Questions tagged [material]
For questions about materials in general. For filament related questions, please use print-material tag
55
questions
24
votes
5
answers
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Advantages of PETG filament?
I was just shopping for filament, and saw some glowing claims about PETG being as easy to work with as PLA, but as strong as ABS, and less brittle. Anyone know if that's actually true, or what the ...
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22
votes
4
answers
3k
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Which are the food-safe materials and how do I recognize them?
What materials which are commonly used in 3D printing, are food-safe?
Are there any certifications/grading process for such materials, which can help me with my cross-checking and selection?
I have ...
- 518
21
votes
5
answers
61k
views
Which is more durable to sunlight/weather - PLA, ABS or PETG
The backstory: I'm installing a pigeon net in my home. Because of the shape of the opening I'm installing the net in and the material on the sides it's difficult to anchor the net using the normal ...
- 2,381
20
votes
4
answers
10k
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Would 3d-printed objects outgas in vacuum?
I want to fabricate a sample holder and shadow masks to use in vacuum chambers. The type of printing material is not important to me PLA/ABS/PC-ABS/nylon).
I'm worried that 3d printed objects (FDM) ...
- 323
17
votes
4
answers
369
views
Are there any metals that exhibit a large glass state?
Plastic is used in 3D FDM/FFF printing partly because it had a wide temperature range for its glass state - where it can be flowed with some force, but won't flow due only to gravity.
Most metals ...
- 1,803
16
votes
6
answers
13k
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3D printing for outdoor use: "What types of filament are most weather resistant?"
I'd like to print modifications for my bird feeder, both to patch over the hail damage from last summer and to try to deter the neighborhood squirrels. I have an FDM printer (and experience with ...
- 471
12
votes
4
answers
13k
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Is PLA filament conductive?
I am planing on printing something that will make contact with PCB boards. The print will be most likely to be in PLA. I don't want to fry the PCB board so I want to know if 3D printed PLA objects are ...
- 223
12
votes
2
answers
1k
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Reducing amount of material
Just started doing some design. First project was a replacement handle for my angle grinder, so basically a hollow cylinder. I want to reduce the amount of material used in the print. I could sit here ...
- 223
8
votes
2
answers
489
views
Affordable 3D printing of reflector
Are there any 3D printing services or something similar to 3D print or injection mold light reflectors?
I'm trying to find something that is similar to PCB printing that allows you to upload a 3D ...
- 183
7
votes
3
answers
839
views
3D printing enclosure with LED indication symbols -- is this possible?
I am looking to print an enclosure, which will have a PCB inside with some LED indicators. I was wondering if it is possible to 3D print the enclosure such that the following look can be achieved? ...
- 171
7
votes
2
answers
108
views
stable FDM materials
What materials, available as filaments for use in FDM printing, are known to be the most physically and chemically inert? In particular, stability (not necessarily simultaneously) in the presence of ...
- 201
7
votes
2
answers
880
views
Filament material for chemical application
I am doing laboratory experiments and need to print some components.
I am working with different aqueous (water) solutions containing sulphuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and hydrogen ...
7
votes
1
answer
873
views
Bonding PETG to glass
I'm thinking of trying my hand at fabricating microfluidic devices. I'll be using a filament based on PETG (Zortrax's Z-glass filament, which is translucent and resistant to acids and bases). For my ...
- 1,489
7
votes
3
answers
554
views
Simulation tool software for 4D Printing
In 4D printing technology or by means usage of Shape-memory alloy (non-metal, iron based, copper based or NiTi material) for 3D printing.
Is there any software simulation tool which I can use to ...
- 71
6
votes
2
answers
752
views
How can I print gears using very high resolution material like nylon
I'm trying to gear down a servo even further. I notice that the majority of the gears are made of nylon, and I want to create new gears that come close to the resolution and strength of the existing ...
- 161
5
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Can 3D printers print details in the 1/10 of the micrometer for metals?
I'm starting to get familiar with 3D printers. I wish to know if printing details the size of 10-7 m (3.9*10-6 in) is possible these days with metals or any other material.
If anyone has ...
- 51
5
votes
4
answers
445
views
3D printing and coating of heat-resistant objects, such as a turbine blisks or blades
Is it possible to 3D print an axial turbine 2 - 4 inches (50 - 100 mm) in radius, capable withstanding temperatures about 800 - 1000°C and rotation speeds of 100 - 120 x 103 rpm?
