Understanding Different Types of Filament
There are TONS of different materials you can 3d print with and they can come in spools or pellets. Choosing the right material can make or break your project.
PLA
PLA stands for polylactic acid which is a biodegradable plastic made from corn starch (it is made from different biodegradable materials outside of the United States).
As a biodegradable material, PLA is eco-friendly, but does not produce weather-withstanding prints. PLA is known to absorb water when left in humidity.
PLA is a thermoplastic, which means it becomes more malleable when heated, so you can shape it and then it will hold the shape when cooled.
Outside of 3d printing, PLA is often used for manufacturing packaging material, plastic wrap, cups and, water bottles.
ABS
ABS stands for Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which is another thermoplastic polymer. While ABS is not biodegradable, it is known for its hardness, gloss, toughness, and electrical insulation properties.
ABS’s strength makes it ideal for prints needing to withstand pressure and weathering.
One of our favorite things about ABS is it can be dissolved by acetone. Since acetone breaks down ABS, you can fume prints with it and create a better finish.
Outside of 3d printing, ABS has many everyday applications, injection molding for pipes, musical instruments, automotive uses and even LEGO.
Because of its composition, concerns have been raised based on airborne ultrafine particles (UFP) generated during printing, as UFPs have been linked to adverse health effects.
PET
PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, the most common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family.
PET is a colorless material that is hard and shockproof, ideal for lightweight items.
Outside of printing, PET is often used in making plastic water bottles.
TPE
TPE means thermoplastic elastomer. This filament is flexible and has a rubbery texture that allows it to bounce back and forth into shape.
TPE sticks very well to the build surface and all layers bond which makes it perfect for printing high quality prints. The material contains no toxins, but is not food-grade.
TPU
TPU is also known as ThermoPlastic Polyurethane. TPU isn’t new, but it is just starting to hit the 3d printing scene.
TPU is similar to TPE, but there are some key differences. TPU is more rigid, which makes it easier to print on machines that don’t normally handle flexible filament. TPU also has a higher abrasion resistance which allows it to last longer in working parts.
PVA
PVA stands for polyvinyl alcohol and is used for supports in prints.
PVA is easy to print, nontoxic, and biodegradable in water. These qualities make it perfect for use as supports for machines with dual extrusion. Supports can be printed with PVA while the normal structure is printed in another filament. The print can then be placed in water and the supports will dissolve without the need for tools to remove them and potentially ruin a print.
Wrap Up
Choose your filament based on your print and its intended use to get the best result. Use the cheat sheet below for recommended print and bed temperatures for each of the six filaments we’ve discussed!
Further Reading:
