More Than Just Plastic
In the previous part, we showed you how to create your first 3D print step-by-step. Now, we’ll focus on one of the most crucial components of the entire process – the building material itself. Choosing the right material is just as important as selecting the right technology. The properties of the final product – its strength, flexibility, temperature resistance, and appearance – are directly determined by the material from which it is printed.
Filaments for FDM Printers: From PLA to Polycarbonate
The world of FDM filaments is incredibly diverse. Here’s an overview of the most common ones you’ll encounter.
- PLA (Polylactic Acid): The absolute king of hobby 3D printing. Made from renewable resources like corn starch, and biodegradable. It prints very easily, has minimal tendency to warp, and doesn’t necessarily require a heated bed. It’s available in a vast range of colors and effects. Ideal for decorations, visual prototypes, and toys. Its main weaknesses are low temperature resistance (softens around 60 °C) and brittleness.
- PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol): The golden mean and an excellent all-around material. It is significantly stronger, more flexible, and more temperature-resistant than PLA, but prints considerably easier than ABS. It’s also resistant to water and chemicals and is often certified for food contact. Perfect for functional and mechanical parts such as holders or enclosures. It tends to form thin wisps (“stringing”) during printing.
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): The material from which LEGO bricks are made. It is very strong, tough, and resists higher temperatures (up to 100 °C). However, printing with it is challenging – it requires high temperatures and an enclosed print chamber to prevent deformations (warping) and cracking due to shrinkage. It releases characteristic-smelling fumes during printing, so good ventilation is necessary.
- ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate): An improved version of ABS. It has similar mechanical properties but also excellent resistance to UV radiation and weathering. This makes it an ideal choice for parts intended for outdoor environments, such as car components, garden tools, or sensor covers.
- TPU/TPE (Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Elastomer): Flexible, rubber-like materials. Used for printing pliable parts such as phone cases, gaskets, or damping pads. Printing with them can be challenging, as it requires slow speeds and a well-calibrated extruder to prevent filament entanglement.
- Nylon (Polyamide, PA): One of the toughest and most durable materials for FDM printing. It excels in resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and high temperatures. It is used for printing gears, bearings, and other highly stressed mechanical parts. Its major disadvantage is hygroscopy – it absorbs atmospheric moisture extremely readily, so it must be actively dried before and during printing.
- PC (Polycarbonate): Extremely strong and impact-resistant material with high temperature resistance. It is one of the most durable thermoplastics available for desktop printers. However, printing is very difficult, requiring extremely high nozzle and bed temperatures and a heated print chamber.
- Composites and Special Filaments: Basic plastics can be enhanced with additional particles to give them unique properties. Popular options include filaments filled with wood fibers (for an aesthetic, wooden appearance), carbon fibers (CF) (for extreme stiffness and strength with low weight), or metal powder (to achieve higher weight and a metallic appearance).
For better orientation, the following comparison table is provided:
Resins for SLA/DLP Printers
In resin printing, material selection is entirely dependent on the desired function of the final part. Manufacturers offer a wide portfolio of specialized resins:
- Standard Resins: Versatile resins for printing detailed models and visual prototypes with a smooth surface.
- Tough/Durable Resins: Designed to simulate the properties of plastics like ABS or PP. They are ideal for functional prototypes and parts that must withstand mechanical stress.
- Flexible/Elastic Resins: These materials mimic rubber and silicone with varying hardness. They are used for printing flexible and compressible prototypes, gaskets, or ergonomic elements.
- Castable Wax Resins: Special resins designed for jewelry and dentistry. After printing, the model is used in the lost-wax casting process – the resin burns away completely during firing, leaving a perfect mold for casting precious metal.
- Biocompatible Resins: Medically certified materials for manufacturing medical devices, such as surgical guides, dental models, or aids for direct skin contact.
A Diverse Palette of Materials
We’ve explored a diverse palette of materials, from simple PLA for decorations to durable Nylon for mechanical parts and specialized resins for perfect details. The right material choice is key to a successful project. But what good are all these excellent materials if we don’t have a reliable printer and quality filament from a verified manufacturer?
In the next article, we’ll look at who rules the world of 3D printing. We’ll introduce key printer and filament manufacturers, including the strong Czech footprint on the global market.
