There are various types of 3D printing materials that you can purchase for your required applications. However, before purchasing them, you must consider a few essential factors to ensure you make the right choice, such as the design and application of the product. When you buy the 3D Printing Materials, you must buy the 3D filament, for which it is essential to know the type of materials to use and their qualities. You can use various materials to print; each has unique characteristics and properties, which can be defined according to specific tasks. Filaments are available in various colours and are usually put on printer spools to be placed in or on 3D printers.
Which Materials to Use in 3D Printing?
Those mentioned above and various other materials can be used for 3D Printing, such as ABS plastic, PLA, glass-filled polyamide, polyamide, stereolithography materials (epoxy resins), silver, titanium, steel, wax, photopolymers, and polycarbonate.
Commonly Used 3D Printing Materials
The most commonly utilized filaments are plastic within FDM, SLS, and SLA printing technologies. The fused deposition modeling printing filaments are commonly preferred in various environments.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS is a robust impact-resistant filament that is highly preferred for 3D Printing of solid printed items. They are commonly utilized in FDM technologies and are the industry’s most affordable and easily accessible 3D printing material or technology. ABS has excellent physical features and enormous process stability, due to which they are a widely used thermoplastic polymer. The material is also very lightweight and durable, making ABS more appropriate for tools, toys, and all utensils. They are printed at an over-average temperature for ABS; this filament gives powerful 3D print outcomes.
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
PLA is made by using renewable resources. A benefit of using polylactic acid over ABS is its biodegradable properties. However, it can still deteriorate when it comes in contact with water. PLA is one of the most accessible materials to work with. However, there is a risk of shrinkage after the printing process.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
PET is commonly used in plastic bottles in today’s environment. The main benefit of PET is its food safety properties, along with good chemical resistance. This material has a high degree of recycling and gives the best printing results, usually at 75-90ºC. Other materials are available such as Stereolithography materials (Epoxy Resin), Polycarbonate, HDPE, Metal filament, and carbon fiber mix.
Applications
3D printing materials can be used for a wide variety of applications that include:
- Prototyping
- Jewelry
- Architecture models
- Aviation
- Engineering
- General Printing
- Hobbyist
- Medical
- Education.