3D Printer Filament: What you need to Know
3D printers are one of the most remarkable inventions of our time, and the cherry on top is that as an owner you have unlocked a door to actualizing all your designs. But just like any other functional machine, 3D printers need materials to help them run smoothly, and those materials are what we call 3D filaments.
What is a 3D filament? It is a type of printing material utilized by FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printers. It is currently one of the most widely used 3D printing material types worldwide. Hundreds of meters of continuous thin plastic thread are spooled into a reel for storage and printer feeding in 3D filaments. But before we list the best 3D filaments, it's important to have a look at the best 3D Printing software.
Best 3D Printing Software
There are a lot of 3D printing software available and one of the best is SelfCAD. SelfCAD stands out as a leading 3D printing software due to its user-friendly interface, extensive learning resources, and also it's an all in one program. This means that you can prepare your 3D models and even slice them all under one program without the need for an additional software. Its ease of use makes it useful to both beginners and experienced users, making it easier to get started and you don't need to take a lot of time in the learning process. It comes with all the tools that you need to create your 3D models. That is, you can find freehand drawing and sketching, powerful 3D sculpting brushes, and many other modification tools to modify your designs based on your needs. You can also import STL files or any other file format to SelfCAD and modify it based on your needs. The video below shows how you can simplify an STL file in SelfCAD.
In addition to the tools for 3D modeling, the software also has an in-built online slicer that you can use to prepare your 3D models for 3D printing, as shown in the video below.
The availability of comprehensive learning materials, such as interactive tutorials, SelfCAD academy, 3D modeling tutorials for beginners, as well as 3D modeling 101 series are helpful in the learning process. The software also is affordable and there is a free version that you can use to test the software and upgrade to the premium version if you like it.
1. PLA (Polylactic Acid)
Baskets made from PLA filament Image Source: 3dwithus
One of the two most widely used desktop 3D printing materials is PLA (Polylactic Acid). PLA is the "default" suggested material for many desktop 3D printers. The reason is that it's suitable for a wide range of printing applications, is odorless fibers and low-warp, and doesn't require a heated bed.
Features: PLA filament is one of the most environmentally friendly 3D printer materials on the market. It is manufactured from yearly renewable resources and takes less energy to process than traditional plastics.
In addition, PLA is a versatile printing material preferred by beginners in 3D printing because it is odorless, low-warp, and doesn't require a heated bed. Another enticing feature of PLA is that it comes in an almost infinite variety of colors, fibers, and styles.
Properties: PLA filament is a 3D printing material that is rigid but fragile. They are ideally used for cosmetic prints, prototypes, desk toys, and other low-stress applications.
2. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Blue MH ABS filament Image source: Matterhacks
Another popular 3D printing material is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). It's best for producing challenging pieces that can resist high temperatures. Because of its low weight and durability, ABS filament is a popular choice for 3D printing. In addition, it can be injection molded; it’s ideal for 3D printing extruders.
Features: ABS filament tends to curl upwards from the surface; it must be produced on a heated bed. This is because deformation is reduced by using a heated construction platform and a smooth flat surface. It also has a high glass transition temperature to prevent distortion, yet it's low enough that 3D printers can safely print it.
ABS is best used to print interlocking pieces such as gears, parts exposed to UV and heat such as a vehicle cup holder, and for prototyping.
3. NylonX 3D Printer Filament
Skateboard Image source: 3dsourced
NylonX is a greatly reinforced nylon filament for 3D printing. NylonX is strengthened with micro-carbon fibers to provide a robust filament capable of printing stiff, impact-resistant, and high-tensile-strength components.
Features: NylonX filament is an engineering-grade filament that combines the durability of Nylon with the rigidity of carbon fiber, making it ideal for home 3D printing.
The cool thing about NylonX is that the carbon fiber significantly increases stability and stiffness, reducing the likelihood of components warping as compared to standard nylon.
NylonX avoids post-print processing thanks to its distinctive matte black finish. Finished prints may be transported straight to production with no sanding, polishing, scraping, or unpleasant acetone vapor baths.
4. PET (PETG, PETT) Polyethylene Terephthalate
Garden hose connection nobs Image source: Zmorph SA
PETG 3D filament characteristics, in a nutshell, are PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material with additional glycol (the G in PETG), which results in a smooth, transparent, easy-to-use, and less brittle material that is excellent for additive printing.
