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Lightest 3d printer filament
The densities of all 3D printing materials
Today at Bitfab we’re going to talk about a subject that every good maker ends up wondering about: what is the density of a filament, how much is the weight of each meter, and how many meters of it are in a one kilo coil.
At first glance, it might seem silly to you; how many objects in our daily life do we need to know this data from? Practically none, but in this point it is essential, because with this data we can know exactly the amount of spent filament or if really 1kg of a material from one coil compensates us more than another.
How? We’ll tell you, so keep reading this because you’ re going to like it 🙂
📖 What do you want to read?
The density chart of all 3D materials
Here’s a list of different materials taken from this article on 3D printer filaments to give you an idea of what’s on the market.
In grams per cubic centimeter so you can see for yourself!
| Material | Density [g/cm3] |
| PLA | 1. |
| ABS | 1.04 |
| PETG | 1.27 |
| NYLON | 1.52 |
| Flexible (TPU) | 1.21 |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 1.3 |
| Wood | 1.28 |
| Carbon FIber | 1.3 |
| PC/ABS | 1.19 |
| HIPS | 1.03 |
| PVA | 1.23 |
| ASA | 1.05 |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 0.9 |
| Acetal (POM) | 1.4 |
| PMMA | 1.18 |
| Semi flexible (FPE) | 2.16 |
🥁🥁🥁 Here’s also… a graphic, so you can compare!
Here there are plenty of materials such as PLA, ABS, Polypropylene (PP), PETG, flexible filaments (TPU) or filaments with carbon fibre.
The lightest material for printing
Do you want to print the lightest pieces? A drone, a part for a radio-controlled plane… The lightest material used in 3D printing is Polypropylene, with only 0.
9 grams per cubic centimeter. Although we warn you: PP warping makes it quite difficult to print for large parts!
The heaviest 3D printing material
The heaviest materials on our chart are semi-flexible FPE and nylon (Polyamide), so they can affect you in applications where you are looking for lightness.
Apart from these, there are other heavier materials that we have not yet considered: metal-filled materials. There are materials filled with bronze, brass, copper, iron… which considerably increase the density of the material. These filaments usually have an aesthetic purpose and that is why we have left them out of our list of materials.
How many meters of material are there in a kilo of filament? (with chart)
The chart you were looking for to go from kilos to meters of material, to know how many meters there are in a coil, both for 1.75mm and 3mm filament.
| Material | How many meters in 1kg of material (3mm)? | How many meters in 1kg of material (1. 75mm)? |
| PLA | 114 | 335 |
| ABS | 136 | 400 |
| PETG | 111 | 328 |
| Nylon | 93 | 274 |
| Flexible (TPU) | 117 | 344 |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 109 | 320 |
| Wood | 111 | 325 |
| Carbon Fiber | 109 | 320 |
| PC/ABS | 119 | 350 |
| HIPS | 137 | 404 |
| PVA | 115 | 338 |
| ASA | 135 | 396 |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 157 | 462 |
| Acetal (POM) | 101 | 297 |
| PMMA | 120 | 353 |
| Semi flexible (FPE) | 66 | 193 |
Do you want to know how we calculated this chart? This is the formula we have used. Let’s take an example of a 1.75mm coil weighing 1kg. You could do the same calculation for a 3mm coil.
How many grams are in a meter of filament? (with chart)
The question asked the other way around: how much does a meter of 3D printing filament weighs. We have also generated a chart with all the information so that you can consult it comfortably.
| Material | How much does 1 meter of 1.75mm filament weighs? [grams] | How much does 1 meter of 3mm filament weighs? [grams] |
| PLA | 2.98 | 8.76 |
| ABS | 2.50 | 7.35 |
| PETG | 3.05 | 8.97 |
| Nylon | 3.65 | 10.74 |
| Flexible (TPU) | 2.91 | 8.55 |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 3.13 | 9.18 |
| Wood | 3.08 | 9.04 |
| Carbon Fiber | 3.13 | 9.18 |
| PC/ABS | 2.86 | 8.41 |
| HIPS | 2.48 | 7.28 |
| PVA | 2. 96 | 8.69 |
| ASA | 2.52 | 7.42 |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 2.16 | 6.36 |
| Acetal (POM) | 3.37 | 9.89 |
| PMMA | 2.84 | 8.34 |
| Semi flexible (FPE) | 5.19 | 15.26 |
How much does my 3D printed part weigh?
As a curiosity, in Cura you can also see the length of filament you spend per piece in the lower part of the program.
How to calculate the density of a filament with all formulas
As we have mentioned, density is the relationship between mass and volume of something; in this case our 3D filament.
We already have the mass of the filaments, since they usually come in coils of 1[kg] of weight (minus the weight of the support). We only have to know the volume, and here comes the problem.
If we consider the filament as if it were completely stretched, it would be a very long cylinder tube, like this, where we are going to define the main measurements.
To calculate the volume of that cylindrical tube, we have the following procedure:
We have the filament radius, and we understand that it is 1.75[mm]/2. If we wanted to do a more precise calculation, we would take into account that the diameter of a filament has a tolerance of ±0.05[mm] and there are even manufacturers that reach ±0.02[mm].
The fact is that in order to do this analysis, you don’t have to take this into account, but it’s always good to know it (so you can look at it in the product specifications when you buy it).
Only length would remain and this is the one that does not normally come in the manufacturer’s specifications. However, it is usually between 335[m], although this value can vary between companies.
Finally, to calculate the density of a 1[kg] filament:
What did you think of our article on densities of 3D materials?
And this is as far as the article goes. We hope you liked it. Now you only need to read it a couple more times, and practice.
We would love if you could comment on the meters of the new filament you buy, and if the formula has really hit the nail on the head (when you finish it clearly).
Greetings and see you in the next article. Meanwhile, if you need something, you know you can count on our online 3D printing service.
