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3D Printer Materials Guide
Want to learn more about the materials used for 3D printing, and the pros and cons of each of them? Here’s everything you need to know!
One of the most-used printing materials, PLA (Poly-Lactic Acid) is highly versatile. It’s made from renewable sources like sugar cane, which helps keep the price low. It’s a very forgiving material with a low chance of warping and good reusability. As a bonus, it produces a sweet, popcorn-like smell when melted.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is the second main plastic used in 3D printing. It’s more heat-resistant than PLA, but can be melted down and reused if needed. Its melting point is at about 221°F, so you don’t have to worry about your creations melting in most cases.
This is a more durable plastic too, making it a strong choice for prototyping. You can sand, paint, and polish it without worrying about cracking or warping. It barely shrinks too, so you don’t have to compensate too heavily for that. For the reasons above, ABS is heavily used in manufacturing: it’s what LEGO bricks are made of!
If you want to create objects that can take a beating, nylon is the right material for you. It’s tough, abrasion-resistant, and has a good degree of flexibility to it that most others don’t. For instance, nylon can be used to create cable ties without them snapping.
Carbon fiber filament is usually PLA or ABS infused with tough fibers that enhance its stability. It’s very light, yet manages to vastly improve the stiffness and rigidity of an object. Further, these fibers help to prevent shrinking as the item cools. The required printing settings barely differ from those of ABS or PLA filament.
Polycarbonate filament (sometimes called PC) is a transparent, tough material that’s suitable for high-temperature applications thanks to its very high transition temperature (around 302°F). PC is naturally flexible, so it can be used in a range of circumstances, including those where the print will be subject to stress.
ASA stands for Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile. It’s commonly used in outdoor applications because it’s highly resistant to high temperatures and UV rays. It’s tough too, so you don’t have to worry about it shattering unless you’re really rough with it. So far, so good, but what’s the catch?