What Materials Can You 3D Print?

New generations of printer are expanding the capabilities of 3D printing, to the extent that it now uses a broad and expanding range of materials.

17:56 03 July 2020

As an advanced manufacturing technology, 3D printing is versatile and practical. New generations of printer are expanding the capabilities of 3D printing, to the extent that it now uses a broad and expanding range of materials.

 

This includes plastics, powders and resins. You can also 3D print using metals and other materials.

 

3D printing is already a tried and tested method for modelling design concepts and producing detailed, workable prototypes rapidly. Now it is also supporting the next generation of manufacturers, driving innovation.

 

Here, we look at the different materials you can use in 3D printing.

 

Plastics

 

Many 3D printers use fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology, printing with thermoplastic materials.

 

The materials this technology prints with include:

 

• PLA filament – PLA, polylactic acid, is an easy material for 3D printers to work with and is derived from organic materials such as corn starch and sugar cane. It is biodegradable, environmentally friendly and safe to use.
  
  

• PVA filament – PVA, polyvinyl alcohol, is a synthetic polymer with a translucent, white appearance. It is resistant to oil, grease and solvents.
  
  

• ABS filament – ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a tough, light plastic, ideal for prototyping.
  
  

Powders

 

Some technologically advanced 3D printers use powder-based materials to create 3D objects:

 

• Polyamide (Nylon) – a white, granular powder that is strong and flexible, and good for printing a high level of detail
  
  

• Alumide – a blend of aluminium powder and polyamide that is sandy in colour and provides durable, rigid end results
  
  

• Multicolour powder – a granular powder for full colour 3D printing.
  
  

Resins

 

Stereolithography is a 3D printing process that uses liquid resin rather than plastics or powders.

 

Because the printing material is liquid, this process requires extra support for objects during printing.

 

There are several resins suitable for 3D printing, including:

 

• Paintable resin – producing objects with a smooth, paintable finish
  
  

• Transparent resin – producing 3D objects that are strong, stiff and water-resistant
  
  

• High detail resin – a photo polymeric liquid that is ideal for smaller objects or finely-detailed models.
  
  
  

Other 3D Printing Materials

 

In addition to plastics, powders and resins, there is an expanding selection of materials suitable for 3D printing, including:

 

• Carbon fibre
  
  
• Kevlar
  
  
• HSHT Fibreglass
  
  

Various metals can be used in 3D printing, such as:

• Stainless steel
  
  
• Titanium
  
  
• Bronze.
  
  

These are all printed using metallic powders.

 

You can also 3D print in gold, silver and brass by first printing a wax mould then filling it with the molten metal material of your choice.

 

Ceramics provide another 3D printing material. These produce 3D objects that are shiny in appearance, heat-resistant and food-safe. They are also recyclable.

 

This involves 3D print using alumina silica ceramic powder. Once printed, it requires sealing and glazing.

 

How Do You Decide Which Material to Print With?

 

Choosing a material to print with very much depends on the end-purpose of your 3D printed object.

 

When simply printing moulds for small-scale injection testing, for example, then a thermoplastic material will do.

 

However, the expanding technology driving 3D printing now means there is a wider selection of materials you can print with than ever before.

 

This reflects the evolution of 3D from a design and prototype-centred production means to full-scale additive manufacturing.

 

A huge number of consumer products are made from thermoplastics, and for designers and engineers, prototyping is now producing fully-functional models that are close to the finished product.

 

For applications such as concept modelling and manufacturing items like engineering parts, ABS filament’s tough, lightweight qualities are perfect.

 

As it is biodegradable, PLA is a good material for single-use food contact, and it does not contract as much as ABS when cooling. However, it is less heat-resistant.

 

It comes in a broad variety of colours and composites, so you can give it the appearance of other materials, such as wood or metal.

 

In powder-based 3D printing, polyamide, or nylon, is highly suitable for a range of end-uses, including concept and functional modelling, tooling and medical applications.

 

3D printing is becoming a popular alternative to traditional forms of manufacturing, as well as continuing to support sophisticated and rapid modelling and prototyping.

 

As a technology it is virtually limitless.

 

Will 3D Printing Expand Your Capabilities?

 

Discover how 3D printing can support your enterprise, call us on 01527 558 282, or enquire through our site and we will be in touch as soon as possible.