An overview of various 3D printing materials as presented by Lars Brubaker and Taylor Landry at the 2014 3D Printer World Expo.

1. 3D Printing Materials
http://www.3dppvd.org/

2. 3D Printing Materials

3. PLA
• Polylactic Acid
• Extrusion Temp: 190 – 230C
• Strengths
o
o
o
o
Low Odor
Low Warping
Glue-able (Super Glue)
Renewable
• Weaknesses
o
o
Less Ductile (Brittle)
Low glass transition temp (parts easily melt/deform in heat)

4. PLA
• Bed Adhesion
o
o
Blue (or Green) painter’s tape (heated or cold)
Heated glass (40-60C)
• Layer Cooling Fan(s) required
• Resistant to most solvents
• Common uses:
o
Food packaging, disposable tableware, heat shrink film

5. PLA
• Printing Tips/Tricks
o
o
o
Increase temp when printing at high speeds (230-240C)
When printing small parts, print 2 at a time
To avoid jams, keep retraction to minimum effective length
because of thermal creep

6. ABS
• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Extrusion Temp: 220 – 260C
• Strengths
o
o
o
Impact resistant
Easy post clean up
Easily sanded & painted
• Weaknesses
o
o
Warps
Smelly

7. ABS
• Bed Adhesion
o
o
o
o
Heated Bed is required with all methods. 80-110C
Kapton/PET film
ABS “Juice” – dissolved ABS in acetone
PVA/ Elmer’s glue stick
• NO layer cooling fans
• Heated chamber if possible

8. ABS
• Printing Tips/Tricks
o
o
o
Brims/Rafts can greatly improve flatness
Higher infill = more warping forces
Ambient temperature can dramatically affect results (avoid cold,
drafty rooms)
• Common Uses:
o
Legos, 2-Liter bottle caps, automotive trim

9. Nylon
• Many different polymers available
o
o
o
Taulman 618, 645
Nylon 6
Nylon 6/9
• Extrusion Temp: 240-270C
• Strengths
o
o
o
o
Excellent strength with flexibility
Excellent interlayer adhesion (250C min)
Resistant to most solvents
High glass transition temp – heat resistant parts

10. Nylon
• Weaknesses
o
o
o
Warp
High extrusion temp
Very hygroscopic – Saturated in 18-24 hours
• Bed Adhesion
o
o
o
Heated glass (60-70C) with PVA glue or
glue stick
Garolite sheets – no heat
Wood/Plywood

11. Nylon
• Printing tips/tricks
o
o
o
o
o
Dry nylon prints smoothly and has glossy finish. Wet nylon pops
and hisses, has matte finish and weaker interlayer adhesion
Dry filament in 170F oven for 4-6 hours
Layer adhesion directly related to layer height/width.
Use solder knife or heated blade to “glue” parts together.
Flame polish with propane torch to eliminate any strings and give
glossy finish
• Common Uses
o
Trimmer line, toothbrush bristles, guitar strings

12. Laywoo-d3
• PLA with actual wood fibers
• Print Temp: 180 – 230C
(changes color)
• Strengths
o
o
o
Good smell (cookies)
Looks like wood
Sandable / Carvable
• Weaknesses
o
o
Softer when printed
Super low viscosity – strings easily

13. Laywoo-d3
• Bed Adhesion
o
o
Blue painter’s tape
Heated glass (40-60C)
• Layer Cooling Fan(s) required
• Hardens over time (48-72 hours)

14. Laywoo-d3
• Printing Tips/Tricks
o
o
o
Use lowest possible extrusion temp to prevent stringing
Increase speed to prevent stringing/blobbing
Allow to cool before removing from bed

15. Soft PLA
• Polylactic Acid – but flexible!
• Print Temp: 210-235C
• Strengths
o
o
Low Warp
Flexible
• Weaknesses
o
o
Expensive
Not durable

16. BendLay
• Modified ABS – clear & flexible
• Extrusion Temp: 220-250C
• Strengths
o
o
o
o
Stronger layer adhesion than ABS
Flexible
Optically clear, no distortion when flexed
Lower viscosity than ABS allows for faster print speeds

17. BendLay
• Weaknesses
o
o
Expensive
Only flexible when thin (single-walled or <1.00mm wall thickness)
• Bed Adhesion
o
o
o
o
Heated bed (80-100C)
Glass with hairspray
PVA glue
Do Not use ABS “Juice”

18. BendLay
• NO Layer Cooling fans
• Printing Tips/Tricks
o
o
o
o
240C+ gives optimum layer adhesion
Increase speeds 10-20% from ABS settings
Single and double wall thickness with minimal infill gives best clarity
Acetone causes filament to “crumble”. Brakleen (or other similar
automotive brake cleaner) is solvent

19. PETT (T-glase)
• PET copolymer (polyethylene terephthalate, aka polyester)
• Extrusion Temp: 207-235C
• Strengths
o
o
o
o
Clear, “optically correct”
Low warp
Excellent strength
Food-safe
• Weaknesses
o
o
Expensive
Low glass transition temp

20. PETT
• Weaknesses (cont.)
o
Requires slower print speeds
• Bed Adhesion
o
o
Heated glass (50-60C)
Garolite

21. 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”