Generally, nylon requires both a heated print bed and white glue to stick while printing. And it is harder to get it to stick to the print bed than with ABS or PLA. However, nylon does require high temperatures to print: 250 degrees C is hotter than many extruders can manage. It is cheap, because nylon is widely used in other industries, and it's not damaged by most common chemicals. Nylon's use as relatively a 3D printing material is relatively new, but the material is becoming popular because the prints it produces are very tough and resistant to damage. It melts at about 250 degrees C and is nontoxic. Nylon is a tough material that has a very high tensile strength, meaning that it can hold a lot of weight without breaking. What it is: The name nylon can be used for any one of a number of synthetic polymers originally created as replacements for silks. Prints made with 680, a nylon printer filament from Taulman Good for: printing complex models with PLA or ABSĬompatible with: Standard FDM printers with multiple extruders, such as the Ultimaker 3 Nylon Pros: Water soluble Good for supports Fairly easy to printĬons: Can release toxic vapors if overheated Expensive Requires appropriate disposal Check with your local water company for the recommended disposal method. If you do use water to dissolve PVA, you'll need to properly dispose of it, as the sticky residue can clog drains. ![]() This makes it easier to print complex models that require supports, or even models that include moving parts. Once the printing is complete, you immerse it in water, and the PVA parts will dissolve, leaving the rest of the insoluble print behind. It can be used in a standard 3D printer extruder to form parts that support other objects, and it sticks to a heated, glass print bed well. It melts at about 200 degrees C, and can release some nasty chemicals if heated to higher temperatures. A synthetic polymer, PVA is water soluble. What is it: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is one of a new class of 3D printing materials that are used to make supports that hold 3D prints in place. PVAĪ print made with ABS print material and PVA supports with the Ultimaker 3 Good for: General printing, painted miniatures.Ĭompatible with: All FDM 3D printers, including XYZ da Vinci Mini and LulzBot Mini. Pros: Easier to print with than ABS BiodegradableĬons: Prints degrade over time Rougher texture than ABS However, chemicals can be added that make it less brittle and more heat-tolerant, creating what some manufacturers call tough PLA. That said, PLA is not food safe and somewhat brittle, making prints prone to shattering under stress. It's only when buried that it breaks down. It will last a long time in normal conditions, though. The material is also biodegradable like other corn- or sugar-based materials, it is slowly consumed by many common bacteria. It will stick well to aprint base covered in white glue or blue painter's tape, which means that a heated print bed is not needed. PLA is generally the preferred option for low-cost 3D printers, because it is easier to print with than ABS, as it is stickier. There is a slight smell when it is heated, rather like microwave popcorn, but no toxic odors or vapor. PLA begins to deform at temperatures above 60 degrees C, and it is not water or chemical resistant. PLA is a tough, resilient material with a matte, opaque quality, but it is not as tolerant of heat as ABS is. ![]() It is similar to the material used in biodegradable plastic packaging and melts at between 180 and 200 degrees C, depending on other materials that are added for color and texture. What it is: Polylactic acid (PLA) is a polymer plastic, made from biological materials like cornstarch or sugarcane. ![]() ![]() Pros: Tough, impact-resistant material Nontoxic and water resistantĬons: High melting point Unpleasant fumes Not suitable for outdoor useĪ print made in the tough PLA offered by Makerbot Because ABS is broken down by UV radiation, it isn't suitable for long-term outdoor use, as it loses its color and becomes brittle. ABS does produce a slightly unpleasant smell when heated, and the vapor can contain some nasty chemicals, so you'll need good ventilation. A printer with a heated print bed is also usually needed as ABS will stick to a hot print bed.Īs anyone who has stepped on a Lego will tell you, ABS is tough. You do need a large heater to reach that 220 degrees C melting point, but ABS becomes soft and pliable when heated and then sets quickly. These properties make ABS very suitable for 3D printing. It's also easy to shape, but tough to break, as it melts and becomes pliable at about 220 degrees C (about 430 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s tough, nontoxic and retains color well. What it is: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is the same plastic used in Legos. A print made with ABS filament by the M3D Micro printer
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