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Here are the Types of Filaments to Choose for 3D Printing

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MarkNtel Advisors
Here are the Types of Filaments to Choose for 3D Printing

The 3D printing filaments are thermoplastics that melt when heated and solidify when cooled. They can also be shaped & molded. The wide variety of these filaments have diverse applications and suffice different printing requirements. The most popular 3D Printing Filaments include the following:


  • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) & Polylactic Acid (PLA)
  • Nylon
  • High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) & Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)


Let's have a deeper look at the filaments cited above & their applications to have a better understanding of finding the most suitable ones for your 3D printing requirements:


Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) & Polylactic Acid (PLA)


ABS & PLA are the most common filaments used for 3D printing. These are available at affordable prices and are durable & non-toxic. When objects are printed, ABS require relatively high melting points than PLA. Moreover, PLA filaments are plant-based & biodegradable. These are harder than ABS filaments & highly efficient in printing. PLAs are used generally as base materials for composite & exotic materials. 


Nylon Filament


Nylon is one of the most versatile synthetic materials used extensively in making different products like toothbrushes, parachutes, tires, and, now, even 3D printer filament. Nylon is a polymer & belongs to the plastic family that makes it highly durable, strong, & flexible than other filaments. Owing to these properties, Nylon Filaments can be used to create tools, prototypes, or mechanical parts like gears, hinges, & buckles.


High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) & Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)


HIPS is a moderately priced filament that is lightweight, glued, sanded, and acrylic-painted. These are similar to ABS, except that the former is soluble in Limonene, i.e., a citrus-based solvent and an excellent choice to print with materials like ABS or PLA having a dual extruder printer as a support material that could dissolve after printing. On the other hand, PVA filament is another soluble filament that is non-toxic, odor-free, & biodegradable, and can conveniently dissolve in water.


Other Types of 3D Printing Filaments:


Cited above were some of the most durable, strong, & flexible types of filaments. Let’s have a look at some filaments based on composition, finish, & other special characteristics. 

  • Wood-Based Filament
  • Metal-Based Filament
  • Biodegradable Filament


Among these filaments, the Wood-based 3D printing filament includes a standard work variety like Birch, Pin, Ebony, and Cedar, among others.

Besides, Copper, Brass, Bronze, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and other commercially available Metal-based 3D printing filaments give an aesthetic look when polished after printing.


On the other hand, Biodegradable filaments for 3D printing belong to a unique category. If a print result is not up to your expectations, throwing it away can really affect the environment. However, with biodegradable filaments, these 3D prints seek to negate the environmental effect that most plastic has.


The Global 3D Printing Filament Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 25% during the forecast period, i.e., 2021-26, says MarkNtel Advisors.


Get more details about the market: https://www.marknteladvisors.com/query/request-sample/global-3d-printing-filament-market.html


Takeaway


With so many types of filaments used in 3D printing, it has become hassle-free to develop some stunning prints. Now that you are well aware of the different filament types, their properties, & applications, make sure to choose the most suitable one that suffices your 3D printing requirements.

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