3D printing lightweight PLA parts
3D printing lightweight PLA parts
LW-PLA is the first filament of its kind using an active foaming technology to achieve lightweight, low density PLA parts. At around 230C this material will start foaming, increasing its volume by nearly 3 times.
Users can decrease material flow by 65% to achieve lightweight parts, or use the expanding properties to effectively reduce print time by using big layer heights or single extra thick perimeters.
Active foaming technology, how does it work?
The main input variables to control the expansion are speed, temperature and flow.
This allows users to vary density of the material for different parts of the model.
We use the following 4 step process to determine the maximum expansion at a certain speed, temperature and flow.
- Print cubes at a set speed in temperatures varying from 200°C up to 280°C
- Measure perimeter thickness of each cube, note temperature with highest expansion.
- Print cubes with decreasing steps of flow, using temperature found in step 2.
- Find the cube at which perimeter thickness equals nozzle size.
Up to 65% weight reduction
Due to the expanding property of the material users can decrease flow while still printing dimensionally accurate models. Users can realize a 65% weight reduction compared to regular PLA.
3D Print more
Due to the expanding property of the material users can decrease flow while still printing dimensionally accurate models.
Users can realize a 65% weight reduction compared to regular PLA.
Superb surface quality
LW-PLA prints in a fantastic matte looking surface finish and is very easy to post process. Any oozing or stringing artifacts rub right off and the surface is easily sanded for a smooth finish.
What would you print with LW-PLA?
Some weeks ago we asked our community members to submit their 3D printing project ideas for our brand new LW-PLA. We received many ideas and have seen some really interesting applications areas such as, rc planes & drones, cosplay & props, lost foam casting and many more.
We also invited Richard Horne, a.k.a. RichRap to beta test our LW-PLA material. Together we learned a lot about the material and the processing of this material.
Richard was able to use the material for his own Master spool design and even a client project.
We need challenging materials, we need to work with or find ways around the limitations and allow more people to experiment with exciting developments like this foaming LW-PLA.
Richard Horne, a.k.a. RichRap
Reviews from the community’
Insanely Light First 3D printed plane!!!
A 4th dimension for 3D prints - Colorfabb Light-Weight, foaming PLA
Light Weight PLA filament
90,000 types of plastic for 3D printerContent
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- Pla
- ABS
- HIPS
- PVA
- Petg
- SBS 9000
Every year 3D printing becomes more popular and accessible. Previously, a 3D printer was more like a complex CNC machine, but now manufacturers are meeting users. Simplified and automated settings that many beginners drove into a stupor. Despite this, it can be difficult for a novice user to understand the variety of constantly appearing plastics for a 3D printer.
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The choice of plastic for a 3D printer is very important, especially when the goal is to print a functional model with certain properties. It will be a shame if the printed gear breaks almost immediately, or the decorative model quickly loses its beauty.
It is important to understand whether the printer will be able to work with the selected plastic. Some materials (most often engineering) require certain conditions for successful printing.
First, decide which model you want to print. What properties should it have? Does the model need to be durable? Or is it a master model for further replication, in which the quality of the surface is important? nine0003
90% of 3D printers use 1.75 diameter filament. 3mm diameter is rare, but it is better to check in advance which size is used in your printer.
PLA
PLA (Polylactide) is the most popular and affordable 3D printer plastic. PLA is made from sugar cane, corn, or other natural raw materials.
Therefore, it is considered a non-toxic, biodegradable material.
Extruder temperature - 190-220 degrees. Table heating is not needed, but if the printer's table has a "heater" for better adhesion, you can heat it up to 50-60 degrees. PLA is very easy to work with. The only requirement is to blow the model. There is practically no shrinkage in this material. When printed, it is practically odorless, and if it smells, it smells like burnt caramel.
Pros:
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Does not shrink. This makes it easy to build prefabricated or huge models without changing dimensions. nine0003
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There are no specific requirements for a 3D printer. Any working 3D printer will do. PLA doesn't need a heated table or a closed case.
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Non-toxic. Due to this, during printing it does not smell or has a barely perceptible aroma of burnt caramel.
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Diverse color palette.
nine0051 Cons:
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PLA is poorly sanded and machined.
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It begins to deform already with a slight heating (about 50 degrees).
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Fragility. Compared to other materials, PLA is very brittle and breaks easily.
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Decomposes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Of course, it will not fall apart into dust, but it can become more brittle and fade. nine0003
PLA is perfect for making dimensional or composite models. For example, decorative interior items, prototyping, electronics cases, etc.
Recently, PLA+ has appeared on the market. It may differ from conventional PLA in improved performance. For example, more durable, with improved layer adhesion.
Dummy turbine
Decorative coasters
ABS
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the second most popular plastic for 3D printing due to its properties, availability and low price.
Extruder temperature - 220-240 degrees. The temperature of the table is 80-100 degrees. For printing, a heated table is required at the printer. It is desirable to have a closed chamber, because ABS "does not like" drafts. Due to a sharp temperature drop, it can “unstick” from the table or crack in layers. ABS can smell bad when printing, so it is recommended to use the printer with a closed chamber and filters, or print in a well-ventilated area. nine0003
Pros:
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Good strength characteristics allow the production of functional prototypes from ABS.
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Simple mechanical and chemical processing. ABS is easy to sand and drill, and with an acetone bath you can achieve a perfectly smooth surface.
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It is currently the most inexpensive type of plastic for 3D printing. nine0003
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Large selection of colors and shades.
Cons:
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High shrinkage.
Because of this, it can be problematic to manufacture overall products. -
Printing requires a heated bed and a closed chamber. Without this, the ABS may peel off the table or crack in layers.
nine0008 -
During the printing process, ABS can smell bad. Therefore, it is recommended that you print in a ventilated area or use the printer with a sealed chamber and filter.
ABS is an engineering plastic. It is suitable for the manufacture of simple functional products.
