TYPES AND PROPERTIES OF FILAMENTS FOR A 3D PRINTER MODULE BY SIR
NARICO
3D printing, particularly Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), filaments serve as the
fundamental raw material. Here's a breakdown of their function:
A. Providing the Building Material:
a. Filaments are essentially the "ink" of a 3D printer. They are long, thin
strands of thermoplastic material that are fed into the printer.
b. The printer melts this thermoplastic, and then precisely deposits it layer
by layer to build a three-dimensional object.
B. Enabling Additive Manufacturing:
a. The filament is what allows for the additive manufacturing process. This
means that the object is created by adding material, rather than
subtracting it (like in traditional machining).
b. This layer-by-layer deposition is how complex 3D shapes are formed.
C. Determining the Properties of the Final Product:
a. The type of filament used greatly influences the properties of the finished
3D printed object.
b. Different filaments offer varying levels of:
i. Strength
ii. Flexibility
iii. Durability
iv. Heat resistance
v. Aesthetic qualities
c. Therefore, the choice of filament is crucial for achieving the desired
outcome.
D. Facilitating Prototyping and Production:
a. Filaments enable the creation of prototypes for testing designs, as well as
the production of functional parts for various applications.
b. They allow for a very wide range of possible products.
A. FILAMENT GROUPS
3D printer filaments can be broadly categorized, with some of the most common
groups being:
Standard Thermoplastics:
o These are the most commonly used filaments.
PLA (Polylactic Acid): Known for its ease of use and
biodegradability.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Favored for its durability
and impact resistance.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified): A
balance between PLA and ABS, offering good strength and flexibility.
Flexible Filaments:
o These filaments allow for the creation of flexible and elastic parts.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): Highly flexible and durable.
TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer): Offers a rubber-like feel.
Engineering-Grade Filaments:
o These filaments are designed for demanding applications requiring high
strength and durability.
Nylon (Polyamide): Known for its strength, durability, and wear
resistance.
PC (Polycarbonate): Offers high strength, impact resistance, and
heat resistance.
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate): Similar to ABS but with
improved UV resistance for outdoor applications.
Specialty Filaments:
These filaments offer unique properties or aesthetic effects.
Wood-filled filaments: Contain wood fibers for a wood-like appearance.
Metal-filled filaments: Contain metal particles for a metallic finish.
Carbon fiber-filled filaments: Enhanced strength and rigidity.
Conductive filaments: Allow for the creation of electronic circuits.
Soluble filaments: like PVA, and HIPS, used for support structures.
B. FILAMENT PROPERTIES
Key properties to consider when choosing a 3D printer filament include:
Strength: The filament's ability to withstand stress.
Flexibility: The filament's ability to bend without breaking.
Durability: The filament's resistance to wear and tear.
Temperature Resistance: The filament's ability to withstand high temperatures.
Impact Resistance: The filament's ability to withstand sudden impacts.
Ease of Printing: How easy the filament is to work with, including its tendency to
warp or require specific printing conditions.
Moisture Sensitivity (Hygroscopicity): How readily the filament absorbs
moisture from the air, which can affect print quality.
Chemical Resistance: The filaments ability to withstand chemicals.
Biodegradability: The filaments ability to decompose.
Food Safety: Whether the filament is safe for contact with food.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLASTIC FILAMENTS AND COMPOSITE FILAMENTS
A. Plastic Filaments:
Composition:
These are primarily made of a single type of thermoplastic polymer.
Examples include PLA, ABS, PETG, and nylon.
They consist of a relatively pure form of the plastic material.
Properties:
Their properties are largely determined by the inherent characteristics of the
base plastic.
They offer a consistent set of mechanical and thermal properties.
They are generally used for a wide range of general-purpose 3D printing
applications.
Examples:
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified)
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
B. Composite Filaments:
Composition:
These are made by combining a base plastic (often PLA) with other materials,
such as fibers, powders, or particles.
These added materials are intended to enhance or modify the properties of
the base plastic.
Examples of added materials include, wood fibers, metal powders, and
carbon fibers.
Properties:
They exhibit enhanced or modified properties compared to pure plastic
filaments.
These enhancements can include increased strength, stiffness, heat
resistance, or aesthetic effects.
They often require specialized printing conditions or equipment.
Examples:
Wood-filled filaments
Metal-filled filaments
Carbon fiber-filled filaments
Key Differences Summarized:
Material Composition: Plastic filaments are primarily a single plastic polymer,
while composite filaments are a blend of plastic and other materials.
Material Properties: Plastic filaments have properties inherent to the base
plastic, while composite filaments have modified or enhanced properties.
Application: Plastic filaments are for general-purpose use, while composite
filaments are for specialized applications requiring specific properties.
EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE 3D PRINTING PROJECTS FOR EACH:
Common Filaments:
A. PLA (Polylactic Acid):
Appropriate Projects:
Decorative items (vases, figurines)
Prototyping (visual models)
Educational models
Toys (non-load-bearing)
Architectural models
Why: PLA is easy to print, has a wide range of colors, and is
biodegradable.
B. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene):
Appropriate Projects:
Functional parts (gears, casings)
Automotive parts
Toys (durable)
Enclosures for electronics
Tools.
Why: ABS is strong, durable, and heat-resistant.
C. PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified):
Appropriate Projects:
Mechanical parts
Containers (food-safe options available)
Outdoor applications
Protective cases
Robotics parts.
Why: PETG is a good balance of strength, flexibility, and ease of printing.
D. Specialized Filaments:
E. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane):
Appropriate Projects:
Flexible phone cases
Gaskets and seals
Wearable items (wristbands)
Flexible robotics parts
Shoe soles.
Why: TPU is highly flexible and durable.
F. Carbon Fiber-Filled Filaments:
Appropriate Projects:
Structural components
Drone parts
Tooling and jigs
High stress mechanical parts.
Robotic components.
Why: Carbon fiber-filled filaments provide enhanced strength and rigidity.
G. Metal-Filled Filaments:
Appropriate Projects:
Decorative items with a metallic finish
Props and replicas
Weighted objects
Art pieces.
Why: Metal-filled filaments offer a unique aesthetic and increased weight.
H. Conductive Filaments:
Appropriate Projects:
Low-voltage electronic circuits
Touch sensors
Wearable electronics
Prototyping electronic circuits.
Why: Conductive filaments allow for the creation of functional electronic
components.
I. Soluble Filaments (PVA, HIPS):
Appropriate Projects:
Complex prints with overhangs
Intricate internal structures
Models with complex support structures.
Why: Soluble filaments are used as support material that can be easily
removed.
J. Wood filled filaments:
Appropriate Projects:
Decorative models.
Architectural models.
Items that require a wood like aesthetic.
Why: Provides a wood like look and feel.
