Omar Khalid
There are many different types of plastic filament used in 3D printing. The most common types are acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA). Other types include Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Nylon. The type of filament used depends on the specific application and requirements, such as durability, flexibility, temperature resistance, and environmental impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Process | Heating, extruding, and cooling |
| Types | PLA, ABS, PETG, TPE, PVA, PCTPE, Polypropylene, Nylon, and more |
| Properties | Biodegradable, recyclable, durable, flexible, impact-resistant, food-safe, etc. |
| Uses | 3D printing, packaging, food containers, medical implants, car bodies, etc. |
| Diameter | 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm, 3 mm |
| Weight | 0.5 kg to 2 kg |
| Printing Temperature | 75°C to 265°C |
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What You'll Learn
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
PLA is made from organic materials, typically from fermented plant starch like corn, cassava, sugarcane, or sugar beet pulp. Unlike most other filaments that contain petroleum, PLA is made from renewable, plant-based materials. It is a thermoplastic monomer that is user- and environmentally friendly, doesn't easily warp during printing, and is food-safe. It is not water-soluble but can be dissolved with acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, or caustic soda.
PLA is used in 3D printing. It is the most widely used plastic filament material in FDM 3D printing due to its low melting point, high strength, low thermal expansion, and good layer adhesion. However, it possesses poor heat resistance unless annealed.
PLA is also recyclable. It can be chemically recycled to monomer by thermal depolymerization or hydrolysis. When purified, the monomer can be used for the manufacturing of virgin PLA with no loss of original properties. End-of-life PLA can also be chemically recycled to methyl lactate by transesterification. PLA is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, starting with a chemical hydrolysis process followed by microbial digestion. Under these conditions, PLA can partially decompose into water and carbon dioxide in 60 days, after which the remainder decomposes much more slowly.
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Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS has a low melting point, making it suitable for injection moulding and 3D printing. It is highly durable, impact-resistant, and rigid. The impact resistance of ABS can be improved by increasing the proportion of polybutadiene in relation to styrene and acrylonitrile. However, this alteration affects other properties of the material. ABS generally performs well within a temperature range of -20 to 80 degrees Celsius.
ABS is lightweight, recyclable, and can be easily moulded, sanded, and shaped. It is available in various colours and finishes, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. ABS can be manufactured to a high-quality finish and is aesthetically pleasing. Its ability to take colour easily allows for precise dyeing to meet specific project requirements.
ABS has excellent stability under normal use and polymer processing conditions. However, at temperatures reaching 400 degrees Celsius, ABS decomposes into its constituents: butadiene, acrylonitrile, and styrene, which are harmful to humans. Ultrafine particles (UFPs) produced during 3D printing with ABS have been linked to adverse health effects. Therefore, caution must be exercised when using ABS in certain conditions to ensure safety.
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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET, is a type of clear, durable, and versatile plastic. It is the most common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family. PET is produced from the polycondensation of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. It is also derived from dimethyl terephthalate. It is the most widely recycled plastic in the United States, commonly used by beverage companies to make 100% recyclable bottles. Recycled PET (rPET) is a highly sought-after material as it reduces total energy consumption and limits greenhouse gas emissions when used to make new bottles.
PET is very compact and can be semi-rigid or rigid. It is a strong gas and moisture blocker and is also a great deterrent to liquor and solvents. It has excellent durability, mechanical strength, and transparency. It is used in a variety of applications, including packaging, textile production, and carbonated beverage bottles. In the context of textiles, PET is referred to as polyester. PET is also used in combination with glass fibre for engineering resins.
PET can be processed using common moulding methods such as injection moulding, blown moulding, and extrusion. It is suitable for fabricating thin-layer products like stretched film and thermoforming. PET is widely used in carbonated beverage bottles due to its high strength, toughness, good abrasion and heat resistance, low creep at elevated temperatures, good chemical resistance, and excellent dimensional stability. PET is also used to make artificial fibres for textiles, providing outstanding wear resistance, low moisture absorption, and durability.
A modified variant of PET is PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), which uses glycol to lower the melting temperature, making it more user-friendly. PETG is highly durable, does not warp, and is food-safe. It is used in various industrial applications, including automotive and aeronautical sectors. The surface properties of PETG can be modified to make it self-cleaning, such as in the fabrication of traffic signs or LED spotlights.
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Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
PVA is highly hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture easily. This property can cause storage difficulties, but it is also what allows printer filaments to dissolve in water. To prevent moisture absorption, PVA filament should be stored in a sealed container with a desiccant. The optimum storage temperature is 15-25°C, away from sunlight. If the material has already absorbed moisture, it must be dried for about 8-12 hours at 50-80°C before use.
PVA is commonly used in conjunction with other materials such as PLA (polylactic acid), ABS, and PETG. It enhances print quality and stability and is ideal for printing complex geometries and intricate designs that require support structures. PVA is also useful for creating mechanical parts with internal cavities or overhangs that need support during printing.
The typical PVA 3D printing filament is either pure PVA from a single source or a blend of several PVA materials. These blends aim to achieve the right balance of adhesion, strength, water solubility, and melt-flow characteristics. The variation in molecular weight between manufacturers affects the melt temperature and density of the filament. PVA filament is available in standard thicknesses of 1.75 and 2.85 mm.
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Nylon
One of the key advantages of nylon filament is its impact strength and flexibility. This makes it ideal for creating parts that require a low friction coefficient with minimal lubrication. Nylon is also a tough and durable material, capable of tolerating shocks and cyclic loadings, making it suitable for applications such as gears and snap-fit connectors.
However, nylon filament has a tendency to absorb moisture, which can impact the printing process. It is recommended to dry the filament before printing, either in an oven or a dehydrator, to ensure optimal results. Additionally, nylon requires high print temperatures, typically ranging from 240°C to 265°C, which can also contribute to warping during printing.
To mitigate warping issues, it is important to control the temperature of the printer's heated bed, as nylon tends to cool down quickly. Enclosures are also recommended for certain printer models to prevent warping. With the right printer settings and nylon type, such as carbon or glass-filled nylon, excellent printing results can be achieved.
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Frequently asked questions
Some commonly used plastic filaments include polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and nylon.
PLA is made from organic materials, is environmentally friendly, odourless, and has a low warp tendency. On the other hand, ABS is made from petroleum, is inexpensive, durable, and has a higher melting point. ABS emits an unpleasant odour during printing and requires a heated printing surface to prevent warping.
Nylon is a versatile plastic with excellent durability, wear resistance, and impact resistance. It is available in food-safe grades and is one of the lowest-priced filaments.
TPE filament is an extremely flexible material used for creating rubbery and elastic parts like stoppers, belts, and phone cases. PETG filament is a durable, UV-resistant, and food-safe variant of PET that is widely used for general-purpose 3D printing due to its affordability and ease of printing.