ABS after chemical treatment in an acetone bath
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RU model made of ABS
ABS+ differs from conventional ABS in improved strength characteristics (elasticity, rigidity, hardness), less shrinkage and sometimes resistance to certain oils and solvents (eg gasoline).
HIPS
HIPS (high impact polystyrene) - originally conceived as a soluble support plastic for materials with high printing temperatures.
For example for ABS or Nylon. nine0003
The extruder temperature is 230-260 degrees. The temperature of the table is 80-100 degrees. It is desirable to have a closed camera for a 3D printer.
Pros:
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Less shrinkage than ABS.
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Ease of machining.
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The matte surface looks very advantageous on decorative products. nine0003
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Food contact allowed (but be sure to check with a specific manufacturer for certificates)
Cons:
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For printing, you need a printer with a heated table and a closed chamber.
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More flexible and less durable than ABS. Because of this, it will not be possible to produce functional products. nine0003
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Small palette of colors.
Most often, HIPS is used for its intended purpose for printing on 2x extruder printers as a support for ABS.
It dissolves perfectly (though not very quickly) in limonel.
Sometimes HIPS is used as an independent material. Products from it are not very durable, but this plastic is loved for easy post-processing. HIPS can be used for models that will subsequently come into contact with food (not hot). nine0003
Using HIPS as a Soluble Support
Decorative vase made of HIPS
PVA
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is a material that was developed as a water-soluble support for PLA.
Extruder temperature - 190-210. Table heating is not required. PVA is a slightly "capricious" material, it is not recommended to overheat it and print at high speeds. nine0003
PVA is very hygroscopic and dissolves in plain water. Therefore, it is only used as a support for PLA or other plastics with print temperatures close to PVA.
Soluble PVA Support
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PETG
PETG (polyethylene terephthalate) combines the best properties of PLA and ABS.
It is easy to work with, it has a low percentage of shrinkage and excellent sintering of the layers.
Extruder temperature - 220-240 degrees. Table temperature - 80-100 degrees. During the printing process, the model must be well blown.
Pros: nine0003
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Excellent sinterability of layers.
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PETG is very strong and wear resistant. Good impact resistance.
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Virtually no smell when printing.
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Non-toxic.
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Little shrinkage.
nine0029 -
slight shrinkage
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Transparency. After treatment with solvent, limonel or dichloromethane, beautiful transparent products with an almost smooth surface can be obtained.
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Allowed contact with food.
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High strength and wear resistance.
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High slip factor.
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Heat resistance compared to other 3D printing plastics.
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High resistance to many solvents.
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Good for mechanical processing.
Perfectly polished and drilled. -
Some fillers (eg clay) are abrasive. For such plastics, the standard brass nozzle cannot be used. Will have to buy a harder steel nozzle.
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Some decorative plastics can clog the small nozzle (0.4 or less). For them, you need to use a “thicker” nozzle. nine0003
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Hardness and strength.
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Low flammability or non-combustibility.
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High precision due to low shrinkage.
nine0029 - Introduction
- Conditional division into “amateur” and “professional” plastics nine0008
- Basic materials
- ABS
- PLA
- PETG
- HIPS
- SBS (Watson)
- TPU (FLEX )
- NYLON
- AS
- PP
- PC
- POM
- PMMA
- PEEK
- Ceramo
- PVA
- WAX
- Clearing
- Composite materials nine0008
- Conclusions
- FAQ
- printing of functional, mechanically loaded products, nine0008
- case printing,
- decorative printing,
- manufacture of vessels, tubes and containers,
- printing plastic parts.
- above degradability over time, especially outdoors. with a difference in temperature and humidity, although the situation can be slightly improved by applying a protective coating to the product, nine0008
- very low softening temperature - about 50 ℃, the product will “float” in direct sunlight and even in the shade on a hot summer day,
- brittle at temperatures below -10℃,
- can occasionally get stuck in hotends when printing, although this does not happen always and infrequently.
- printing of large items, incl. prototypes and forms,
- print products with precise geometric dimensions, nine0008
- decorative prints, incl. for painting,
- print cases,
- printing of mechanically loaded parts (taking into account the operating time, temperature, etc.),
- is simple and not capricious in printing,
- does not emit harmful substances and does not smell when heated,
- does not shrink, which means it does not warp, does not come off and is not afraid of drafts and keeps the exact dimensions of the part without the need correction,
- table temperature from room to 80 ℃, which means it can be printed on almost any printer,
- excellent sinterability, almost never delaminate,
- strength is comparable to ABS, while PETG is more flexible, stretchable and resilient,
- is not afraid of water and a number of chemicals, incl. acids, alkalis and solvents,
- UV resistant,
- extremely durable,
- softening point from 80℃,
- non-toxic,
- beautiful glossy surface, gears and other contact parts of medium duty machines,
- high impact resistance,
- wide range of colors, including transparent,
- low price.
- requires careful adjustment of print parameters and some getting used to it after ABS and PLA,
- a little “snot” due to high fluidity,
- low adhesion of the surface, which means it is poorly painted, poorly glued (but it washes well ),
- viscous, poorly processed mechanically and even worse chemically, solvents such as DCE and DCM do not smooth the surface, but soften the part, which only leads to loss of shape. nine0008
- low density, light weight,
- softness, very easy to machine,
- matt surface that looks good, visually hides unevenness and layers, can be easily painted if necessary,
- high softening temperature (similar to ABS),
- less shrinkage than ABS, which makes printing slightly easier, especially on large parts,
- non-toxic, odorless, food-safe,
- is durable,
- is not afraid of moisture,
- is a good color range, but not as rich as ABS and PLA.
- requires a high table temperature, from 90 ℃,
- is afraid of drafts and uneven cooling, although not as much as ABS, but care should be taken,
- fragility and low strength, not recommended for use for loaded parts,
- is UV resistant, but can be overcoated. nine0008
- easy to print,
- low shrinkage for easy printing and dimensional accuracy,
- impact and tear resistance,
- non-toxic, food and liquid compatible,
- water resistant,
- frost resistance,
- excellent transparency,
- beautiful color range, especially for transparent rods,
- easy mechanical and chemical processing,
- flexible and resilient, even thin-walled products are very strong.