How expensive is ...
- 163
5
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Which material "creeps" (plastic deformation) the least (or nothing at all) under pressure after being printed?
I would like to build a standing shelf where the supports which hold each successive plank are 3D printed (to obtain special shapes).
However, I read that PLA flows under constant stress/pressure. ...
- 3,806
4
votes
5
answers
1k
views
3D printing a boat hull
I am wondering if it would it be feasible (at an affordable price) to 3D print a boat hull (small dimensions, maybe something like 60x40x20 cm).
I am mostly concerned about:
durability (against ...
- 141
4
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How to reuse modelling bases for the Stratasys uPrint SE Plus?
It's criminal how wasteful the Stratsys uPrint SE Plus is with it's 'one use' modelling bases. Is there a reliable way to re purpose them? I have tried ethanol and acetone, but not had any luck.
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4
votes
2
answers
618
views
How to print TPU material with 3D printer
Is there anything special for printing TPU material e.g extruder or temperature?
It's my first time printing TPU material, so if you have any photos, it would be great if you can share them.
- 193
4
votes
3
answers
482
views
Material for printing orthotics
I noticed foot arches are already digitized, but custom arch supports are usually expensive. PLA and ABS aren't the best material for printing arch supports, especially if they replace the shoe's ...
- 2,080
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Damage to bed surface from heat or chemical or..?
The original bed surface of my Ender 3 has become brittle and finally cracked, requiring replacement. I'm trying to figure out what the cause might have been to avoid it happening again. It seems to ...
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Best material for compression?
I'm designing a mount for a cylindrical speaker to attach to my bicycle. It will mount on the bottle cages. I've printed a few iterations with various infill settings (using PLA) and the weak point is ...
- 41
3
votes
3
answers
257
views
Which common 3D printing materials/methods will suitably replicate (w.r.t. durability) this injection molded Polypropylene item?
Note: Before any negative flagging, we asked permission on Meta prior to posting & got a YES: Could this Printing Material Recommendation Question be or shaped to be valid on 3D SE?
Which common ...
- 131
3
votes
3
answers
4k
views
PLA chemical resistances? Especially HCl, other acids
I'm interested in 3d printed reaction chambers, but can't find any good information on chemical resistances of PLA, just vague claims that it "might not be" "because it's biodegradable" or that it ...
3
votes
4
answers
304
views
Can PLA be reshaped after printing if it is heated?
I want to make an anime-style figurine in Blender with long strands of wavy hair coming down from pigtails, similar to sailor moon, but more so.
They are going to be extremely challenging to print in ...
- 1,124
3
votes
1
answer
232
views
What filaments allow air to pass but not water vapor?
In some situations it useful to have a material in which air passes but water, and water vapor, does not. Printing cell membranes or cases for something that must be immune to humidity changes (like ...
- 1,580
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
3D printing a cardboard box
Is there an FDM 3D printing material that looks similar to a cardboard box? I guess, and understand, it would not be possible to 3D print a cardboard box but would there be something similar?
- 173
3
votes
2
answers
778
views
Good alternative to HDPE for FDM
A while back, I had worked on building a Yostwerks Sea Cruiser. Now I'm thinking of trying to create a 3D printable (or 3D millable) version of the plans.
The original design uses cross-sections cut ...
- 673
3
votes
2
answers
215
views
Filament Cost vs. Quality?
I'm a 3D printing newbie, and I bought some Hatchbox PLA to start with since it is recommended by the community it seems.
Is there really a steep quality drop off if you go for brands that are 50% ...
- 173
3
votes
1
answer
56
views
How to interpret various thermal-related filament properties?
When picking filament for specialty, high temperature applications, multiple parameters are provided, but it is not clear to me when which to use.
The most common parameters provided are:
Vicat ...
- 3,806
3
votes
0
answers
72
views
What brand of 3D printing materials is the most famous/popular? [closed]
I am new to 3D printing and have read there is a fair bit of knowledge required to use the right product for printing.
In search for a good quality brand to start with, what is the most used ...
- 175
3
votes
2
answers
212
views
How does this multiple-curve-beam flexural pivot work?
