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3D printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing, is a rapid prototyping technology that builds three-dimensional objects by adding materials layer by layer. This technology brings new possibilities to manufacturing that are both efficient and precise. The core of3d printinglies in the selection and application of materials, sowhat materials are mainly used in 3D printing? This article aims to deeply explore the variousmaterials used inprinting shops, revealing the scientific principles, process characteristics and application examples in different fields behind them.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing, the full name of three-dimensional printing or additive manufacturing technology, is a technology that builds three-dimensional entities by accumulating materials layer by layer. Different from traditional subtractive manufacturing (such as cutting) or equal material manufacturing (such as casting, forging),3dprintingstarts directly from the digital model and uses precision equipment under computer control to stack materials into the required form. Shape and size. This process requires no molds or tools, greatly increasing design freedom and manufacturing flexibility.

What are the advantages of 3D printing?

Advantage	Description
Design flexibility	Complex geometries and internal structures can be printed to achieve designs that are difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods.
Rapid prototyping	Shorten the product development cycle and quickly generate physical models for testing and verification
Personalized customization	Personalized design and manufacturing according to customer needs to meet unique needs
Material diversity	A variety of materials (such as plastics, metals, ceramics, etc.) can be used for printing to adapt to different application scenarios.
Reduce waste	Use only what you need, reducing material waste and inventory costs
Cost effective	Cost-effective than traditional manufacturing methods in low-volume and complex part manufacturing

What Materials Can Be Used for 3D Printing?

1.Plastic material

1. PLA (polylactic acid): A biodegradable plastic derived from renewable plant resources such as corn starch. It is non-toxic and odorless and does not produce a pungent smell when printing, making it ideal for home use. PLA printed parts have a smooth surface and bright colors, but have a low melting point and poor high temperature resistance.
2. ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene): A common engineering plastic with good mechanical properties and chemical resistance. It has a higher melting point and can print parts with a certain degree of toughness and strength. However, ABS may produce a pungent odor during the printing process, so it needs to be used in a well-ventilated environment. PA (Polyamide): Also known as nylon, it is a high-strength, high-toughness material widely used in industrial fields. Parts printed from nylon materials have high strength and toughness, making them suitable for manufacturing parts that need to withstand high stress and wear. However, the price of nylon materials is relatively high, and high temperature and humidity control are also required during the printing process.
3. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane): a special soft material whose printed products have a certain degree of elasticity. TPU printing effect is excellent, the molding is smooth, no bubbles, the surface is smooth and delicate, and the color is accurate. In addition, TPU is an environmentally friendly product, non-toxic and has no irritating smell.
4. PETG (polyethylene terephthalate): a composite material that combines the advantages of PLA and ABS. Compared with ABS, PETG has higher toughness, is easy to print, and does not warp, smell, or bubble. The finished products printed by PETG are clear and transparent, so it has become one of the favorite 3D printing materials in the advertising letter industry.

2.Photosensitive resin

A polymer material that solidifies when exposed to light of a specific wavelength. It is usually used in SLA (stereolithography) or DLP (digital light processing) 3D printing technology. Parts printed with photosensitive resin have smooth surfaces and high precision, and are suitable for manufacturing parts that require high precision and surface quality. However, the price of photosensitive resin is relatively high, and the lighting conditions need to be strictly controlled during theprinting service.

3.Metal materials

such as titanium alloys, stainless steel, etc. These materials are usually used in SLM (selective laser melting) or SLS (selective laser sintering) technology and are suitable for manufacturing industrial parts and complex metal components. Parts printed from metal materials have metallic strength and conductivity, but metal 3D printing equipment is expensive, has slow printing speed, and requires special post-processing processes to improve the accuracy and surface quality of the parts.

4.Ceramic material

It has excellent high temperature resistance, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Ceramic 3D printing technology usually uses methods such as powder metallurgy or laser melting. Ceramic printing parts can be used in high temperature, high pressure and corrosive environments in aerospace, medical equipment and other fields. However, ceramic materials are relatively brittle, and parameters such as temperature and pressure need to be strictly controlled during the printing process.

How Are 3D Printing Materials Selected?

1.Choose according to strength

• Low strength requirements:For applications with lower strength requirements, such as artwork, decorations or models, PLA (polylactic acid) can be chosen.
• Moderate Strength Requirements:For items that require some strength and wear resistance, such as tools, furniture accessories, or models, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) is a material worth considering.
• High strength requirements:For applications that need to withstand greater pressure or high mechanical strength, such as mechanical parts, functional accessories or industrial molds, it is recommended to choose PETG (polyethylene terephthalate) or nylon (PA).

2.Choose according to flexibility

• General flexibility requirements:TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) are two 3D printing materials with excellent flexibility.
• High flexibility requirements:For flexible electronics that need to be folded and twisted frequently, materials that are highly flexible and can recover their shape over a long period of time are needed. At this time, rubber materials (such as styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber) and some specially formulated flexible plastics may be a better choice.

