What materials can be used in 3D printing?
3D printing, or 3D printing, is becoming more and more popular. Not so long ago it was used primarily in industry. Today, 3D printers are available for home and office use. Due to the fact that 3D printing offers enormous opportunities, it is not surprising that more and more people and companies are using this technology. Importantly, 3D printing uses various types of 3D printing materials. It is worth knowing them, because each of them has different properties.
3D printer cartridge – which one to choose?
The first 3D printers processed filament made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The material is stable, but not easy to print: without a heated print bed and a closed installation space, processing is virtually impossible. This increases printer costs and raises the barrier to entry. Later, the easier-to-print polylactide (PLA) made triumphant progress, but it is much more brittle. The market currently offers many different materials with different advantages and disadvantages.
But that's not all: even 3D printer filaments from different manufacturers are completely different - despite having the same name. Even a 3D printer cartridge from one manufacturer sometimes has slightly different properties depending on the color. To obtain a perfect print, an optimal approach in terms of settings is always necessary.
If you store different 3D printer cartridges, store them in a cool, dark and, above all, dry place. In practice, storing in airtight zipper bags and using dry granules have proven reliable, as some plastics absorb water over time and are no longer easy to process.
Since the introduction of 3D printing technology in the early 1980s, the number of 3D printing materials has continued to grow. Currently, there is no end in sight to this trend. That's why it's even more urgent for us to provide an overview of the most important materials for 3D printing.
Materials for 3D printer – ABS material
One of the most popular materials used in 3D printing is ABS. The popularity of this material is primarily due to the fact that it is a universal material. That's why it is used in many industries. Suffice it to mention that ABS material is used to print car parts, components for electrical devices and children's toys. It is a very durable material. It is also resistant to weather conditions, including sunlight.
3D printing PLA material
Another popular material used in 3D printing is PLA. Its greatest advantage is the fact that it is the easiest material to print. However, what characterizes PLA material the most is that it is fully biodegradable. Therefore, it is a fully ecological material and this also influences its popularity. PLA is made of natural raw materials. An example would be sugar cane or cornmeal. PLA material has a very wide range of applications. It is used in construction, agriculture and medicine. PLA is also very often used to print dishes or various types of packaging.
Specialized 3D printing materials
ABS and PLA materials are the basic and most frequently used materials. However, 3D printing also uses specialized materials. An example of such a material is PET. It is a plastic material that is most often used to produce plastic bottles. Another specialized material is PC material. It is polycarbonate, which is characterized by very high mechanical resistance. When mentioning specialized materials, it is also worth mentioning the TPE/TPU material. It is polypropylene, whose properties resemble rubber. It is characterized by high resistance to chemicals.
3D printer decorative materials
Interestingly, 3D printing materials also include decorative materials. These are used primarily for printing various types of finishing elements. These are 3D printing materials imitating wood or glass. Another interesting fact is that ceramics, wax and even chocolate can also be used for 3D printing. 3D printing therefore offers enormous possibilities.
As you can see, 3D printing uses many types of materials. This makes it possible to print almost anything. And the effect of such printing will be perfect. Of course, the selection of a specific material for printing always depends on what you want to print and what final effect you want to achieve.
