Poor bridging characteristics ✖ Possibility of blobs and stringing ✖ May not work well on Bowden extruders |
| FILLERS | FEATURES | PROS | CONS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Cork Hemp |
Usually combined with PLA base Used for their final look, feel and smell |
✔ Does not need any expensive wear resistant nozzles | ✖ Prone to stringing ✖ Require a larger size nozzle |
| Metal | Usually combined with PLA base Used for their final look, feel and smell |
✔ Does not need high-temperature extruder ✔ Heavier than standard filaments |
✖ Requires a wear-resistant nozzle ✖ Printed parts are very brittle ✖ Very poor bridging and overhangs ✖ Require a hardened nozzle, like brass ✖ Expensive |
References used in the creation of the tables are: