3D printing filament

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3D printing filament in different colours with models created using the filament. 3D Printing Materials (16863368275).jpg
3D printing filament in different colours with models created using the filament.

3D printing filament is the thermoplastic feedstock for fused deposition modeling 3D printers. There are many types of filament available with different properties. [1]

Contents

Filament comes in a range of diameters, most commonly 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm, [2] with the latter often being confused with the less common 3 mm. [3]

Filament consists of one continuous slender plastic thread spooled into a reel. [4]

Production

Commercially produced filament

Stacks of commercially produced filament which have been shrink-wrapped to protect the filament from moisture. 3D Printing Materials (16837486456).jpg
Stacks of commercially produced filament which have been shrink-wrapped to protect the filament from moisture.

3D printing filament is created using a process of heating, extruding and cooling plastic to transform nurdles into the finished product. However, unlike a 3D printer, the filament is pulled rather than pushed through the nozzle to create the filament. The diameter of the filament is defined by the process that takes place after the plastic has been heated rather than the diameter of the extruder nozzle. A different force and speed is applied to the filament as it is pulled out of the extruder to define the width of the filament, most commonly 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm diameter. [5] [6]

The plastic nurdles are always white or clear. Pigments or other additives are added to the material before it is melted to create coloured filament or filament with special properties, e.g. increased strength or magnetic properties. Before the filament is extruded the nurdles are heated to 80 °C to dry it and reduce water content. The nurdles must be dried as many thermoplastics are hygroscopic and extrusion of damp plastic causes dimensional flaws (this is also the case when the finished filament is being printed [7] ). From there the nurdles are fed into a single screw extruder where it is heated and extruded into a filament. [5] The diameter is often measured by a laser beam(not melting) as part of a quality control mechanism to ensure correct diameter of the filament. The filament is then fed through a warm water tank which cools the filament which gives the filament its round shape. The filament is then fed through a cold water tank to cool it to room temperature. It is then wound onto a spool to create the finished product. [5]

DIY filament production

DIY filament production machines use the same method as FDM 3D printers of pushing the filament through the extruder to create the correct diameter filament. There are several DIY filament machines available as both open source plans and commercially available machines.

A food dehydrator can be used to remove water from hygroscopic materials at above 70 °C. [8]

Usage

The process of transforming 3D printing filament into a 3D model

  1. The filament is fed into the FDM 3D printer.
  2. The thermoplastic is heated past its glass transition temperature inside the hotend.
  3. The filament is extruded and deposited by an extrusion head onto a build platform where it cools.
  4. The process is continuous, building up layers to create the model.