3.Choose based on temperature resistance

• Low temperature environment:For products that need to be used in low temperature environments, you can choose3D printing materialsthat can still maintain performance at low temperatures. For example, some specially formulated PLA or ABS can maintain stability in low temperature environments of tens of degrees below zero.
• High-temperature environment:For products that need to work in high-temperature environments, high-temperature-resistant 3D printing materials should be selected. For example, high-temperature nylon (such as nylon PA6, nylon PA11 or nylon PA12) has excellent high-temperature resistance properties and is suitable for manufacturing automobile engine parts, hot air flow sensors, etc.; high-temperature resistant resins (such as polyetherketone PEEK and polyimide PI) It can withstand temperatures up to hundreds of degrees and maintain stable physical and mechanical properties, so it is widely used in aerospace, aerospace engines and other fields; in addition, metal 3D printing materials (such as titanium alloys, aluminum alloys and nickel-based alloys) are also It has good high temperature resistance and is suitable for manufacturing parts in extreme high temperature environments.

4.Other

• Cost:The cost of different materials may vary and needs to be evaluated based on your budget.
• Availability:Ensure that selected materials are readily available so as not to impact production schedules.
• Environmental friendliness:Consider the environmental friendliness of the material, such as whether it is recyclable or biodegradable.
• Printing parameters:Different materials require different printing parameters, such as printing temperature, printing speed, etc. Before selecting a material, make sure your 3D printer can support the chosen material and that you have the correct parameter settings.

What Materials Are Best for Home 3D Printing?

When3d printing servicein a home environment, factors such as environmental friendliness, safety, ease of use, cost-effective selection, and print quality need to be considered when choosing materials. Here are some of the best materials for home 3D printing:

1.PLA

• Advantages:PLA is made from renewable materials such as corn starch, has good biodegradability, is environmentally friendly, and has no irritating smell, making it very suitable for home use. It has high strength and hardness, and the printed parts have a smooth surface and fine and loud details.
• Application:Suitable for printing various daily necessities, toys, decorations, etc.

2.ABS

• Advantages:ABS has excellent impact resistance and chemical resistance, making it suitable for manufacturing strong and durable parts. Its surface hardness is high and it is not easily deformed. It is worth noting that ABS may produce a pungent smell during the printing process, so you need to ensure that the room is well ventilated. In addition, ABS has a large shrinkage rate and is prone to warping and cracking, requiring certain printing skills.
• Application:Suitable for printing items that require certain strength, such as tools,3d printing models, etc.

3.PETG

• Advantages:PETG has good weather resistance and corrosion resistance, and is suitable for various indoor and outdoor applications. Its shrinkage rate is low, and the printed parts are relatively stable and not prone to warping.
• Application:Suitable for printing items that need to withstand certain environmental changes, such as outdoor decorations,3d  printing models.

4.TPU

• Advantages:TPU is an elastic material with extremely high elasticity and flexibility, suitable for making parts that require durability and softness.
• Application:Suitable for printing shoe soles, mobile phone cases, toys and other items that require softness and elasticity.

5.Photosensitive resin

• Advantages:Photosensitive resin materials are widely used because of their high smoothness and durability. Parts printed with this material can be subjected to post-processing processes such as grinding, polishing, painting, spraying, electroplating, and silk screen printing.
• Application:Suitable for printing items that require high precision and smooth surface, such as artwork, models, etc.

FAQs

1.Which of these materials is most commonly used in 3D printing?

In the field of3d printing services, one of the most commonly used materials is PLA (polylactic acid). PLA is widely popular among home users and beginners due to its environmental protection, flexibility and good printing effects. Additionally, ABS (acrylic styrene butylene styrene) is also a commonly used 3D printing material, especially in applications that require equal strength and durability. However, in terms of breadth and popularity, PLA is probably the most commonly used material for 3D printing.

2.What material is used for 3D models?

Space 3D printing uses a variety of materials to adapt to the special needs of the space environment. Common space 3D printing materials include: PEGDA liquid plastic: such as the material used by SpaceCAL, suitable for fast and complex printing tasks; continuous fiber reinforced composite materials: such as the 3D 3D printed material carried by China on the Long March 5B manned spacecraft test vessel The materials used by the printer can realize the integrated preparation and forming of composite materials; metal powder: such as the metal3d models printingused by Airbus on the International Space Station, which can print out metal parts; lunar soil: on celestial bodies such as the moon, You can use local resources such as lunar soil for 3D printing.

3.What materials are used for 3D models?

The3d printing modelitself does not directly involve material selection because 3D models are digital design files that can be created and edited on a computer. However, when 3D models are used for 3D printing, appropriate printing materials need to be selected. Common3D printing materialsinclude PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU and photosensitive resin. The selection of these materials depends on factors such as printing purpose, part performance requirements and cost.

4.What supplies are needed for 3D printing?

The consumables required for 3D printing mainly include: ①Plastic consumables: such as PLA, ABS, PETG, etc. These materials are suitable for most home and commercial 3D printers. ②Metal powder: used for metal 3D printing, which can print metal parts with high strength and durability. ③Photosensitive resin: Suitable for SLA (stereolithography) and DLP (digital light processing) and other types of 3D printers, capable of printing parts with high precision and smooth surfaces.

Summary

The selection of 3D printing materials is crucial to the development of 3D printing technology. Different materials have different physical properties and application fields. With the continuous advancement and popularization of 3D printing technology, the demand for 3D printing materials is also continuing to grow, especially in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, medical and other fields, there is a demand for 3D printing materials with high strength, high toughness, high temperature resistance and other properties. Especially vigorous. In the future, the 3D printing materials industry will continue to maintain rapid growth and is expected to occupy a larger share of the global market.

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Longsheng Team

This article was written by multiple Longsheng contributors. Longsheng is a leading resource in the manufacturing sector, withCNC machining,sheet metal fabrication,3D printing,injection molding,metal stamping, and more.