A Guide to 3D Printer Filament Types and Their Uses

3D printing is a process that involves the use of a machine to make three-dimensional solid objects from digital files. The 3D printer is able to create objects with complex shapes by adding layer upon layer of material.

3D printing can be used for many purposes, including rapid prototyping, product manufacturing, art and architecture. It also has applications in education and research.

There are many different types of 3D printers available on the market today. You can choose from desktop or large industrial machines depending on your needs.

Filament extrusion is the most common method used by 3D printers to create objects. This type of 3D printing involves melting plastic pellets into a long strand (or filament) which is then fed through an extruder nozzle onto a build plate where it cools down and hardens into its final form.

There are many types of 3D printer filament, each with its own set of characteristics and applications. The following is a comprehensive guide to the most common types of 3D printer filament.

PLA Filament

PLA is a biodegradable plastic that has been popular since it first came out in 2010. It has a low melting point, so it's easier to use than ABS. The main downside is that it doesn't have great impact strength, which means parts can break easily if they are dropped or hit.

PLA also tends to shrink when it cools down, so you need to be careful what temperature you print at with PLA. If you print too hot (250°C or more), parts will warp as they cool down because they're shrinking more than they can expand due to heat lost during the printing process.

You'll generally find that PLA tends toward colors like white, blue, red and yellow — but there are also other colors available if those aren't your style.

There are many different types of 3D printer filaments available on the market today. Each type has its own unique characteristics and applications, so it's important to understand how they work and how they can benefit your project.

There are several different types of filament materials that can be used in 3D printers. Each material has its own unique characteristics, such as color, flexibility and strength. The filament type that you choose for your project will depend on the desired outcome, as well as the printer that you're using.

ABS - A tough plastic used in many consumer products because of its ability to withstand high temperatures without warping or melting. You'll find this type of filament used in household appliances like microwaves and vacuum cleaners because they need to be able to withstand heat.

Fillers - Fillers are added to lower the cost of filament production while maintaining strength and durability. Fillers can also be added to increase strength and durability as well as reduce brittleness in certain materials that tend to be brittle when printed without fillers added. Fillers can also be added to make a material easier to print with (more flexible) or more abrasive resistant (like wearing down tools). Some fillers include glass beads, carbon fiber strands/fibers, metal particles/fibers.

Thermoplastics are generally stronger than thermosets because they have no internal voids or weak spots to break under stress. PLA is more susceptible to warping than ABS, but both types will warp if not stored properly at room temperature. Thermosets tend to be stronger than plastics, but they’re also more expensive and less flexible than thermoplastics when it comes to design and customization options.

1. Applications & Uses

3D printing is a process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. It involves the steps of modeling, printing and finishing. The most common materials used to make 3D printed objects are plastics, metals and ceramics.

2. Materials & Properties

The most commonly used materials for 3D printing are ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PLA (Polylactic Acid), Nylon and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). ABS is the most popular material used in FDM 3D printers because it is cheap, easy to print with and has good mechanical properties such as strength and rigidity. PLA is biodegradable, safe for human use and has a low melting point along with good thermal stability. Nylon comes in flexible or rigid varieties depending on the application requirements while PET offers high rigidity at low cost with excellent toughness properties.