- high flexibility, not suitable for machine parts,
- relatively weak adhesion of layers forces to reduce print speed and/or increase nozzle temperature.
- is degraded by UV light.
- soft and flexible, hardness varies by version and manufacturer,
- impact resistant,
- tear resistant,
- abrasion resistant,
- waterproof,
- oil resistant,
- indifferent to gasoline, can be used for containers, lids and gaskets,
- heat resistant, works at high temperatures.
- is not easy to print, requires fiddling with settings and may need to modify the printer, such as the bar feed mechanism,
- low print speed,
- poor adhesion to the table,
- a small selection of colors, most often: white, gray, black.
- Indispensable for the manufacture of flexible "rubber" parts and decorative elements.
- perhaps the most durable plastic available,
- resilient,
- low slip surface, abrasion resistant,
- heat resistant,
- chemical resistant, 90.
- very difficult to print, requires printers with an active thermal chamber, heating of the nozzle to 260 ℃ and the bed to 120 ℃, which puts 99% of household printers out of the game,
- high shrinkage, size correction is required,
- need to dry thoroughly before each use,
- elastic, must be taken into account when designing parts,
- high price,
- only two colors: white (translucent) and black.
- strong, hard, durable,
- UV resistant,
- operating temperature -40℃ to 90℃,
- can be easily machined and smoothed with an acetone bath,
- stains well.
- capricious in printing, warps from uneven cooling, afraid of drafts,
- does not stick well to the table, even heated to 110℃, nine0008
- emits harmful gases during printing, which, moreover, smells unpleasant, it is advisable to use a hood.
- small assortment,
- is at least twice as expensive as ABS.
- high strength,
- low slip, low friction wear,
- chemical resistance,
- non-toxic.
- complex printing,
- high requirements for printers (temperature, heat chamber),
- large shrinkage,
- does not tolerate frost, it is better not to use at negative temperatures.
- high strength, especially impact,
- huge operating temperature range,
- low slip coefficient, low friction wear,
- easy mechanical post-processing,
- no chemical resistance, 90.0
- complex printing,
- high requirements for printers (temperature, thermal chamber),
- high shrinkage,
- hygroscopicity,
- is destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet light.
- very strong,
- low coefficient of friction, high wear resistance, excellent for mechanical gears,
- frost resistant, can work at temperatures down to -50 ℃.
- very tricky to print, requires drying, active thermal chamber, high temperature of the extruder and table,
- professional printers are required for printing.
- transparent, durable outdoors,
- non-toxic,
- is easy to process. nine0008
- high temperature printing, up to 255℃,
- cures too quickly, requiring high speed and precision printing,
- Shrinkage on cooling is not very large, but there is. Can be a problem given the high setting speed.
- very strong, performs well under heavy mechanical loads,
- chemically resistant,
- durable,
- non-toxic,
- very high softening point,
- resistant to abrasion, can work in kinematic pairs.
- high printing temperature,
- active thermal camera required,
- expensive.
- almost identical to real ceramics,
- beautiful and pleasant to the touch,
- good layer sinterability,
- heat resistant,
- non-toxic,
- can be printed on household printers, with some restrictions,
- only white,
- is easy to machine.
- is very fragile, however, this is a plus for imitation of ceramics, nine0008
- not suitable for printers that bend the bar a lot when printing,
- requires careful handling at all stages, from storage to use of the finished product,
- is quite expensive.
- Easy printing, low temperature of the extruder and table,
- Good sintering of layers,
- High accuracy,
- Uniqueness,
- Small shrinkage, not affecting quality,
- Soft soft , requires care when handling,
- is afraid of high temperatures.
- water-soluble,
- non-toxic,
- good adhesion to the table at any temperature, which can be used in tandem with any plastic,
- no smell when printing.
- requires a printer with two extruders,
- cannot be heated above 210℃,
- is hygroscopic, care must be taken when storing and dry before use,
- is expensive.
Cons:
PETG is perfect for printing functional models. Due to its low shrinkage, it is often used to make large or composite models. Due to its low toxicity, PETG is often used for products that will come into contact with food.
Cookie cutters and patterned rolling pin
SBS
It is a highly transparent material. At the same time, it is durable and resilient.
SBS is a low toxicity plastic. It can be used to print food contact models. nine0003
Extruder temperature - 230 -260 degrees. Table temperature - 60-100 degrees. You can print without the closed case on the printer.
Pros:
Easily processed mechanically or chemically.
Cons:
SBS is excellent for translucent vases, children's toys and food containers. Or functional things that require transparency, such as custom turn signals for a motorcycle or car, lamps or bottle prototypes. nine0003
Vases are perfectly printed with a thick nozzle (0.7-0.8) in one pass (printing in 1 wall or spiral printing in a slicer).
Models of bottles after chemical treatment
Nylon
Nylon (polyamide) is considered the most durable material available for home 3D printing. In addition to good abrasion resistance and strength, it has a high slip coefficient. nine0003
Extruder temperature - 240-260 degrees. The temperature of the table is 80-100 degrees. Nylon is a very capricious and hygroscopic material - it is recommended to dry the coil with plastic before use. For printing, you need a printer with a heated table and a closed chamber, without this it will be difficult to print something larger than a small gear.
Pros:
nine0051 Cons:
Nylon is perfect for making wear-resistant parts - gears, functional models, etc. Sometimes nylon is used to print bushings.
Nylon gear
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Soft plastics
FLEX (TPU, TPE, TPC) is a material similar to silicone or rubber. It is flexible and elastic, but at the same time tear-resistant. For example, TPE is a rubbery plastic, while TPU is more rigid.
