For 3D printers, the variety of filaments and different materials can be bewildering; now you can even print multicoloured projects with different materials! Here, we explain the strengths and weaknesses of the main ones.
The list of materials available as 3D printing filaments is long, and consists mainly of cryptic shortcuts. Most of these materials are only suitable for very specific applications and are not processed by commercially available printers. Two materials are suitable for general use: PLA and ABS. In the PLA field, there are new developments that make 3D printing even more appealing than before.
Which material is best?
The material most commonly used in 3D printing at home is polylactide, or PLA for short. This plastic consists of lactic acid molecules, and is also used for sportswear and drinking straws because of its safety. Polylactides are derived from renewable resources such as sugar cane or starch. They soften quickly under heat, which is an advantage in the 3D printing process. However, this also means that PLA cups are only suitable for cold drinks.
On the other hand, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) is heat-resistant. This material is also popular as a filament in 3D printing, but can be used to produce much more stable prints. However, ABS also burns faster than PLA. When printing, ABS smells like burned plastic, whereas PLA is much less intrusive here.
When choosing a filament, it depends on the 3D printer used, as some models can only process PLA or ABS. But if the printer is able to handle both, PLA is usually preferable. Although not quite as stable, it is easier to process, produces less odour and is more environmentally friendly. PLA can be completely degraded in a composting plant, whereas ABS needs to be melted down and processed further. If you’re designing and printing items to withstand temperatures over 50°C, however, ABS must be used, as it remains usable from 85-100°C.
CPLA brings a splash of colour to 3D printing
Before now, coloured 3D prints were possible, but only by using a coloured filament. This meant that the finished object was mostly monochrome, and multicoloured prints were very expensive to produce. This has all changed with the introduction of the filament “Colour PLA” (CPLA for short), and the new “da Vinci Colour” 3D printer by XYZprinting. CPLA absorbs drops of ink and can therefore be printed in multiple colours. During 3D printing, da Vinci Colour inkjet printheads tint the resulting product layer by layer. The CPLA filament is more robust than conventional PLA.
Wood, cork, metal or stone: new materials in 3D printing
Until now, 3D-printed objects made from materials other than plastic were reserved for industry, where, for example, metal components are manufactured using laser beams. With a new type of filament, however, novel materials will now find their way into private 3D printing. Special filaments from FormFutura have properties that were previously unknown in 3D printing. FlexiFil, for example, returns to its original shape after being bent, while HDglass allows the printing of transparent but extremely strong objects. FlexiFil is based on the TPE filament, HDglass on PETG. So, before you buy, check whether the 3D printer can handle these materials.
A series of PLA filaments can even bring entirely new materials into 3D printing. StoneFil is gravimetrically filled with 50 percent powdered stone, and MetalFil with 80 percent copper or bronze. EasyWood and EasyCork introduce wood and cork respectively. These filaments look, feel and smell like the material added to them, opening up entirely new creative possibilities in 3D printing. Thanks to their PLA base, these filaments can be processed by most popular 3D printers.
Thick or thin? Which filament thickness is better?
Both PLA and ABS filaments are usually offered in two diameters; 1.75mm and 3mm, with the latter filament actually being 2.85mm thick. This is the case due to historical reasons; originally the diameter of the thicker filament was actually 3mm, but when it became thinner for ease of processing, the term was retained for the sake of simplicity.
When choosing the diameter, many 3D printers can only handle one thickness. For printers that can handle both, we recommend 1.75mm diameter filament. While these were still quite difficult to obtain a few years ago, they are gradually becoming the standard. They differ only slightly in price and weight, however because of their better flexibility, the thinner filaments are easier for the printer to handle.
