3D printing filament
3D printing filament is the thermoplastic feedstock for fused deposition modeling 3D printers. There are many types of filament available with different properties, requiring different temperatures to print.[1] Filament is commonly available in the two standard diameters of 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm.[2] 2.85 mm filament is sometimes erronously referred to as "3 mm", but should not be confused with the less common filament size that actually measures 3 mm in diameter.[3]
Filament size should not be confused with the nozzle size, and several different combinations of nozzle and filament sizes may be used. One of the most common nozzle sizes is 0.4 mm, while examples of other common sizes includes 0.35 mm and 0.25 mm.[4]
Differentiated from powder and liquid resin for other 3D printing technology, the filament is produced into one continuous slender plastic thread in hundred meters long, which is usually spooled into a reel for purpose of storage and printer feeding.[5]
Production[]
Commercially produced filament[]
3D printing filament is created using a process of heating, extruding and cooling plastic to transform nurdles into the finished product. 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.[6][7]
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[8]). From there the nurdles are fed into a single screw extruder where it is heated and extruded into a filament.[6] The diameter is often measured by a laser 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.[6]
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.[9]
Use[]
The process of transforming 3D printing filament into a 3D model
- The filament is fed into the FDM 3D printer.
- The thermoplastic is heated past their glass transition temperature inside the hotend.
- The filament is extruded and deposited by an extrusion head onto a build platform where it cools.
- The process is continuous, building up layers to create the model.
Materials[]
| Filament | Special Properties | Uses | Strength | Density (kg/m3) | Flexibility | Durability | Difficulty to print | Print Temperature (°C) | Bed Temperature (°C) | Printing notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA |
|
Consumer Products | Medium | 1240[10] | Low | Medium | Low | 180 - 230 | No heated bed needed or, 60-80C are recommended also | |
| ABS |
|
Functional Parts | Medium | 1010[11] | Medium | High | Medium | 210 - 250 | 50 - 100 | |
| PETG (XT, N‑Vent) |
|
All | Medium | 1270[12] | High | High | Medium | 220 - 235 | No heated bed needed | |
| Nylon |
|
All | High | 1020[13] | High | High | Medium | 220 - 260 | 50 - 100 | Hygroscopic, keep sealed when not in use |
| TPE |
|
|
Low | High | Medium | High | 225 - 235 | 40 | Print very slowly | |
| TPU |
|
|
Low | High | Medium | High | 225 - 235 | No heated bed needed | Print slowly | |
| Wood | Wood-like finish | Home Decor | Medium | 1400[14] | Medium | Medium | Medium | 195 - 220 | No heated bed needed | |
| HIPS |
|
Support structures when using ABS on a dual extrusion printer. | Low | 1040[15] | Medium | High | Medium | 210 - 250 | 50 - 100 | |
| PVA |
|
Support structures when using PLA or ABS on a dual extrusion printer. | High | Low | Medium | Low | 180 - 230 | No heated bed needed | Hygroscopic, keep sealed when not in use | |
| PET (CEP) |
|
All | High | High | High | Medium | 220 - 250 | No heated bed needed | ||
| PLA Metal | Metal Finish | Jewelry | Medium | Low | High | High | 195 - 220 | No heated bed needed | Use hardened nozzle | |
| PLA Carbon Fiber |
|
Functional Parts | Medium | Low | High | Medium | 195 - 220 | No heated bed needed | Use hardened nozzle | |
| Lignin (bioFila) |
|
Medium | Low | Medium | Low | 190 - 225 | 55 | |||
| Polycarbonate |
|
Functional Parts | High | 1180 – 1200[16] | High | High | Medium | 270 - 310 | 90 - 105 | Use enclosed heated chamber at ambient temperature of around 60°C |
| Conductive (usually a graphite-plastic blend) | Conductive | Electronics | Medium | Medium | Low | Low | 215 - 230 | No heated bed needed | Use hardened nozzle | |
| Wax (MOLDLAY) | Melts Away | Lost wax Casting | Low | Low | Low | Low | 170 - 180 | No heated bed needed | ||
| PETT (T‑Glase) |
|
