What types of 3D printer filament are there?
3D printing was “born” in the mid-1980s. The process is also known as rapid prototyping or additive manufacturing and is a methodology with untold potential. Thanks to 3D printing technology, a wide variety of prototypes can be generated and design ideas can ultimately be tested in real life before they go into series production. But what about the basis of every 3D print? What types of 3D printer filament are there and how can they be quantified in comparison?
3D printer filament types: The basis is the filament!
The filament or the different 3D printer filament types play a major role 3D printing technology The filament is available today in a wide variety of designs. Thus, the basis of the 3D prototype can be adapted to its later area of application. The different 3D printer filament types on the market include: flexible filament, transparent filament, water-soluble filament or even food-safe filament.
In fact, choosing the right 3D printer filament type is a science in itself. This is due to the fact that when selecting suitable 3D printer filament types, a number of things have to be considered. Ultimately, costs also play a factor that should not be neglected. Then there is the question of what purpose the printed object will later serve and what material properties are required in this regard?
3D printer filament types - overview and comparison
There are therefore numerous considerations that influence the choice of 3D printer filament types.
PLA, for example, is considered inexpensive, biodegradable and suitable for beginners.
ABS, on the other hand, is also inexpensive, but is also considered to be stable and heat-resistant, while polyamide (PA), which is used for mechanical components, for example, is characterized by high strength and is also chemically resistant. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), on the other hand, is water-soluble among the 3D printer filament types and is suitable as a support material. The other 3D printer filament type polypropylene (PP) is characterized by an even higher chemical resistance than PA and is therefore interesting for many areas of application. Companies that offer such products should therefore also provide comprehensive information about the respective advantages and disadvantages of the 3D printer filament types, which of course we at Multec do.
Among other things, to name another example from the multitude of 3D printer filament types, we have the MULTEC® PLA-HT filament in our program. HT stands for high temperature and indicates that this basis for 3D prototypes also meets the highest requirements!
3D printer filament types: variety of possibilities
But where are the areas of application of 3D printers and the different prototypes that are produced from the various 3D printer filament types available on the market? Well, 3D printing and the 3D printer filament types have long been used in equipment construction, in mold and model making, in the construction of prototypes and small series as well as in the production of spare parts. 3D printing has even found its way into the medical sector: Aids such as orthoses can already be shaped inexpensively and individually 3D printer
The future belongs to 3D printing and 3D printer filament types!
3D printing and the matching 3D printer filament types are among the most important future technologies and have unimagined potential. Suitable printers and specific 3D printer filament types have also long been indispensable in tool and model making.
Rapid technologies are already making the difference in lightweight construction or for master models. Even for home use, some types of printers and 3D printer filaments are already affordable today.
If you have any further questions about the different 3D printer filament types, please contact us at any time!
