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How To Choose Printing Filaments

12 April 2022

Perry Byrd

3D printer filaments are a suitable alternative to resin and powder when conducting 3D printing. Printer filaments have a wide variety of applications and are easy to use. This extract details what to consider when choosing a 3D printer filament. 

Manufacturer

There are numerous filament brands on sale today. Therefore, it would not come as a surprise if you have a difficult time comparing the different products. Check the manufacturer's reputation to establish the product quality. Customer reviews, 3D printing professionals, and manufacturing blogs are excellent sources of information. Furthermore, examine the manufacturer's standards. For instance, does the filament undergo stress tests to ensure it can withstand high temperatures and produce quality products? It is an easy way to identify high-quality filaments.  

Types of 3D Printer Filaments

You will have to choose one of these filaments: 

• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): It is a cheap, tough, flexible filament that easily extrudes. Its downside is that it is non-biodegradable and produces fumes.
• Polylactic acid (PLA): It is a biodegradable filament that is easy to work with. Its downside is that it attracts water molecules, hence complicating the extrusion process.
• Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA): It is a water-soluble, non-toxic, biodegradable filament. However, it is expensive compared to ABS and PLA.
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): It is a highly flexible filament that can withstand higher temperatures ranges. However, it attracts moisture.
• Polyethylene coTrimethylene Terephthalate (PETT): It is a strong, highly flexible, biodegradable filament. Unlike other filaments, it does not absorb moisture or shrink. Nonetheless, it has a smaller temperature range. 

Filament Specifications 

Your first concern should be the filament's size. Ideally, it should fit into the printer's nozzle. Otherwise, the printer will jam during printing. Two qualities come into play when assessing a filament's size; its roundness and tolerance. A filament's tolerance refers to how much its diameter deviates from its original specification. A filament with a high tolerance is inconsistent and could produce low-quality products. On the other hand, roundness is a percentage of the consistence of the filament's shape. A filament with a high roundness percentage has a consistent shape. 

You should also check whether your preferred filament has impurities. A filament with a high concentration of impurities clogs the printer's nozzle, which affects the quality of the product. What is the filament's temperature tolerance? Check the extruder's temperature range to determine which filament to use. For instance, ABS can withstand a higher temperature compared to PLA. Finally, check whether the filament contains moisture. A filament with a high moisture content swells and blocks the nozzle. 

For more information about different filaments, like Zortrax 3D filaments, contact a local professional.

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