Materials

FilamentSpecial PropertiesUsesStrengthDensity (kg/m3)FlexibilityDurabilityDifficulty to printPrint Temperature (°C)Bed Temperature (°C)Printing notes
PLA
  • Easy to print
  • Biodegradable, though only in very specific conditions
Consumer ProductsMedium1240 [9] LowMediumLow180 - 230No heated bed needed or, 60-80C are recommended also
ABS
  • Durable
  • Impact resistant
Functional PartsMedium1010 [10] MediumHighMedium210 - 25050 - 100
PETG (XT, N‑Vent)
  • More flexible than PLA or ABS
  • Durable
AllMedium1270 [11] HighHighMedium220 - 235No heated bed needed
Nylon
  • Strong
  • Flexible
  • Durable
AllHigh1020 [12] HighHighMedium220 - 26050 - 100Hygroscopic, keep sealed when not in use
TPE
  • Extremely flexible
  • Rubber-like
  • Elastic Parts
  • Wearables
LowHighMediumHigh225 - 23540Print very slowly
TPU
  • Extremely flexible
  • Rubber-like
  • Elastic Parts
  • Wearables
LowHighMediumHigh225 - 235No heated bed neededPrint slowly
Wood Wood-like finishHome DecorMedium1400 [13] MediumMediumMedium195 - 220No heated bed needed
HIPS
  • Dissolvable
Support structures when using ABS on a dual extrusion printer.Low1040 [14] MediumHighMedium210 - 25050 - 100
PVA
  • Dissolvable
  • Water Soluble
  • Biodegradable
  • Oil Resistant
Support structures when using PLA or ABS on a dual extrusion printer.HighLowMediumLow180 - 230No heated bed neededHygroscopic, keep sealed when not in use
PET (CEP)
  • Strong
  • Flexible
  • Durable
  • Recyclable
AllHighHighHighMedium220 - 250No heated bed needed
PLA Metal Metal Finish Jewelry MediumLowHighHigh195 - 220No heated bed neededUse hardened nozzle
PLA Carbon Fiber
  • Rigid
  • Stronger Than Pure PLA
Functional PartsMediumLowHighMedium195 - 220No heated bed neededUse hardened nozzle
Lignin (bioFila)
  • Biodegradable
  • Stronger than PLA
MediumLowMediumLow190 - 22555
Polycarbonate
  • Very strong
  • Flexible
  • Durable
  • Transparent
  • Heat Resistant
Functional PartsHigh1180 – 1200 [15] HighHighMedium270 - 31090 - 105Use enclosed heated chamber at ambient temperature of around 60 °C
Conductive (usually a graphite-plastic blend)ConductiveElectronicsMediumMediumLowLow215 - 230No heated bed neededUse hardened nozzle
Wax (MOLDLAY)Melts Away Lost wax Casting LowLowLowLow170 - 180No heated bed needed
PETT (T‑Glase)
  • Strong
  • Flexible
  • Transparent
  • Clear
Functional PartsHighHighHighMedium235 - 240No heated bed needed
ASA
  • Rigid
  • Durable
  • Weather Resistant
OutdoorMediumLowHighMedium240 - 260100 - 120
PP
  • Flexible
  • Chemical Resistance
Flexible ComponentsMedium1040 [16] HighMediumHigh210 - 230120 - 150
POM, Acetal
  • Strong
  • Rigid
  • Low Friction
  • Resilient
Functional PartsHighLowMediumHigh210 - 225130
PMMA, Acrylic
  • Rigid
  • Durable
  • Transparent
  • Clear
  • Impact Resistant
Light diffusersMediumLowHighMedium235 - 250100 -120
Sandstone (LAYBRICK; styled plastic)Sandstone Finish Architecture LowLowLowMedium165 - 210No heated bed needed
Glow-In-The-Dark plastic Phosphorescence FunMediumMediumMediumLow215No heated bed neededUse hardened nozzle
CleaningCleaningUnclogging of NozzlesN/AN/AN/ALow150 - 260No heated bed needed
PC-ABS
  • Rigid
  • Durable
  • Impact Resistant
  • Resilient
  • Deflecting Heat
Functional PartsMediumLowHighHigh260 - 280120
Magnetic (PLA blend)MagneticFunMediumMediumMediumHigh195 - 220No heated bed needed
Color Changing (plastic blend) Thermochromism FunMediumMediumMediumLow215No heated bed needed
nGen (co-polyester)
  • Similar to PETG
  • Heat Resistant
  • Transparent
AllMediumHighHighMedium210 - 24060
TPC
  • Extremely Flexible
  • Rubber-Like
  • Chemical resistant
  • Heat resistant
  • UV light resistant
  • Elastic Parts
  • Outdoor
LowHighMediumHigh21060 - 100
PORO-LAYPartially Water SolubleExperimentalLowHighMediumLow220 - 235No heated bed needed
FPEFlexibleFlexible PartsLowHighHighMedium205 - 25075 [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]
PEI
  • Heat Resistant
  • Strong
  • Flame Performance
Functional PartsHigh1270MediumHighMedium340 - 380180 - 200Use enclosed heated chamber at 220 °C
The process of turning 3D printing filament into a 3D model Filament Driver diagram.svg
The process of turning 3D printing filament into a 3D model

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