About 3D Printing Filaments
ABS and PLA filaments are the two most popular kinds of 3D printing filaments.
ABS Filament
ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) is a widely used oil-based 3D printing plastic. It is a strong material that can be used to create tough and sturdy plastic printouts for everyday use; an example is the popular Lego building blocks which use ABS plastics in their construction. ABS filaments are great for ensuring durability and have high tensile strength, which results in high impact resistance.
PLA Filament
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a biodegradable plastic, made using cornstarch or sugar cane. It is a renewable raw material which is much more ecologically friendly and safer than ABS plastics. PLA plastics are more flexible as they do not require as high temperatures to manipulate the material; therefore a heat bed is not required (compared to ABS). PLA printouts are more aesthetically pleasing as they are smooth and glossy. Along with using odourless bio-friendly and nontoxic plant-based materials, PLA filaments use less energy when 3D printing.
Nylon Filament
Polyamide (PA) Nylon is a very strong and durable 3D printing material. With high inter-layer adhesion, nylon is flexible when thin. Nylon filament is transparent on the reel and prints as white, however, it can absorb colours post-processing, such as common acid-based clothing dyes. Nylon filament must be stored correctly as it is highly sensitive to moisture. Using desiccants, a vacuum, or elevated temperatures are recommended for the best storage results. Nylon filament has good abrasion resistance, high tensile strength, and produces smooth results.
FAQs
Which filaments are compatible with my 3D printer?
3D printer spools adhere to a set of industry standards for size. Ink Station’s spools are designed to fit 3D printers that use a standard spool size. A larger spool means you don’t need to change the spool as often.
What size thickness 3D printer filament do I need?
Most 3D printers use 1.75mm printer filament as a standard and it is the most commonly used.
How much filament does a 3D printer use?
This depends on the weight of your finished print, including any supporting structures. You can divide your total filament weight (1kg) by the weight of your item to find out how many copies you can make.
How long is 1kg filament?
A 1kg reel of 3D printing filament is typically about 330m long (~1080 feet).
What are the different 3D printer filament types?