3D Printing Materials - The Common and Exotic

3D Printing Materials

http://www.3dppvd.org/

3D Printing Materials

PLA • Polylactic Acid

• Extrusion Temp: 190 – 230C

• Strengths o Low Odor

o Low Warping

o Glue-able (Super Glue)

o Renewable

• Weaknesses o Less Ductile (Brittle)

o Low glass transition temp (parts easily melt/deform in heat)

PLA • Bed Adhesion

o Blue (or Green) painter’s tape (heated or cold)

o Heated glass (40-60C)

• Layer Cooling Fan(s) required

• Resistant to most solvents

• Common uses: o Food packaging, disposable tableware, heat shrink film

PLA • Printing Tips/Tricks

o Increase temp when printing at high speeds (230-240C)

o When printing small parts, print 2 at a time

o To avoid jams, keep retraction to minimum effective length

because of thermal creep

ABS • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

• Extrusion Temp: 220 – 260C

• Strengths o Impact resistant

o Easy post clean up

o Easily sanded & painted

• Weaknesses o Warps

o Smelly

ABS • Bed Adhesion

o Heated Bed is required with all methods. 80-110C

o Kapton/PET film

o ABS “Juice” – dissolved ABS in acetone

o PVA/ Elmer’s glue stick

• NO layer cooling fans

• Heated chamber if possible

ABS • Printing Tips/Tricks

o Brims/Rafts can greatly improve flatness

o Higher infill = more warping forces

o Ambient temperature can dramatically affect results (avoid cold,

drafty rooms)

• Common Uses: o Legos, 2-Liter bottle caps, automotive trim

Nylon • Many different polymers available

o Taulman 618, 645

o Nylon 6

o Nylon 6/9

• Extrusion Temp: 240-270C

• Strengths o Excellent strength with flexibility

o Excellent interlayer adhesion (250C min)

o Resistant to most solvents

o High glass transition temp – heat resistant parts

Nylon • Weaknesses

o Warp

o High extrusion temp

o Very hygroscopic – Saturated in 18-24 hours

• Bed Adhesion o Heated glass (60-70C) with PVA glue or

glue stick

o Garolite sheets – no heat

o Wood/Plywood

Nylon • Printing tips/tricks

o Dry nylon prints smoothly and has glossy finish. Wet nylon pops

and hisses, has matte finish and weaker interlayer adhesion

o Dry filament in 170F oven for 4-6 hours

o Layer adhesion directly related to layer height/width.

o Use solder knife or heated blade to “glue” parts together.

o Flame polish with propane torch to eliminate any strings and give

glossy finish

• Common Uses o Trimmer line, toothbrush bristles, guitar strings

Laywoo-d3 • PLA with actual wood fibers

• Print Temp: 180 – 230C (changes color)

• Strengths o Good smell (cookies)

o Looks like wood

o Sandable / Carvable

• Weaknesses o Softer when printed

o Super low viscosity – strings easily

Laywoo-d3 • Bed Adhesion

o Blue painter’s tape

o Heated glass (40-60C)

• Layer Cooling Fan(s) required

• Hardens over time (48-72 hours)

Laywoo-d3 • Printing Tips/Tricks

o Use lowest possible extrusion temp to prevent stringing

o Increase speed to prevent stringing/blobbing

o Allow to cool before removing from bed

Soft PLA • Polylactic Acid – but flexible!

• Print Temp: 210-235C

• Strengths o Low Warp

o Flexible

• Weaknesses o Expensive

o Not durable

BendLay • Modified ABS – clear & flexible

• Extrusion Temp: 220-250C

• Strengths o Stronger layer adhesion than ABS

o Flexible

o Optically clear, no distortion when flexed

o Lower viscosity than ABS allows for faster print speeds

BendLay • Weaknesses

o Expensive

o Only flexible when thin (single-walled or <1.00mm wall thickness)

• Bed Adhesion o Heated bed (80-100C)

o Glass with hairspray

o PVA glue

o Do Not use ABS “Juice”

BendLay • NO Layer Cooling fans

• Printing Tips/Tricks o 240C+ gives optimum layer adhesion

o Increase speeds 10-20% from ABS settings

o Single and double wall thickness with minimal infill gives best clarity

o Acetone causes filament to “crumble”. Brakleen (or other similar

automotive brake cleaner) is solvent

PETT (T-glase) • PET copolymer (polyethylene terephthalate, aka polyester)

• Extrusion Temp: 207-235C

• Strengths o Clear, “optically correct”

o Low warp

o Excellent strength

o Food-safe

• Weaknesses o Expensive

o Low glass transition temp

PETT • Weaknesses (cont.)

o Requires slower print speeds

• Bed Adhesion o Heated glass (50-60C)

o Garolite

PETT • Printing Tips/Tricks

o Larger nozzles, >.5mm, give greater layer adhesion and

better clarity

o Increase layer height and decrease print speed. Vertical

resolution is still good at .3mm+ layer heights

o Increase retraction to avoid stringing

o Flame (quickly!) polish to remove “hairs”