FLEX are printed at a temperature of 200-240 (depending on the material). A heated table is not required. On printers with direct material feed (feed mechanism on the print head), there are usually no problems with printing. On a bowden feeder (the feed mechanism is located on the body), printing with very soft plastics can be difficult. Usually it is necessary to additionally adjust the clamping of the bar. The main nuance is the very low print speeds - 20-40mm. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
Depending on the type of FLEXa, the models can be flexible or rubber-like. This material, depending on its softness, can be used to print gaskets, insoles, belts, tracks or other models that require flexibility or softness.
FLEX belt
nine0102 Trainers with flexible soles
Wheel for switchgear model
Decorative plastics
Decorative plastics are PLA plastics with various fillers (wood or metal shavings).
Or with dyes selected to imitate different materials. Since the base of the plastic is PLA, it is very easy to print.
Extruder temperature - 200-220 degrees (depending on the manufacturer). A heated table is not required. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
Depending on the filler, different material properties are obtained. Plastics that use only dye do not require additional processing. Materials with "fillers" may sometimes require additional post-processing.
Plastics with metal fillers after printing must be processed with a metal brush. Then the Metal content will show through and the model will resemble a metal casting.nine0043
Plastics with metallic powder
These plastics are often used for printing key chains, decorative models and interior details.
If the plastic has a high content of wood dust, then it is recommended to use a larger nozzle diameter (0.5 or more), a smaller nozzle can quickly become clogged during printing.
Wood-filled plastic ground
Plastic key rings with copper dust
Engineering plastics
These are nylon-based plastics with fillers that improve strength, heat-resistant and other characteristics, help to achieve less shrinkage of the material. For example - carbon fiber, carbon fiber or fiberglass.
Extruder temperature - 240-300 degrees (depending on the manufacturer). Table temperature - 90-110 degrees. Since plastics are based on nylon, the requirements for printing are similar. This is a heated table and a closed printer case.
Pros:
Cons:
3D printers use brass nozzles, some plastics can quickly “waste” it during printing. For such materials it is recommended to use steel nozzles.
These are highly specialized plastics used for a specific task, depending on the filler. For example, functional parts that do not lose their shape when heated, are resistant to many solvents, etc. nine0003
Functional Carbon Fiber Composite Prototype
Composite frame
Polycarbonate ashtray
Totals
This is of course not the whole list of materials for 3D printing. There are many highly specialized engineering and decorative plastics for specific tasks.
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Manufacturers are constantly trying to replenish the range of materials for 3D printing. Already familiar materials are improved for more comfortable printing. There are many interesting decorative plastics imitating different materials - ceramics, clay, wood, metals.
And of course, the assortment of engineering plastics is constantly updated. Now there are many interesting materials for highly specialized tasks - for example, burnable plastic with a low ash content for subsequent casting in metal. nine0003
Burnout plastic
Before buying a coil, read the information on the website of the manufacturer or seller. There you can find some nuances of printing for a particular plastic. The manufacturer indicates the recommended temperature range on the box. Sometimes, for quality printing, it is recommended to print several tests to adjust the temperature settings, retract, etc.
Try to store the started coil in silica gel bags.
It is recommended to additionally dry high-temperature plastics before printing to remove excess moisture. nine0003
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Manufacturer FlashForge Basic plastics for FDM 3D printing
Contents
Introduction
At the current level of technological development and the chemical industry in the world, an insane amount of plastics has been developed and sold, which continues to increase every day.
However, most of this diversity is due to slight modifications to the basic compositions, as well as the intrigues of marketers from manufacturing companies who come up with different names for the same products, just to sound good. In this article, we will try to briefly describe different types of plastics, which fundamentally differ from each other in composition and, as a result, properties and characteristics. We describe their strengths and weaknesses, and the preferred areas of application arising from them. nine0003
Important note. Plastics of even the same type can differ quite a lot from each other depending on the manufacturer, additives, quality, color, batch, and even on the period and storage conditions. This is especially true for materials such as PLA, they are contraindicated in high and low humidity, high and low temperatures, direct exposure to sunlight (UV in particular), but after a year or two, even under ideal conditions, they become brittle like dry spaghetti and unsuitable for work.
Therefore, the information in this article (and other sources) is valid only for average plastics and applies to their original, new state. For the same reason, we will not delve into the variety of technical characteristics, we will only touch on the main ones, since the spread is too large and any figure will be approximate. Information about the more or less exact parameters of each specific plastic on a specific coil should be taken from the manufacturer's specifications. nine0003
Note. This article deals only with plastics for FDM printing, liquid polymers and materials for other technologies - a topic for separate articles.
Conditional division into amateur and professional plastics
The word “conditional” in the title is not accidental, there is no clear division of plastic types according to such a criterion as “professionalism”. All of them can be used both at home and at work, but working with some of them places very high demands on the printer, which in most cases are not available to home “favorites”.
For example, not all budget printers will be able to provide a nozzle temperature above 250 ℃, and not every nozzle will endure such treatment. A thermal camera is also not a cheap pleasure, especially an active one, capable of maintaining a predetermined temperature in the print working area. And the price of professional / engineering plastics, as a rule, is several times higher than usual ones, which makes them completely uninteresting for home use. However, it is interesting and useful to get acquainted with them, you need to know what FDM technology is capable of, brought to perfection, so we included professional materials in this review too. nine0003
Plastic materials
ABS , the full, hard-to-pronounce name is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. One of the oldest representatives of thermoplastics for FDM printing, has both an army of old-school fans and modernist deniers, holivars between which have not subsided for more than a year. We will not join any of the parties, everyone decides for himself what to love and what to hate, as well as change his mind in the course of time, experiments, experienced admiration and disappointment.
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ABS is a fully synthetic material, which means it has the following advantages:
strength and impact resistance,
chemical resistance,
long service life,
high temperature resistance,
possibility of light post-processing, both mechanical (drilling, grinding, cutting, etc.) and chemical (dissolved in acetone),
Individual parts made of ABS are bonded immediately and permanently with acetone, nine0003
low price.
