2/22/2021 3D printing filament - Wikipedia

3D printing filament
3D printing filament is the thermoplastic feedstock for fused deposition modeling 3D printers. There are many
types of filament available with different properties, requiring different temperatures to print.[1] Filament is
commonly available in the two standard diameters of 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm.[2] 2.85 mm filament is sometimes
erronously referred to as "3 mm", but should not be confused with the less common filament size that actually
measures 3 mm in diameter.[3]

Filament size should not be confused with the nozzle size, and several different combinations of nozzle and filament
sizes may be used. One of the most common nozzle sizes is 0.4 mm, while examples of other common sizes includes 3D printing filament in different
0.35 mm and 0.25 mm.[4] colours with models created using
the filament.

Contents
Production
Commercially produced filament
DIY filament production
Use
Materials
References

Production

Commercially produced filament

3D printing filament is created using a process of heating, extruding and cooling plastic to transform nurdles into the
finished product. Unlike a 3D printer the filament is pulled rather than pushed through the nozzle to create the
filament, the diameter of the filament is defined by the process that takes place after the plastic has been heated
rather than the diameter of the extruder nozzle. A different force and speed is applied to the filament as it is pulled
out of the extruder to define the width of the filament, most commonly 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm diameter.[5][6]

The plastic nurdles are always white or clear. Pigments or other additives are added to the material before it is melted
to create coloured filament or filament with special properties, e.g. increased strength or magnetic properties. Before
the filament is extruded the nurdles are heated to 80°C to dry it and reduce water content. The nurdles must be dried Stacks of commercially produced
as many thermoplastics are hygroscopic and extrusion of damp plastic causes dimensional flaws (this is also the case filament which have been shrink-
wrapped to protect the filament from
when the finished filament is being printed[7]). From there the nurdles are fed into a single screw extruder where it is
moisture.
heated and extruded into a filament.[5] The diameter is often measured by a laser as part of a quality control
mechanism to ensure correct diameter of the filament. The filament is then fed through a warm water tank which
cools the filament which gives the filament its round shape. The filament is then fed through a cold water tank to cool
it to room temperature. It is then wound onto a spool to create the finished product.[5]

DIY filament production

DIY filament production machines use the same method as FDM 3D printers of pushing the filament through the extruder to create the correct diameter
filament. There are several DIY filament machines available as both open source plans and commercially available machines, includuing Recyclebots of
various design, Filastruder and Multistruder.[8]

A food dehydrator can be used to remove water from hygroscopic materials at above 70 °C.[9]

Use
The process of transforming 3D printing filament into a 3D model

1. The filament is fed into the FDM 3D printer.

2. The thermoplastic is heated past their glass transition temperature inside the hotend.
3. The filament is extruded and deposited by an extrusion head onto a build platform where it cools.
4. The process is continuous, building up layers to create the model.

Materials

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The process of turning 3D printing

filament into a 3D model

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Density Print Bed

Special Difficulty Printing
Filament Uses Strength Flexibility Durability Temperature Temperature
Properties (kg/m3) to print notes
(°C) (°C)

Easy to print Consumer No heated bed

PLA Medium 1240[10] Low Medium Low 180 - 230
Biodegradable Products needed

Durable Functional
ABS Medium 1010[11] Medium High Medium 210 - 250 50 - 100
Impact resistant Parts

More flexible than

PETG (XT, PLA or ABS No heated bed
N‑Vent)
All Medium 1270[12] High High Medium 220 - 235
needed
Durable

Strong Hygroscopic,
keep sealed
Nylon Flexible All High 1020[13] High High Medium 220 - 260 50 - 100
when not in
Durable use

Extremely flexible Elastic Parts Print very

TPE Low High Medium High 225 - 235 40
Rubber-like Wearables slowly

Extremely flexible Elastic Parts No heated bed

TPU Low High Medium High 225 - 235 Print slowly
Rubber-like Wearables needed

No heated bed
Wood Wood-like finish Home Decor Medium 1400[14] Medium Medium Medium 195 - 220
needed
Support
structures
Dissolvable when using
HIPS ABS on a Low 1040[15] Medium High Medium 210 - 250 50 - 100
Biodegradable dual
extrusion
printer.
Support
Dissolvable structures
Hygroscopic,
Water Soluble when using
No heated bed keep sealed
PVA PLA or ABS High Low Medium Low 180 - 230
Biodegradable needed when not in
on a dual
Oil Resistant use
extrusion
printer.

Strong
Flexible No heated bed
PET (CEP) All High High High Medium 220 - 250
Durable needed
Recyclable

Use
No heated bed
PLA Metal Metal Finish Jewelry Medium Low High High 195 - 220 hardened
needed
nozzle

Rigid Use
PLA Carbon Functional No heated bed
Stronger Than Medium Low High Medium 195 - 220 hardened
Fiber Parts needed
Pure PLA nozzle

Biodegradable
Lignin
Stronger than Medium Low Medium Low 190 - 225 55
(bioFila)
PLA

Use
Very strong enclosed
Flexible heated
Functional 1180 – chamber at
Polycarbonate Durable High High High Medium 270 - 310 90 - 105
Parts 1200[16] ambient
Transparent temperature
Heat Resistant of around
60°C
Conductive
Use
(usually a No heated bed
Conductive Electronics Medium Medium Low Low 215 - 230 hardened
graphite- needed
nozzle
plastic blend)
Wax Lost wax No heated bed
Melts Away Low Low Low Low 170 - 180
(MOLDLAY) Casting needed

Strong
PETT Flexible Functional No heated bed
High High High Medium 235 - 240
(T‑Glase) Transparent Parts needed
Clear