Functional Parts | High | High | High | Medium | 235 - 240 | No heated bed needed | ||
| ASA |
|
Outdoor | Medium | Low | High | Medium | 240 - 260 | 100 - 120 | ||
| PP |
|
Flexible Components | Medium | 1040[17] | High | Medium | High | 210 - 230 | 120 - 150 | |
| POM, Acetal |
|
Functional Parts | High | Low | Medium | High | 210 - 225 | 130 | ||
| PMMA, Acrylic |
|
Light diffusers | Medium | Low | High | Medium | 235 - 250 | 100 -120 | ||
| Sandstone (LAYBRICK; styled plastic) | Sandstone Finish | Architecture | Low | Low | Low | Medium | 165 - 210 | No heated bed needed | ||
| GLow-In-The-Dark plastic | Phosphorescence | Fun | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low | 215 | No heated bed needed | Use hardened nozzle | |
| Cleaning | Cleaning | Unclogging of Nozzles | N/A | N/A | N/A | Low | 150 - 260 | No heated bed needed | ||
| PC-ABS |
|
Functional Parts | Medium | Low | High | High | 260 - 280 | 120 | ||
| Magnetic (PLA blend) | Magnetic | Fun | Medium | Medium | Medium | High | 195 - 220 | No heated bed needed | ||
| Color Changing (plastic blend) | Thermochromism | Fun | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low | 215 | No heated bed needed | ||
| nGen (co-polyester) |
|
All | Medium | High | High | Medium | 210 - 240 | 60 | ||
| TPC |
|
|
Low | High | Medium | High | 210 | 60 - 100 | ||
| PORO-LAY | Partially Water Soluble | Experimental | Low | High | Medium | Low | 220 - 235 | No heated bed needed | ||
| FPE | Flexible | Flexible Parts | Low | High | High | Medium | 205 - 250 | 75[18][19][20][21][22] | ||
| PEI |
|
Functional Parts | High | 1270 | Medium | High | Medium | 340 - 380 | 180 - 200 | Use enclosed heated chamber at 220°C |
References[]
- ^ "16 Types of 3D Printer Filaments". 3D Insider. 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
- ^ "A Curious Thing About 3.00 vs 1.75 mm 3D Printer Filament". Fabbaloo. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ The 3mm Filament Problem
- ^ What 3D Printer Nozzle Size Should I Use? - The Pros and Cons...
- ^ "What is 3D Printer Filament?".
- ^ a b c "How It Is Made: 3D Printing Filament | Make". Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers. 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ https://www.filaments.directory/en/blog/2018/08/29/how-are-filaments-made
- ^ https://www.filaments.directory/en/blog/2016/09/15/what-effect-does-humidity-have-on-your-filament
- ^ CNC Kitchen. "Can you 3D Print with Trimmer Line?! - YouTube". YouTube.
- ^ "1.75mm EasyFil PLA Sapphire Grey". Formfutura. Archived from the original on 2017-04-23. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
- ^ "1.75mm Premium ABS Natural". Formfutura. Archived from the original on 2017-04-23. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
- ^ rigid.ink Filament Comparison Guide "Complete 3D Printing Filament Comparison Guide", rigid.ink, 2017-12-14
- ^ "NYLON PA12 - Technical Data Sheet" (PDF). Fiberlogy. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
- ^ "FiberWood - Technical Data Sheet" (PDF). Fiberlogy. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
- ^ "1.75mm EasyFil HIPS White". Formfutura. Archived from the original on 2017-04-23. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
- ^ "PC-Max - Polymaker". Polymaker. Archived from the original on 2017-04-23. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
- ^ "PP - Polypropylene - Technical Data Sheet" (PDF). Fiberlogy. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
- ^ "30 Types of 3D Printer Filament - Guide & Comparison Chart | All3DP". All3DP. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ "3D Printer Filament Comparison | MatterHackers". MatterHackers. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ "What Material Should I Use For 3D Printing? | 3D Printing for Beginners". 3D Printing for Beginners. 2013-02-10. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ "3D Printing Temperatures & Printing Guidelines". Filaments.ca. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
- ^ 3dprintingfromscratch.com (2014-12-10). "3D Printer Filament Types Overview | 3D Printing from scratch". 3D Printing from scratch. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
- Plastics
- 3D printing