Due to its merits, ABS is excellent for printing functional, mechanically stressed products. Parts can work for a long time at temperatures from -40 to +80 degrees Celsius, in damp conditions and even in water, as well as in the environment of some aggressive chemical vapors and liquids. With the help of an “acetone bath”, the surfaces of ABS products are given a pleasant glossy appearance, which makes it possible to successfully use it for artistic and decorative purposes, which, incidentally, is facilitated by the widest color gamut of all plastics on the market.
In addition, ABS is one of the most inexpensive materials, which undoubtedly contributes to maintaining its popularity. nine0003
ABS is not without flaws, and there are many. The first follows from its chemical origin: when heated, an unpleasantly smelling gas is released, which is far from beneficial to the health of others. This property already imposes a desire to equip the workplace with exhaust ventilation, which is not so easy for living conditions. Some adherents of the ABS sect say with blue lips that there is nothing wrong with that, but not everyone believes them, looking into their honest, but sunken and yellowed eyes.
In addition, ABS is a rather capricious material, large shrinkage breaks and warps products during the printing process at the slightest uneven cooling. Any draft will cause delamination of the part, separation from the table and most likely lead to marriage. And this imposes another expensive wish on the workplace: a closed box, preferably with heating of the internal volume.
This is especially true when printing volumetric products and when manufacturing parts with exact dimensions. Scale correction should be done in advance in the model or in the slicer. nine0003
For good adhesion to the table, it will need to be heated to at least 90 ℃, and preferably 100-110 ℃, which makes another strict requirement for the printer.
ABS does not tolerate sunlight and exposure to other sources of UV radiation, but this disadvantage can be partially solved by coloring the product, since it is painted well.
Based on the above, ABS can be recommended for:
PLA is the full name of polylactide. Also the "old man" in the world of FDM printing, but in contrast to the poisonous ABS, it is almost a natural product.
It is based on lactic acid extracted from corn, sugar cane, potatoes and other agricultural products. It does not pose any danger of poisoning during printing, on the contrary, it smells pleasantly like fried potatoes, but it tends to degrade during storage, in other words, biodegrade. This fact must be taken into account. After some time, usually a couple of years (there are a number of studies on this topic with opposite conclusions), the product may begin to actively lose its strength and appearance, which already excludes a number of possible applications. It has a lot of improving modifications from various manufacturers of varying degrees of success nine0003
Pros:
material is very easy to print, and therefore especially recommended for beginners,
there is no shrinkage during cooling, the material sticks perfectly to the table even without heating, it is not afraid of drafts, which means that any simple printer will work,
does not require corrections to the dimensions of the part,
strong and hard, practically no springiness, perfectly holds the load in compression, tension and fracture much more than ABS, nine0003
non-toxic,
is available in a wide range of colors including metallic, wood, glow in the dark, iridescent and other complex colors,
is well processed mechanically, well painted, and therefore suitable for the manufacture of decorative products.
Cons::
PLA is therefore recommended for:
PETG - polyethylene terephthalate flavored with glycol.
A very promising newcomer to 3D printing materials. It successfully combines most of the advantages of PLA and ABS, while devoid of most of the disadvantages of them. Today it can be called a favorite in the general-purpose plastics market for both beginners and experienced printers. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
Thus, PETG can be recommended to any user for the manufacture of almost any product, from artistic to mechanically loaded. The lack of toxicity allows it to be used for dishes, food containers, molds and children's toys.
HIPS is a high strength polystyrene. It was originally meant as an auxiliary plastic for ABS, used as a support. It dissolves quickly and without residue in limonene without affecting the base material. However, it can be used independently, for example, for the manufacture of decorative unloaded products, “high strength” is present here only in the name.
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Pros:
Cons:
HIPS has a rather narrow range of applications, it is decorative products without load (printed and put on a shelf) and support for printing with ABS plastic.
SBS aka Watson, real name styrene butadiene styrene. The same age as PETG in the world of plastics, that is, it appeared on the market relatively recently. Similar to PETG in many ways: easy to print, non-toxic, shrinkage is present, but insignificant and does not affect quality. Does not tolerate ultraviolet light, avoid sunlight or apply a protective coating. Distinctive features: especially transparent and flexible. SBS produces the best lampshades, shades and other transparent elements for lighting products. Solvent-treated surfaces finally get rid of irregularities, acquire smoothness and even greater transparency, imitating glass. nine00003
Pros:
Cons:
Excellent for safety glass-look decorative items. Due to its transparency, it is ideal for printing plafonds of lamps and fixtures. nine0003
TPU is a thermopolyurethane, also known as FLEX by some manufacturers, a soft rubber-like plastic. It is used for the manufacture of flexible products: wheels, dampers, gaskets, belts, coasters, toys and even shoes. Extremely tear and impact resistant, heat-resistant, softening point is about 110℃. It cannot boast of ease in printing, it sticks poorly to the table even at a temperature of 80-90 ℃, the layers do not fuse very readily, which limits the printing speed. It is hygroscopic, it is highly recommended to dry the rod before printing, otherwise voids and “pimples” are provided.
Doesn't handle retracts well, especially in bowdens, the long flexible bar is very intertwined. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
NYLON , in Russian nylon, synthetic plastic from the polyamide family. Very durable material on all sides with a very slippery surface and maximum abrasion resistance.