I found this in Handbook of Compliant Mechanisms (2013), page 162, or at the start of "Chapter 11, Elements of Mechanisms," subsection 11.1.2 Revolute
I don't understand how it's supposed to ...
- 265
2
votes
2
answers
69
views
Material for printing flowerpots
I want to print a flowerpots, for advanced watering system.
Plants are going to be eaten.
What is the most suitable material, when we consider the fact, that we do not want to just make forms and do ...
- 41
2
votes
1
answer
54
views
How should I finish a food safe print?
I'd like to print a mouse shell from food safe PLA.
I need it to be food safe, because sweat can dissolve any harmful chemical from it just like foods. I am not sure about how to finish it after ...
- 153
2
votes
1
answer
61
views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Eryone's 15% metal PLA compared to other PLA?
I am thinking of using it for a project or two but am still somewhat new to this.
So, I was wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages of Eryone's 15% metal PLA and X% metal PLA in general?
- 255
2
votes
1
answer
231
views
PLA for Dactyl Manuform print | Which material for printing the shell
I bought PLA Wood for my planned Dactyl Manuform. But now the question is whether this will melt or deform in the sun.
I live in Germany, where we reach some days at times 32 °C. However, the keyboard ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
53
views
Conductive materials quality
I was considering the possibility to 3D print some capacitors with various forms and shapes in order to test them. I need to be able to print both the non-conductive and the conductive materials at ...
- 21
2
votes
0
answers
37
views
Over-extruding on small layer heights (0.06 mm), but fine above 0.15 mm?
I re-assembled an i3 that used to be on a production line. It works OK when the layer height is set to 0.15 mm, but it over extrudes “A LOT” when used with a layer height like 0.06 mm.
At first I ...
- 121
2
votes
3
answers
86
views
Insulating bed material?
I've observed printing PETG that the primary if not the only reason for using a high bed temperature seems to be preventing the bed from acting as a huge heat sink and rapidly cooling the initial ...
2
votes
0
answers
220
views
Plastic most closely mimicking Ultem in Autodesk Inventor
I'm trying to run a stress analysis on an assembly of parts that will be printed in Ultem 9085 (on a Fortus 400MC). I am trying to find a plastic that most closely mimics the material properties of ...
- 136
1
vote
3
answers
193
views
Inexpensive 3D printer for medical applications
We need a 3D printer, that can print with plastic suitable for medical applications. We have about $5000 for the printer. What printers can we choose? I am not a specialist in 3D printing, so please ...
- 143
1
vote
1
answer
87
views
Paper as build surface - how will that work?
I have a Creality Ender 3 that needs a build surface (both the build-tak sticker and the removable stiff backer). My dad has been pestering me to try using paper as a disposable surface. I am hesitant ...
- 170
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Which are the strongest and most durable materials? [closed]
I am working on a robotics project and need to print some gears. These will probably by under a LOT of pressure. Which material/filament should I choose so that the gears don't wear off easily?
PS: ...
- 137
1
vote
1
answer
75
views
Looking for 3D filament thats compatiable with HHO-oxyhydrogen and NaOH sodium hydroxide -lye
I'm testing a HHO generator (oxyhydrogen - browns gas generator) and I use 1% NaOH solution (sodium hydroxide -lye). I made some M8 threaded adapters for it using PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate ...
- 147
1
vote
1
answer
96
views
Alternative 3d molding techniques at home [closed]
i have seen formbox http://golem13.fr/formbox/ and it uses heat and many materials like PVC. Is there any way to do this with paper or paper derivatives(like egg carton)? If the answer is yes, how can ...
- 113
1
vote
1
answer
44
views
3D printing ESD safe/high temp parts
I am trying to develop a process to print fixtures/jigs that can withstand a convection oven temperature of 165 °C. The tricky thing is that these parts have to be considered ESD safe (surface ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
74
views
PLA infill/perimeter-layer to mimic real bone hardness
I friend of mine is in need to have human bone printed for educational purpose. Of what I understood they will use it for practicing drilling in it and thus need the printed bone to mimic a real bone. ...
- 93
1
vote
2
answers
156
views
Attach handle on a loose screw
The handle of a micro wave oven broke.
I can't just order a replacement part because I can't even attach the new one.
The problem is that the screw heads are somewhere on the interior side of the ...
- 265