Features: It combines the simplicity of usage of PLA filament with the strength and durability of ABS filament, to use a metaphor.
It has a significantly higher strength than PLA and is FDA authorized for containers and equipment use. Most importantly, it rarely warps and has no smells or fumes when printed, unlike ABS filament.
PET filament is not biodegradable. However, it's recognized for its clarity and ability to bridge gaps. Mechanical components and snap-fit enclosures are the best candidates for this filament.
5. TPE
Elastic bands Image source: simplify3d
TPE (thermoplastic elastomers) filament is a flexible 3D printing material that resembles flexible rubber in both feel and behavior. Stoppers, belts, springs, phone covers, and other items that may bend or must flex to match their surroundings can all be made with TPE filament.
Features: When printing with TPE, the greatest results are obtained by printing at a steady and consistent speed. Because TPE has high elasticity, any rapid changes in the print speed might result in a loss of control.
6. LAYBRICK
Church with steeple Image source: Airwolf 3D
LAYBRICK is a 3D printing material that simulates gray stone while maintaining the resilience of plastic, making it suitable for landscape and architectural projects. LAYBRICK is designed to be utilized with large-format 3D printers for large-scale applications like architectural modeling and landscaping.
Features: LAYBRICK filament has a stone or sandstone texture and is firm but fragile when printed. Depending on the temperature of your extruder, you might obtain different textures on your prints.
7. WOOD-FILLED
Wood Vae Image source: 3D printer improvement
Wood filament starts with PLA as a base and then incorporates additional materials such as wood dust, cork, and other powdered wood derivatives. PLA provides compatibility and simplicity for 3D printers while also contributing to the filament's appearance, feel, and characteristics.
Features: Wood filaments are known to be the simplest to deal with among composite filaments. They're less abrasive, a little lighter, and don't bend or shrink nearly as much as other materials.
Similarly, they have a delightful scent, and the 3D designs tend to have a smooth, easy finish.
8. Magnetic Iron PLA
Magnetic iron ornaments Image source: Project 3D Printers
The magnetic iron PLA filament is an extraordinary material and phenomenon in the 3D printing world. This Iron filament is magnetic due to the iron particles mixed with the PLA filament. Magnets will attach to the filament, even if it isn't a magnet. The magnetic iron PLA 3D printer filament has a gritty and gunmetal appearance. It's made of PLA or ABS with powdered iron as the foundation.
Features: Magnetic Iron filament prints are like PLA but takes longer and produces hefty solid prints. Magnetic filaments are mostly used for providing different printing scenarios when it comes to the 3D printing experience.
The prints have excellent stiffness and can easily tolerate small overhang characteristics and changes. One of the coolest things about magnetic iron filament is that
depending on the printing temperature, magnetic filament prints can have a matte or glossy appearance.
9. Layceramic
Clay-base filaments ceramics Image source: 3ders
Just like the name suggests, Layceramic is clay designed and engineered for 3D printers and capable of producing ceramic ornaments and designs. LayCeramic possesses the same properties as regular clay, including the ability to be burned for a lovely glossy finish and increased strength.
Features: Layceramic filament is quite expensive and brittle. In addition, one must own a kilt to apply a glaze and produce a ceramic texture.
Layceramic filament is best used for mugs, model roofing tiles, ashtrays, sculptures, or pottery.
10. HIPS (High Impact Polystrene)
Intertwining cubes Image source: All3colorsDP
HIPS is an acronym for High Impact Polystyrene. Polystyrene and polybutadiene are combined in this graft copolymer. The outcome is a low-cost plastic that combines the key advantages of both compounds: polystyrene's stiffness and durability with polybutadiene's flexibility and impact absorption.
To paint a clear picture, HIPS is similar to ABS. The primary distinction is that HIPS plastic can be dissolved using Limonene as a solvent, making it an excellent support material for dual extrusion printers producing ABS.
Feature: HIPS filament is a rigid support material that is incredibly useful when printing detailed models with multiple overhangs.
Conclusion
The world of 3D printing is fantastic, and what 3D filament fibers have provided are endless possibilities to let our imagination run wild.
You can now make a design using a filament of your choice. So what are you waiting for? Follow our easy step-by-step interactive tutorial and start creating.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
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Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.