TOP 12 MATERIALS USED FOR 3D PRINTING - MAKENICA

Diverse materials are used for 3D printing and even the products that result from the process are all unique.

As such, 3D printing enables manufacturers to determine the shape, texture and strength of a product.

Most pre-eminent of all, these qualities can be achieved with fewer steps than what is needed in traditional means of production.

 So, it all comes down to choosing right 3D printing material for the type of end-product required.

Since there are a lot of them present in market, below is information about the 9 widely used: –

TOP 12 MATERIALS USED FOR 3D PRINTING

1. Nylon

It is also called polyamide. It is a synthetic thermoplastic linear polyamide.

• Known for its durability
• excellent strength to flexibility ratio
• Very little warpage
• easily dyed or coloured
• Inexpensive
• the toughest plastic material

• As it is hygroscopic, it must be kept dry.
• Shelf life of only 12 months
• This material can shrink during cooling.
• Printer suitability varies

2. ABS

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a thermoplastic that is generally used as a 3D printer filament

• Readily Available
• Inexpensive
• It is highly available and in diverse colours.
• It has a longer lifespan compared to Nylon.
• Best for manufacturers and engineers who are looking for high-quality prototype production.

• It requires a heated bed when printing.
• These materials have a high melting point, it tends to warp if cooled while printing.
• non-biodegradable
• Toxic fumes are produced along with awful smell at high temperature.

3. Resin

It is used in technologies- SLA, DLP, Multi-jet, or CLIP. The forms of resins used in 3D printing are castable resins, tough resins, flexible resins, etc.

• It has low shrinkage.
• High chemical resistance
• Rigid and flexible

• It is expensive.
• It has to be stored securely due to its high photo-reactivity.
• If exposed to heat, it will cause premature polymerization.

4. PLA (Polylactic Acid)

PLA or Polylactic Acid are made from renewable resources such as sugarcane or corn-starch. It is also called “green plastic”. It is also used in FDM desktop printing.

• Easy to print
• low warping
• Printable even on a cold surface
• Can print with sharper corners
• available in different colours.

• Not very sturdy, deform when exposed to extreme heat

5. Stainless steel

The technologies used for this material are- DMLS and SLM. As this material is all more strength and detail, it is the best choice for miniatures, bolts and key chains

• It can be heat treated in order to improve strength and hardness.
  

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• It performs well in high strength applications.
• It has strong resistance against corrosion.
• It has high ductility.

• Building time for 3D printing using these metals are much longer.
• Expensive
• The printing size is limited.

6. Titanium

It is the strongest and the lightest material for 3D printing. It is used in Direct Metal Laser Sintering. It is primarily used in high-tech fields such as space exploration, aeronautics, and the medical field.

• Great complexity and resolution provided
• It provides precision in design.
• It has an average surface roughness.
• biocompatible and corrosion-resistant

• expensive

7. Ceramics

It is the newest material that is used in 3D printing.

It is widely used in Binder Jetting technology, SLA (Stereolithography) and DLP (Digital Light Processing).

• It consists of high-precision components with a smooth and glossy surface.
• It is resistant to acid, heat, and lye.
• Available in a wide range of colours
• more durable than metal and plastic

• It requires a great amount of temperature to melt.
• not suitable for glazing and kilning processes
• it is fragile which limits it in printing objects with enclosed and interlocking parts.
• Not an excellent choice for the piece assembly process

8. PET/PETG

A material used in thermoforming processes. In 3D printing, PETG is used. It is the advancement of PET including G which stands for- glycol-modified. It is applicable in FDM or FFF technologies.

• durable
• impact-resistant
• recyclable
• It can also be sterilized.
• excellent layer adhesion
• It is a unification of ABS (temperature resistant, stronger) and PLA (easy to print).

• can be weakened by UV light.
• prone to scratching

9. HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)

This is a plastic filament that is used for support structures in FDM printers. It is soluble in a liquid hydrocarbon called limonene.

• good machinability
• very smooth and lightweight
• water-resistant and impact-resistant
• its ability to dissolve

• It produces strong fumes. Thus, it is recommended to be used in a ventilated area.
• this material can clog up nozzle and delivery tubes of the printer if the heat flow is not constant.

10. Polycarbonate(PC) Filament

Polycarbonate (PC) is one of the strongest 3D printer filament presented in this list which is extremely durable and resistant to both physical impact and heat and is able to withstand temperatures of up to 110°C. It is also known as PC filament.

• Very High Strength
• Flexibility
• Very High Durability
• Extremely strong
• Heat resistant

• Difficulty to use
• Hygroscopic
• Shrinkage/warping
• Not soluble
• Not food safe

11. Polyether Imide(PEI) Filament

It is an amorphous plastic with a characteristic semi-transparent amber colour. It is used mainly for its high mechanical strength, stable electronic properties, and excellent chemical stability.

• stable electronic properties
• excellent chemical stability
• exceptional mechanical strength
• Rigid and strong
• stability in high-temperature conditions

• Challenging to work with
• Expensive
• Not easily available

12. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Filament

TPU is a form of elastomer, capable of being used on any properly equipped FDM 3D printer.

In 3D printing, TPU 3D printed parts are durable and have the ability to withstand ambient temperatures.

• More rigid
• Easier to extrude and use
• Fatigue Resistant
• Flexible
• Excellent vibration dampening
• Long shelf life
• Good impact resistance

• Not soluble
• Hygroscopic
• Not food safe
• Slower in printing

The right knowledge of 3D printing materials and processes can lead you to become the best manufacturer in no time. As the 3D printing industry grows, more materials will be used for making prototypes and will be compatible with different 3D printers. As with the emerging new printing technologies, there is a steep learning curve.