3D printer filament part:1

3D printer filament types and their features

Polylactic Acid(PLA)

Polylactic Acid(PLA)

Polylactic acid (PLA) has overtaken ABS to become the favorite 3D printer filament among 3D printing enthusiasts. This is a biodegradable thermoplastic. It is derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane. As a result, PLA based 3D printer filaments are much more environmentally friendly than other plastic materials. It is even called “the green plastic”.The other great feature of PLA filament is that it doesn’t give off an evil smell when printing with it. So it’s comparatively safer regarding emissions in the home and classroom. And the plastic doesn’t contract so dramatically when cooling down, so you don’t necessarily need a heated bed on your 3D printer (though it helps).The structure of PLA is more rigid than ABS, which means printed objects are slightly brittle. The material melts in the range of 180°C – 230°C.If you are looking for something a little bit stronger than plain PLA but still 100% biodegradable at the same time, look into the bioFila line of 3D printer filaments.

PLA 3D Printer Filament Properties:

• Primary benefits are good strength, user-friendly, durability, and some impact resistance 
• Ideal for consumer products, small toys, higher print speeds, smoother layers 
• Fair to good durability, but it can deform when getting too hot. 
• Very limited flexibility, slightly brittle 
• Not soluble 
• Less sturdy than ABS 
• Refer to manufacturer guidelines for food safety 
• General print temperature range is 180°C – 230°C 
• Minor shrinkage during cooling, less sensitive compared to ABS 
• No Heated bed required 
• Printing difficulty is easy, once temperature, bed height and speed are set.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is the second most popular 3D printer filament. This thermoplastic is cheap, durable, slightly flexible, lightweight, and it can be easily extruded — which makes it perfect for 3D printing.It’s also the same plastic used in LEGO bricks and bicycle helmets.But there are several disadvantages to using ABS filament, which is why it has fallen a bit from favor in 3D printing. Firstly, it requires a higher temperature to reach melting point, usually in the range of 210°C – 250°C.Moreover, a heated build platform is required. This prevents the first layers of the print from cooling too quickly, so the plastic doesn’t warp and contract before the fabrication of the object has completed.Another drawback of this 3D printer filament is the intense fumes that arise during printing. They can be dangerous for people (or pets) with breathing difficulties. The 3D printer needs to be placed in a well-ventilated area. It’s critical that you avoid breathing in the fumes when in use.

ABS 3D Printer Filament Properties

• Primary benefits are high durability, good strength and impact resistance 
• Ideal for moving parts, automotive parts, electronic housing and toys 
• High durability  More flexible the PLA, with minor bending before snapping 
• Soluble in Acetone  Not considered food safe 
• Curling and warping are typical issues when printing with ABS. 
• Easy to process after printing 
• General print temperature range is 210°C – 250°C 
• Shrinkage during cooling, enclosed chamber recommended to control cooling speed 
• Heated bed at 50°C – 100°C highly recommended 
• Printing difficulty is moderate, requires fine-tuning of bed and nozzle temperature

Nylon

Nylon

Polyamide, also known as Nylon, is a popular synthetic polymer used in many industrial applications. With nylon 3D printer filament, you have a cost-effective plastic that’s strong, light, flexible, and wear resistant. It’s also less brittle than PLA or ABS. Also, it’s stronger and more durable than the two.Nylon 3D printer filament can be used in a variety of applications. They include machine parts, containers, tools, consumer products, and toys. Oh, and another thing: you can use fabric dye to color it. 3D printing nylon is relatively easy if you keep your spools dry. Otherwise you can run into problems. Since Nylon filament quickly absorbs humidity from its environment (in less than one day), it should be protected from humidity while in storage.But it doesn’t stop at that. 3D printer filament manufacturer Taulman has developed different types of nylon filament. Depending on the intended application of the 3D printed object, it is up to the user to decide which variation is most suited.

• Taulman nylon 618 is an industrial grade material. It is great for prototyping but also for end products. Basically, what sets nylon 618 apart, is it’s excellent layer bonding if printed at 245°C and all the other settings are set appropriately. Also, nylon 618 does not emit any fumes. What might look like fumes, is water evaporating during printing. This type of nylon can be machined after printing and can also be used as the material for casting molds since it is possible to 3D print a very high quality, chemical resistant, and airtight object. Note: Glass and aluminum surfaces are not suited as print beds for nylon 618. Instead, a rougher or fibrous material like unfinished wood or Garolite should be used. Here is a list of detailed usage guidelines and material specifications. 
• Taulman nylon 645 is an improved version of nylon 618. Although mostly identical, nylon 645 has even more tensile strength and even better layer bonding. It is a translucent material unlike nylon 618, which is opaque. Here is a list of detailed usage guidelines and material specifications. 
• Taulman Bridge nylon is a less costly version of nylon 645 spec nylon. Developed following the requests of a wide range of customers, Bridge nylon still meets certain desired characteristics such as excellent tensile strength, better first layer adhesion, affordability, reduced water absorption, opacity and reduced shrinkage.

General nylon 3D Printer Filament Properties:

• Primary benefits are high strength, durability, and flexibility
• Ideal for mechanical components, structural parts, gears and bearings, and dynamic loads 
• Tends to have a glossy finish 
• High durability 
• High flexibility 
• Not soluble 
• Can by recycled 
• For food safety, refer to manufacturer guidelines 
• General print temperature range is 220°C – 260°C 
• Must be dried before 3D printing 
• Some shrinkage during cooling 
• Heated bed at 50°C – 100°C recommended 
• Printing difficulty is moderate, requires fine-tuning of bed and nozzle temperature

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)

TPE is commonly used in the production of automotive parts, household appliances, medical supplies, weather sealing for windows and doors, shoe soles, electrical insulation, smartphone covers, and wristbands.With thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), especially Polyurethane (TPU), these flexible 3D printer filaments can fabricate objects that are super stretchable. They survive punishment no ABS or PLA could tolerate. It can be difficult to work with, however – the material has a frustrating tendency to squeeze out of your extruder in all directions except the nozzle.There is another flexible 3D printer filament called TPC, which is — unlike TPE/TPU — suitable for outdoor use.

Flexible TPE/TPU 3D Printer Filament Properties:

• Primary benefits are extreme flexibility 
• Ideal for toys, novelty items, wearables, phone cases, and visual products  High durability
• High flexibility 
• Not soluble 
• Not considered food safe 
• General print temperature is 225°C – 235°C 
• Low shrinkage during cooling 
• Heated bed not required 
• Printing difficulty is high, requires fine-tuning of nozzle temperature and flow rate.

Wood

Wood

The appeal of wood 3D printer filaments is their ability to create objects with the tactile feel of wood. There are many wood PLA blends on the market: Bamboo, Birch, Cedar, Cherry, Coconut, Cork, Ebony, Olive, Pine, Willow. Each of these 3D printer filaments is a specific mixture of PLA with wood fibers. But be warned, there’s a sacrifice in terms of reduced flexibility and tensile strength. But it just looks great, especially if you process it after printing.

Wood 3D Printer Filament Properties:

• Primary benefits are the unique wood-like finish 
• Ideal for home decor, visual appearance of wood with performance of PLA 
• Varying durability, based on print geometry 
• Good flexibility 
• Not soluble 
• Not considered food safe 
• General print temperature range is 195°C – 220°C 
• Some shrinkage during cooling 
• Heated bed not required 
• Printing difficulty is moderate, requires fine-tuning of bed and nozzle temperature.