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What Materials can be Used in 3D Printing?

The materials used in 3D printing are as diverse as the products produced by the process. In this way, 3D printing is flexible enough to allow the makers to determine the shape, texture, and strength of the print product.

Most importantly, these qualities can be achieved with far fewer steps than are usually required in traditional production methods. What's more, these products can be made with a variety of 3d printing material

So when it comes to 3D printing, the only restrictive condition is what materials you can use. At the same time, researchers in this area are always studying and discovering new materials that can be used for 3D printing.

 The following main types of materials are used in consumer 3D printing. The most common is plastic, which can be industrial level (such as PEEK filament) or very easy to use and economic-friendly(such as PLA filament).

Resin is another common material, and it is used with SLA printers. Composite materials are another category, as the name suggests, they are created by combining two materials to obtain the best performance of each material.

In this blog, we will mainly talk about the materials used for FDM 3D printing materials, as this is also what Kywoo team is focusing on currently.

Of all the materials used for 3D printing today, plastic is the most common one. Plastic is one of the most widely used materials in 3D printed toys and household appliances.

Products made with this technology include desk utensils, vases and cartoon characters. There are plastic 3d filaments that of transparent color and bright colors, such as red, green, and orange.

With its firmness, flexibility, smoothness and multiple color choices, it is easy to understand why plastic filaments are so attractive and popular. And the price is moderate, whether it is a maker or ordinary 3D printer users can relatively afford it.

Plastic printing products are usually manufactured using FDM 3d printers, in which thermoplastic filaments are melted layer by layer and formed into a certain shape. The type of plastic used in this process is usually made of one of the following materials:

PLA Filament

Polyamic acid is one of the most environmentally friendly consumables for 3D printers. It comes from natural products such as sugar cane and corn starch, so it is biodegradable. Available in soft and hard forms, PLA is expected to dominate the 3D printing industry in the next few years. Hard PLA is a stronger material, so it is an ideal material for a wider range of products.

This is a material that is easy to 3D print and has become the material of choice for most users due to its ease of use, dimensional accuracy, and low cost.  PLA Filament have a variety of colors to choose from, and there are also a variety of composite materials, for example, which can give it a wood or metal-like appearance.

PETG Filament

PET and PETG filaments are known for their easy printing, smooth surface finish, and water resistance. PETG is a variant of PET that has been combined with ethylene glycol to achieve many desirable effects of 3D printing, such as high transparency.

In addition, PETG filament can be printed at a lower temperature, and at the same time, their flow rate can be increased (up to 100 mm/s), so that printing can be faster. PETG components are also weather-resistant, so they are often used in gardening appliances.

ABS Filament

ABS is valued for its strength and safety, and is a popular choice for desktop 3D printers. It is affordable, durable, and lightweight. ABS is available in a variety of colors and can be used for anything from architectural models and conceptual models to DIY projects and manufacturing.

If you are concerned about the toxicity of ABS smoke, you can alternatively use PLA. Since ABS is 3D printed at a temperature of 220°C to 250°C, it is recommended to use a heated printing bed and enclosed internal space to control the cooling of this material and prevent warping.

When printing ABS filaments, Kywoo enclosure is one of the appropriate choices. In addition, 3D printing materials such as ABS filaments will degrade due to moisture in the surrounding air, so please store them in a vacuum bag or container.

Nylon Filament

Nylon appreciates a high standing in models because of its amazing mechanical properties. It is a rough and semi-adaptable material that has high impact and abrasion resistance. Similarly, as nylon has gotten the material of decision in conventional assembling, it has likewise gotten a mainstream material for 3D printers. It is ideal for printing durable parts.

The surface of nylon printing is rough, can be cleaned easily, with some adaptability, synthetic opposition, and above all, solid.

TPU Filament

Flexible filaments are usually alluded to as TPE or TPU and are known for their flexibility, permitting the material to stretch and twist casually. TPU or thermoplastic polyurethane is an elastic-like material utilized in 3D printing to create semi-flexible parts.

Check this video to see Kywoo Tycoon printer printing flexible filaments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwaMJqgwyzA

Wood Filament

Wood filaments consolidate a PLA base material with cork, wood dust, or different ramifications, giving the models a genuine wooden look and feel.

PVA 

PVA for entry-level home printers is a plastic suitable for dissolving various supporting materials. Although other supporting materials require special chemicals to dissolve, PVA is soluble in water. That makes this material very frequently mentioned with independent dual extruder 3D printers. Kywoo IDEX 3d printer can print PVA material support in complex printings.

 Besides what we’ve mentioned above, there are more and more new materials coming out from the researchers in 3D printing industry. 3D printing itself is such a hobby that makes people become more addicted to it the more they dig into, and keep pursuing. We hope that more and more Kywoo users will accompany us on this road.

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