3D printer filament
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Introduction
This article should list the major 3D printer filaments that are available for 3D printing machines
"Normal"
ABS
- ABS (used for Legos and car parts) is solid, but warps when printed a room temperature. I.e. it is difficult to print objects that have a larger than 4cm footprint. When hobby 3D printers emerged, ABS was the material of choice. As of 2015, it is still popular, but there are other similar alternatives.
- Temperature: 2020 - 260
- Bed temperature: 65
Amphora
Also sold as XT-COPOLYESTER
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
- Similar properties as ABS, but warps less. Unlike ABS it is biodegradable. It is often used to pack food.
Nylon
- Nylon is a very strong material but probably difficult to print
PET / PETG
- PET is strong filament similar to ABS in strength, but prints more like PLA.
- Temperature: 2010 - 260
- Bed temperature: 55
PLA
- PLA (polylactic acid) is made of starch (i.e. plants). It doesn't warp, but it's not very solid and starts deforming (melting) at relatively low temperature. PLA is probably the most popular filament.
- Temperature: 180 - 220
- Bed temperature: 55
PVA
- PVA can dissolve in water and therefore be used as support material with a dual extruder.
Flexible
Arnitel
- Arnitel, a flexible filament, but difficult to print since it doesn't stick well
- Temperature: 220-203 ?
- Bed temperature: 65
Soft PLA
Is a kind of PLA that is flexible
- Temperature: 220-230
- Bed temperature: ?
TPE
- The two well know variants are NinjaFlex and FilaFlex
Composites
Composites are often based on PLA (e.g. 80%) plus other ingredients (e.g. 20%) like metal particles or wood fibers
List of producers
Links
- Filament comparison Guide at MatterHackers
- 3D Printer Filament Types Overview