3d printing materials - the common and exotic
DESCRIPTION
An overview of various 3D printing materials as presented by Lars Brubaker and Taylor Landry at the 2014 3D Printer World Expo.TRANSCRIPT
3D Printing Materials
http://www.3dppvd.org/
3D Printing Materials
PLA • Polylactic Acid
• Extrusion Temp: 190 – 230C
• Strengths o Low Odor
o Low Warping
o Glue-able (Super Glue)
o Renewable
• Weaknesses o Less Ductile (Brittle)
o Low glass transition temp (parts easily melt/deform in heat)
PLA • Bed Adhesion
o Blue (or Green) painter’s tape (heated or cold)
o Heated glass (40-60C)
• Layer Cooling Fan(s) required
• Resistant to most solvents
• Common uses: o Food packaging, disposable tableware, heat shrink film
PLA • Printing Tips/Tricks
o Increase temp when printing at high speeds (230-240C)
o When printing small parts, print 2 at a time
o To avoid jams, keep retraction to minimum effective length
because of thermal creep
ABS • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Extrusion Temp: 220 – 260C
• Strengths o Impact resistant
o Easy post clean up
o Easily sanded & painted
• Weaknesses o Warps
o Smelly
ABS • Bed Adhesion
o Heated Bed is required with all methods. 80-110C
o Kapton/PET film
o ABS “Juice” – dissolved ABS in acetone
o PVA/ Elmer’s glue stick
• NO layer cooling fans
• Heated chamber if possible
ABS • Printing Tips/Tricks
o Brims/Rafts can greatly improve flatness
o Higher infill = more warping forces
o Ambient temperature can dramatically affect results (avoid cold,
drafty rooms)
• Common Uses: o Legos, 2-Liter bottle caps, automotive trim
Nylon • Many different polymers available
o Taulman 618, 645
o Nylon 6
o Nylon 6/9
• Extrusion Temp: 240-270C
• Strengths o Excellent strength with flexibility
o Excellent interlayer adhesion (250C min)
o Resistant to most solvents
o High glass transition temp – heat resistant parts
Nylon • Weaknesses
o Warp
o High extrusion temp
o Very hygroscopic – Saturated in 18-24 hours
• Bed Adhesion o Heated glass (60-70C) with PVA glue or
glue stick
o Garolite sheets – no heat
o Wood/Plywood
Nylon • Printing tips/tricks
o Dry nylon prints smoothly and has glossy finish. Wet nylon pops
and hisses, has matte finish and weaker interlayer adhesion
o Dry filament in 170F oven for 4-6 hours
o Layer adhesion directly related to layer height/width.
o Use solder knife or heated blade to “glue” parts together.
o Flame polish with propane torch to eliminate any strings and give
glossy finish
• Common Uses o Trimmer line, toothbrush bristles, guitar strings
Laywoo-d3 • PLA with actual wood fibers
• Print Temp: 180 – 230C (changes color)
• Strengths o Good smell (cookies)
o Looks like wood
o Sandable / Carvable
• Weaknesses o Softer when printed
o Super low viscosity – strings easily
Laywoo-d3 • Bed Adhesion
o Blue painter’s tape
o Heated glass (40-60C)
• Layer Cooling Fan(s) required
• Hardens over time (48-72 hours)
Laywoo-d3 • Printing Tips/Tricks
o Use lowest possible extrusion temp to prevent stringing
o Increase speed to prevent stringing/blobbing
o Allow to cool before removing from bed
Soft PLA • Polylactic Acid – but flexible!
• Print Temp: 210-235C
• Strengths o Low Warp
o Flexible
• Weaknesses o Expensive
o Not durable
BendLay • Modified ABS – clear & flexible
• Extrusion Temp: 220-250C
• Strengths o Stronger layer adhesion than ABS
o Flexible
o Optically clear, no distortion when flexed
o Lower viscosity than ABS allows for faster print speeds
BendLay • Weaknesses
o Expensive
o Only flexible when thin (single-walled or <1.00mm wall thickness)
• Bed Adhesion o Heated bed (80-100C)
o Glass with hairspray
o PVA glue
o Do Not use ABS “Juice”
BendLay • NO Layer Cooling fans
• Printing Tips/Tricks o 240C+ gives optimum layer adhesion
o Increase speeds 10-20% from ABS settings
o Single and double wall thickness with minimal infill gives best clarity
o Acetone causes filament to “crumble”. Brakleen (or other similar
automotive brake cleaner) is solvent
PETT (T-glase) • PET copolymer (polyethylene terephthalate, aka polyester)
• Extrusion Temp: 207-235C
• Strengths o Clear, “optically correct”
o Low warp
o Excellent strength
o Food-safe
• Weaknesses o Expensive
o Low glass transition temp
PETT • Weaknesses (cont.)
o Requires slower print speeds
• Bed Adhesion o Heated glass (50-60C)
o Garolite
PETT • Printing Tips/Tricks
o Larger nozzles, >.5mm, give greater layer adhesion and
better clarity
o Increase layer height and decrease print speed. Vertical
resolution is still good at .3mm+ layer heights
o Increase retraction to avoid stringing
o Flame (quickly!) polish to remove “hairs”