Due to this property, it is widely used for the manufacture of mechanical parts operating under high loads and with rubbing surfaces, such as gears, screws, plain bearings, hinges, and so on. At the same time, rubbing surfaces do not need lubrication, which means they do not collect dust and other abrasive, they work even longer than metal ones. Durable, withstands temperatures up to 120 ℃, it would seem an ideal plastic, but no, the pluses are crossed out by a very difficult print. The high degree of shrinkage warps the part when it cools, and the exceptional slip minimizes adhesion to the worktable. As a result, printing something more than a few millimeters in height on consumer printers is very difficult, almost impossible. The edges of the product are bent higher and higher with each layer, come off the table, then the whole workpiece comes off ... Tricks to improve adhesion do not help much: substrate, varnish, glue, thermal adhesive tape, and so on. As if this is not enough - nylon is also extremely hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture from the air quickly and a lot, which makes it cloudy and, when you try to print it in this form, bursts out of the nozzle with explosions of steam with pieces of plastic.
It is necessary to dry thoroughly and for a long time before each printing, and print as quickly as possible so that it does not have time to moisten again. In terms of complexity, it can probably be attributed to professional plastics, for printers with improved characteristics. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
At the amateur level, you can afford to print several small flat gears or hinges, with a thickness of 5-6 mm, and even then it will not work right away.
But unlike rubbing pairs made of other materials, nylon ones will last almost forever and in almost any conditions. Sometimes the pain is worth it. nine0003
ASA Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, a more expensive analogue of ABS, is UV and weather resistant. Rigid, resistant to oils, acids, gasoline, diesel fuel and similar liquids. Does not yellow over time. Used for outdoor parts such as cars, outdoor furniture and decor. In terms of printing complexity and in everything else, it is approximately equivalent to ABS with all its pluses and minuses. It has the same shrinkage, so the models need to be sized. With excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance, it remains a household plastic that can be printed on almost any printer, without forgetting, however, about the specifics. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
It makes sense to use for outdoor products such as automotive parts, outdoor lighting, decorative products, gardening tools, window and balcony elements, wearable accessories and so on. It will last for a long time in any conditions without losing its valuable properties. nine0003
PP - polypropylene. Strong, wear-resistant, not afraid of water and most chemicals, durable. Due to this, it is often and happily used in industry, but difficult for 3D printing. Problems are poor adhesion to the table and a high degree of shrinkage, which tends to bend inward and tear off the surface when printing.
He often succeeds. Requires high table and extruder temperatures. It can be attributed to professional plastics, which are better not to use at home without special need. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
Suitable for functional parts that work indoors (apartment, office, workshop) or outdoors in a warm climate. However, it can be quite successfully replaced by more flexible materials with similar characteristics. nine0003
PC - polycarbonate. Controversial plastic. On the one hand, it has high strength, especially impact, does not lose its properties in a wide temperature range from -140 to +150 ℃, which makes it unique in some senses, on the other hand, it does not tolerate ultraviolet and humidity, which nullifies its chic capabilities for outdoor applications.
Printing is not easy, it requires temperatures up to 310 ℃ from the nozzle, and up to 120 ℃ from the table, which not every “household” printer can handle. Afraid of drafts, shrinks when cooled, warps and breaks away from glass at the first opportunity. A closed chamber is recommended, preferably an active one. It makes sense to use in cases where extremely high temperature and impact resistance is required. It is well processed mechanically - sharpened, drilled, skinned. Easy to paint, which can partially correct the UV problem..
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Pros:
Cons:
POM - polyacetal. This is a truly professional plastic, nylon at maximum speeds. It outperforms its little brother in every way, including printing difficulty. It requires more temperature for both the nozzle and the table, moreover, those that household printers can very rarely provide: up to 250 and 130 ℃, respectively. Heat shrink is higher than nylon and ABS combined. An active thermal camera is already required, even for printing the smallest details. Hygroscopic, thorough drying before printing is essential. Suffering is justified by the highest strength, low coefficient of friction, high softening point, as much as 135 ℃. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
Direction of use is the same as nylon, but it makes sense if the strength and other properties of nylon are not enough. nine0003
PMMA - polymethyl methacrylate, popularly called plexiglass. Another professional plastic with interesting properties, but difficult to print. It is transparent, resistant to UV, atmosphere, water and many chemicals. It is well processed mechanically, easily and firmly sticks together with itself and with other materials.
Pros:
Cons:
It is used in the same place as ordinary plexiglass: lamp shades, light boards, plates, housings, pipes and fittings of complex configuration.
Can be used in contact with food and in medicine. nine0003
PEEK - polyetheretherketone. Professional hard plastic. The high melting point is both its plus and minus: on the one hand, parts made from it can operate at temperatures up to 150 ℃, which is inaccessible to most plastics, on the other hand, the extruder needs to be heated up to 410 ℃, and you can’t look for such household printers. Even a different nozzle is required, the standard bronze one is not good.
Pros:
Cons:
It is used in especially critical parts and devices that experience high mechanical loads and high heating temperatures.
Printing requires industrial equipment. Due to its high strength, chemical resistance and lack of toxicity, it is used in medicine, in particular for the manufacture of prostheses and frameworks in dentistry. nine0003
Ceramo - plastic imitating ceramics. Similar to ceramics in everything, in feel, in weight, just as hard, but brittle. It is well processed mechanically, you can go through the sandpaper to hide the traces of printing, and then it is almost indistinguishable from real ceramics. Non-toxic, withstands boiling water, Ceramo cups and teapots can be used for their intended purpose. With caution, you can print on household printers, since the print temperature is quite democratic, about 220 ℃. The main thing is not to go too far, that is, a bar, when printing, because it is also almost porcelain in terms of fragility. nine0003
Pros:
Cons:
It is used, as the name suggests, for the manufacture of "ceramic" products: cups, teapots, candlesticks, figurines, lamps and other decor. Not intended for mechanical parts under physical stress.
WAX One of the few materials used for the manufacture of intermediate products. Details printed with wax are poured with gypsum, after which it hardens, it is heated and melted out of the mold obtained in this way. In the future, the form can be filled with any material to obtain the final part, including metal. Before pouring, the printed model can be subjected to simple post-processing, for example, removing traces of printing, for which it is enough to gently heat the surface of the product with a hot air gun.
