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The most used 3D printer filaments

Few can argue with the revolution brought about by the advent of the 3D printer. These devices facilitate the creation of all kinds of objects using filaments made of all kinds of materials to give life to digital models that are inserted into the printer and used as a reference.

Know the different types of 3D filaments

When using one of these 3D printers, special filaments must be used, the raw material that these devices use to make possible the different designs and models that are requested. Although it is true that the vast majority of these filaments are made from plastic, we also find them made with other elements.

Surely you could not help but wonder the following: How many types of 3D Printer Filaments exist? We are going to explain the different types of filaments that you can use with your 3D printer, listing their different characteristics so that you can determine which one is best for you for the type of use you are going to give them.

3D printer

PLA filaments

In the first place we find the PLA filament, an acronym for polylactic acid that makes up the filament with the greatest ease of printing on the entire market. It is the most affordable filament you can buy, and it is made up of biodegradable plastics obtained from corn, cassava or cassava starch, although it is also made from sugar cane. The peculiar nature of this material means that the gases released during the printing process are not toxic, thus being able to be used for 3D printing even in poorly ventilated places.

It should be noted, however, that once it has been used to craft items, they can be somewhat brittle and brittle. The PLA filament print bed is between 50 and 70 degrees, printing at temperatures between 190 and 220 ºC.

PETG filaments

The next 3D filament that we are going to talk about is PETG, a filament quite similar to PET that is used in both food and beverage containers and is capable of resisting corrosion, impacts, and high temperatures. It also stands out for its impermeability and reduced moisture absorption, which makes this filament one of the best for the observation of food products.

However, it should be noted that this material, unlike the one previously described, is not biodegradable. From 70ºC it becomes weak, its hot bed is between 40 and 70ºC and the extrusion temperature is in the range of 220 and 250ºC.

ABS filament

ABS is another type of filament for 3D printers whose name comes from acrylonitrile butadiene, a plastic material used in toys such as Legos, for example. It is characterized by its high resistance, as well as by not being toxic and by preserving its color well.

Also note the malleability it offers when melted, beginning to show some flexibility from 220ºC. Once this temperature is reached, ABS becomes softer and more flexible when heated, then quickly hardens when cooled.

PVA filaments

Another material that is quite frequented by users of 3D printers is polyvinyl alcohol, used mainly for the manufacture of supports with which to maintain 3D prints in their position. This synthetic polymer is water soluble, and melts at 200ºC, releasing some nasty chemicals in the process.

The PVA is printed using a standard 3D printer extruder to form parts that can support other objects, and is also adhered to a heated glass print bed. When the printing process is finished, the newly made piece must be immersed in water to dissolve the PVA parts and thus leaving the rest of the print ready.

the nylon

The last material we are going to talk about is Nylon, originally created as a replacement for silk and which has proven to have great resistance to tensile stress. Note that it is not toxic, and that it can melt from 250ºC.

The use of these filaments in 3D printers is very recent, having become quite popular for its very hard and resistant prints. Given its use in other industries, it is an easy-to-find material that is resistant to other chemicals. In order to make use of nylon filaments, however, the extruder is required to reach very high temperatures that not all models can reach.

Added to this how difficult it can be for nylon to adhere to the printing base plate, we find a material that, although it is affordable, requires taking the previously mentioned peculiarities into account to be able to use it.

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