Are 3D Printed Objects Durable? - Makenica

Choosing the right material for 3D printing can be challenging. Each 3D printed material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some are significantly more durable than others. But how long will each type of 3D printed material last over time? Generally, 3D printed parts can be just as strong and durable as components made from other materials. This is why many car manufacturers use 3D printed parts to test concepts. However, the strength and durability of a 3D printed object largely depend on how it was created. Factors such as wall thickness and infill density play a crucial role in determining the long-term durability of a 3D printed object.

Introduction to the Durability of 3D Printed Objects

PLA has been the most popular 3D printing material for years. This plastic filament is used with FDM 3D printers and is one of the most cost-effective and accessible materials available.

In recent years, more exotic materials like nylon and resins have become more accessible.

If you browse the internet for 3D printing services in India, you’ll see how easily a 3D printed object can fail, especially if not printed correctly. Materials like PLA can easily break along the layers if not printed properly. However, other materials like resin also have limitations in terms of strength. Each type of 3D printable material has its own unique durability, with some being much stronger and more durable than others. In this guide, we explore the most popular 3D printed materials to determine their durability and longevity.

How Durable is a PLA 3D Printed Object?

As previously mentioned, PLA (Polylactic Acid) is one of the most popular and widely used filaments in 3D printing service in India. It is easy to work with and cost-effective compared to other materials, providing users with more flexibility in aspects like infill density. PLA is relatively easy to print with, as it can be used on a wide range of FDM 3D printers. It doesn’t require extremely high temperatures and is highly accessible. With a tensile strength of 7,250 psi, PLA is one of the strongest 3D printing materials available. However, PLA has its weaknesses. It can become brittle, making it unsuitable for applications under heavy load. Additionally, it has a low melting point, which means it can weaken, bend, or even melt under high temperatures. At around 40°C, PLA starts to warp or bend and lose its rigidity.

How Durable is an ABS 3D Printed Object?

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is another commonly used filament. The tensile strength of ABS is 4,700 psi, which is lower than PLA. However, ABS has different characteristics when compared directly to PLA. While PLA melts at higher temperatures (above around 40°C), making it prone to brittleness and shattering under heavy load, ABS has a much higher melting point of around 200°C, making it more durable in hotter conditions. ABS also has added flexibility, which PLA lacks. This means that under heavy load, ABS tends to bend rather than shatter.

Is PLA or ABS More Durable?

Although PLA is technically stronger due to its higher tensile strength, ABS tends to be more durable over time. Thanks to its ability to flex rather than shatter, ABS can withstand much heavier impacts. This makes ABS less likely to break when dropped, thrown, or crushed compared to PLA.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7gpW6aCz0o 

How Durable is an SLA Resin 3D Printed Object?

SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printing Bangalore is primarily used for achieving high-detail prints compared to FDM 3D printing online . Resin 3D prints lack the typical layer lines found in filament objects, resulting in sharper details. This makes SLA 3D printing in Bangalore ideal for creating miniatures for tabletop games like Star Wars Legion. The main drawbacks of SLA resin 3D prints are cost and strength. Resin printing is more expensive than FDM printing services and generally less durable. However, the overall strength and durability depend on the type of resin used. Resins come in various forms, including acrylate-based and epoxy-based resins. Industrial-grade resins can have a tensile strength of up to 8,000 psi, making them extremely durable. However, more commonly used resins, such as Anycubic 3D Printer Resin, have a tensile strength of just 3,300 psi. Resin 3D prints have some strength advantages over filament prints. The strength of a filament 3D object heavily depends on the print orientation, which affects the infill direction and overall strength. In contrast, a resin 3D printed object does not have this limitation. Resin prints are equally strong when subjected to forces from any direction. SLA 3D printing service in India rarely relies on infill, maintaining rigidity across all axes.

How Durable is a Nylon 3D Printed Object?

Nylon is an increasingly popular filament for Online 3D printing India. Similar to ABS, it offers more flexibility, reducing the likelihood of breaking under applied forces. Nylon is often the preferred material for industrial 3D printing online over ABS or PLA. With a tensile strength of around 7,000 psi, nylon is slightly less strong than PLA. Different types of nylon filaments have varying tensile strengths. Unlike PLA, which tends to shatter or break, nylon bends under pressure. It is more flexible than ABS, which in turn is more flexible than PLA. This flexibility makes nylon one of the most durable 3D printable materials. Nylon has a melting point of around 220°C, making it suitable for high-temperature applications. Despite its durability, nylon is more challenging to 3D print compared to ABS and PLA. It requires slower printing speeds and higher extruder temperatures.