Printing with wax is easy and enjoyable, and any 3D printer will do. nine0003
Plus:
disadvantages:
Used in mold making for prosthetics, jewelry, prototyping and so on. nine0003
PVA - polyvinyl alcohol, water-soluble material. It is used exclusively as a support when printing complex objects with other plastics, such as ABS or PETG, it is enough to immerse the printed product in warm water for a few minutes and a finished clean model will remain without traces of supports. Allows you to print composite products from several objects in the assembly. You will need a printer with two extruders, which is now no wonder and not uncommon even in the domestic segment.
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Pros:
Cons:
Application due to properties: as a support for complex models. As an independent material, it does not make sense, since it decomposes quite quickly even from atmospheric moisture. Due to the high price, it should be used in case of emergency, when otherwise it is very difficult to print the part or it is very difficult to get rid of the supports without the danger of damaging the product.
Cleaning - cleaning material for 3D printer heads. For the manufacture of products is not used. It is used by perfectionists when changing plastic, especially from one type to another, in order to ensure that the remnants of the previous one are removed from the nozzle.
It works like this: the head is heated to the printing temperature of the removed plastic, a cleaning filament is manually fed in a few centimeters until it exits the nozzle in an even jet, then the hot end turns off, cools down a bit and the cleaning plastic is removed with the remnants of the previous solidified material. In real life, it is used extremely rarely, usually when changing, the old plastic is simply pushed out with a new one until it is completely replaced. To clean the nozzle from dust and other foreign substances, you can use any ordinary plastic using the same technology: heat it, cool it a little, remove it along with the garbage. Examine the result, it is possible to repeat several times. nine0003
Composite materials
Unlike the above monocomponent plastics, composite materials are a mechanical mixture of the base plastic and additives to impart additional properties to the material. Typically, two goals are pursued: changing the appearance for decorative plastics and improving physical or chemical properties, strength, hardness, resistance to ultraviolet, liquids, and so on.
Most often, PLA and ABS plastics act as the basis, as the most common and easy to manufacture, print and operate. Composite materials are available in a great variety, here are just a few examples. nine0003
Metal-filled PLA
The filler is usually copper, brass, bronze, less often steel and iron. The proportion of metal in the filament ranges from 5 to 40%; the more, the closer the appearance of the product to the corresponding metal, but the lower its strength. In general, decorative composites cannot boast of high strength, their task is only to imitate metal and look beautiful. Functional parts designed for load are not recommended to be printed from this type of plastic. But grinding and polishing after printing is recommended, then the product will acquire the most chic look, up to indistinguishable from a real casting. Plastic with copper iron filler becomes covered with a patina over time, and iron with a rust coating, which makes them even more authentic. nine0003
Print parameters are similar to normal PLA, but may differ slightly, you should be guided by the manufacturer's recommendations.
It should be borne in mind that metal particles contribute to the rapid wear of the nozzle, especially steel and iron. You will have to get used to the fact that the nozzle is a consumable item, and vigilantly ensure that its wear does not have time to affect the print quality. As an option, use steel and titanium nozzles, they are more tenacious, but they transfer heat worse, you will have to slightly adjust the heating temperature and print speed. nine0003
Wood-filled PLA
Mixture of 70% plastic and 30% wood fibre. The appearance of the filament varies depending on the type of wood: beech, birch, cedar, pine, and so on, and the shade of the printed product also depends on the temperature of the extruder, the higher, the darker. Finished models are very similar to real wooden ones, they smell the same, they feel the same in the hand, they are processed in the same way. Both the rod and the products have an exclusively decorative purpose, because they are very fragile, and care must be taken when handling them.
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Carbon-filled PLA and ABS
Carbon fibers are added to plastics to increase the strength of the material. In addition, carbon significantly reduces shrinkage during plastic cooling, which greatly facilitates ABS printing and reduces the number of rejects. The finished product is stronger, lighter and dimensionally more accurate than that made from pure material. The print settings are the same as the base material. The disadvantages include increased abrasiveness (which forces you to monitor the condition of the nozzles and periodically change them to new ones) and a high price. nine0003
PC/ABS
A blend of PC and ABS that combines the rigidity, strength, especially impact and heat resistance of polycarbonate with the relatively easy and familiar handling of ABS. The big advantage is the ability to print in most consumer printers, which is almost impossible to achieve with a pure PC. Reduces heat shrinkage of ABS, which is also a big plus for accuracy and ease of printing.
Composite is several times more expensive than ABS, but sometimes it is justified. The print options are similar to conventional ABS. nine0003
Pins
Novice “printers” often get lost in the variety of materials, want to try as many options as possible as quickly as possible, spend a lot of time and effort on it, often drawing wrong conclusions and even experiencing anger and disappointment if something is not right. it turns out. In this article, we briefly described the pros, cons of each type of plastic and the possible difficulties that arise with one or another material. We hope that our work will help with the choice of the most suitable filament for a particular task, the printer and the qualifications of the master, will allow you to quickly get used to it and enjoy printing. Experienced users, on the other hand, will learn about unusual and professional plastics and decide whether they are worth paying attention to and whether they are ready to deal with them.
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FAQ
What is the best plastic to start with in the world of 3D printing?
The simplest and easiest to work with is, of course, PLA. No wonder most often the coil with this plastic is attached to the new printer. There are settings for it in any slicer, any, even the simplest and most inexpensive printer, can withstand the parameters. It is very difficult to spoil a part from PLA even the first time, which, as you know, is lumpy.
What plastic do you recommend for everyday use? nine0052
There are as many opinions on this as there are typical everyday plastics, and it's up to you, but we recommend taking a closer look at PETG, it is optimal for both a beginner and an experienced user. Durable, not smelly, not capricious in printing, durable, resistant to many destructive factors. However, it is not suitable for all tasks, read above about the shortcomings and limitations.
Is it worth spending time, effort and money printing with professional plastics?
If the properties of ordinary household plastics are critically small for your tasks, then of course yes.
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