The Best Way to Make 3D Objects Stronger

The strength of your 3D printed object or part is heavily dependent on the printing techniques used. Key factors include infill density, wall thickness, the number of walls, and the material chosen for printing.

What is Infill Density and How Does it Affect Strength?

Infill density can be thought of as the internal support structure between the walls of your print. Infill involves filling the interior of the walls with additional 3D printed material to enhance strength and durability. A higher infill density means more material is used to support the walls. Increasing the infill density will make your 3D printed object or part more durable and stronger by providing additional support. However, this also makes the part heavier and increases the amount of material used, which in turn raises the cost of printing. Common infill patterns include honeycomb and grid designs. These patterns provide numerous small supports that collectively enhance the overall durability of the print.

Are 3D Printed Objects Fragile?

3D printed objects do not have to be fragile. When printed using the correct techniques, they can be very durable and long-lasting. However, if you print a small object or part with low infill density or thin walls, it may have weaknesses in certain areas. Properly optimizing infill density, wall thickness, and the number of walls can significantly improve the strength and longevity of your 3D printed objects.

Case Studies on Making 3D Printed Objects Durable

1. Automotive Industry: Ford Motor Company

Objective: Ford Motor Company aimed to use 3D printing to create durable prototypes and end-use parts for their vehicles.

Approach:

• Material Selection: Ford used high-performance materials like carbon fiber-reinforced nylon and polycarbonate.
• Infill Density: They optimized infill patterns and densities to ensure parts could withstand mechanical stress.
• Wall Thickness: Increased wall thickness was employed for parts subjected to high stress.
• Post-Processing: Parts were post-processed with annealing to enhance strength and durability.

Outcome: The 3D printed parts met the required durability standards, allowing Ford to reduce prototyping time and costs significantly. The parts were used in functional testing and some even in final production models.

2. Aerospace Industry: GE Aviation

Objective: GE Aviation sought to produce durable, lightweight components for jet engines using 3D printing chennai.

Approach:

• Material Selection: GE used advanced metal alloys like titanium and nickel-based superalloys.
• Infill Density: They employed lattice structures to reduce weight while maintaining strength.
• Wall Thickness: Critical components were designed with variable wall thickness to optimize strength-to-weight ratio.
• Post-Processing: Heat treatments and surface finishing were applied to improve mechanical properties.

Outcome: GE successfully produced durable jet engine components that were lighter and more efficient. The 3D printed fuel nozzles, for example, were five times more durable than traditionally manufactured ones and contributed to significant fuel savings.

3. Medical Industry: Stryker Corporation

Objective: Stryker aimed to create durable, patient-specific implants using 3D printing.

Approach:

• Material Selection: Biocompatible materials such as titanium and PEEK (polyether ether ketone) were used.
• Infill Density: Customized infill patterns were designed to mimic the natural bone structure, providing strength and promoting bone growth.
• Wall Thickness: Implants were designed with optimized wall thickness to balance strength and weight.
• Post-Processing: Surface treatments were applied to enhance osseointegration and durability.

Outcome: Stryker successfully produced durable, patient-specific implants that improved surgical outcomes and reduced recovery times. The implants demonstrated excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility.

4. Consumer Products: Adidas

Objective: Adidas aimed to produce durable, high-performance footwear using 3D printing.

Approach:

• Material Selection: Adidas used thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for its flexibility and durability.
• Infill Density: Optimized lattice structures were used in the midsole to provide cushioning and support.
• Wall Thickness: Critical areas of the shoe were reinforced with thicker walls to withstand wear and tear.
• Post-Processing: The shoes underwent rigorous testing and finishing processes to ensure durability.

Outcome: Adidas launched the Futurecraft 4D line, featuring 3D printed midsoles that offered superior performance and durability. The shoes received positive feedback for their comfort and longevity.

Conclusion

As shown above, the strength and durability of a 3D printed object come down to a few different factors. When looking at long term durability, you can’t just take into account pure tensile strength. You also need to look at elements such as how the object behaves under load, whether it will break or bend, and how it performs under high temperatures. While PLA is the most commonly used 3D printing material, and it is extremely strong, it doesn’t necessarily have the same amount of durability as ABS or nylon. Whichever 3D printing material you choose, you should know the object can be as strong and durable as you desire. A lot of the overall durability will be down to the methods that you use when designing the model and printing it.

Read More: How do Resin Printers Work?