Rigid
Durable
ASA Outdoor Medium Low High Medium 240 - 260 100 - 120
Weather
Resistant

Flexible
Flexible
PP Chemical Components
Medium 1040[17] High Medium High 210 - 230 120 - 150
Resistance

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Density Print Bed

Special Difficulty Printing
Filament Uses Strength Flexibility Durability Temperature Temperature
Properties (kg/m3) to print notes
(°C) (°C)

Strong
Rigid Functional
POM, Acetal High Low Medium High 210 - 225 130
Low Friction Parts
Resilient

Rigid
Durable
PMMA, Light
Transparent Medium Low High Medium 235 - 250 100 -120
Acrylic diffusers
Clear
Impact Resistant

Sandstone
No heated bed
(LAYBRICK; Sandstone Finish Architecture Low Low Low Medium 165 - 210
needed
styled plastic)
Use
GLow-In-The- No heated bed
Phosphorescence Fun Medium Medium Medium Low 215 hardened
Dark plastic needed
nozzle
Unclogging No heated bed
Cleaning Cleaning N/A N/A N/A Low 150 - 260
of Nozzles needed

Rigid
Durable
Functional
PC-ABS Impact Resistant Medium Low High High 260 - 280 120
Parts
Resilient
Deflecting Heat

Magnetic No heated bed

Magnetic Fun Medium Medium Medium High 195 - 220
(PLA blend) needed
Color
No heated bed
Changing Thermochromism Fun Medium Medium Medium Low 215
needed
(plastic blend)

Similar to PETG
nGen (co-
Heat Resistant All Medium High High Medium 210 - 240 60
polyester)
Transparent

Extremely
Flexible
Rubber-Like
Elastic Parts
TPC Chemical Low High Medium High 210 60 - 100
resistant Outdoor
Heat resistant
UV light resistant

Partially Water No heated bed

PORO-LAY Experimental Low High Medium Low 220 - 235
Soluble needed
Flexible
FPE Flexible Low High High Medium 205 - 250 75[18][19][20][21][22]
Parts

Heat Resistant Use

enclosed
Strong Functional
PEI High 1270 Medium High Medium 340 - 380 180 - 200 heated
Flame Parts
chamber at
Performance 220°C

References
1. "16 Types of 3D Printer Filaments" (http://3dinsider.com/3d-printing-mat
erials/). 3D Insider. 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
2. "A Curious Thing About 3.00 vs 1.75 mm 3D Printer Filament" (http://w
ww.fabbaloo.com/blog/2015/7/26/a-curious-thing-about-300-vs-175mm-
3d-printer-filament). Fabbaloo. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
3. The 3mm Filament Problem (https://www.fabbaloo.com/blog/2018/8/31/t
he-3mm-filament-problem)
4. What 3D Printer Nozzle Size Should I Use? - The Pros and Cons... (htt
ps://rigid.ink/blogs/news/what-3d-printer-nozzle-size-should-i-use-the-pr
os-and-cons)
5. "How It Is Made: 3D Printing Filament | Make:" (http://makezine.com/20
15/02/11/how-it-is-made-3d-printing-filament/). Make: DIY Projects and
Ideas for Makers. 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
6. https://www.filaments.directory/en/blog/2018/08/29/how-are-filaments-
made
7. https://www.filaments.directory/en/blog/2016/09/15/what-effect-does-
humidity-have-on-your-filament
8. Filastruder. "Filastruder: The World's Premier DIY Filament
Extruder/Maker" (https://www.filastruder.com/). Filastruder. Retrieved
2017-04-21.
9. CNC Kitchen. "Can you 3D Print with Trimmer Line?! - YouTube" (http
s://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsrkFIuQEZM). YouTube.
10. "1.75mm EasyFil PLA Sapphire Grey" (https://web.archive.org/web/201
70423065735/http://www.formfutura.com/175mm-easyfil-pla-sapphire-g
rey.html). Formfutura. Archived from the original (http://www.formfutura.
com/175mm-easyfil-pla-sapphire-grey.html) on 2017-04-23. Retrieved
2017-04-22.
11. "1.75mm Premium ABS Natural" (http://www.formfutura.com/formfutura-
175mm-premium-abs-natural.html). Formfutura. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
12. rigid.ink Filament Comparison Guide "Complete 3D Printing Filament
Comparison Guide" (https://rigid.ink/pages/filament-comparison-guide),
rigid.ink, 2017-12-14
13. "NYLON PA12 - Technical Data Sheet" (https://fiberlogy.com/wp-conten
t/uploads/2018/05/TDS_NYLON.pdf) (PDF). Fiberlogy. Retrieved
2020-03-09.
14. "FiberWood - Technical Data Sheet" (https://fiberlogy.com/wp-content/u
ploads/2017/02/TDS-FIBERWOOD.pdf) (PDF). Fiberlogy. Retrieved
2020-03-09.
15. "1.75mm EasyFil™ HIPS White" (http://www.formfutura.com/formfutura-
175mm-easyfil-hips-white.html). Formfutura. Retrieved 2017-04-22.

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2/22/2021
16. "PC-Max™ - Polymaker" (https://web.archive.org/web/2017042307042
0/http://www.polymaker.com/shop/polymaker-pc-max/). Polymaker.
Archived from the original (http://www.polymaker.com/shop/polymaker-p
c-max/) on 2017-04-23. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
17. "PP - Polypropylene - Technical Data Sheet" (https://fiberlogy.com/wp-c
ontent/uploads/2019/10/TDS-PP-EN.pdf) (PDF). Fiberlogy. Retrieved
2020-03-09.
18. "30 Types of 3D Printer Filament - Guide & Comparison Chart | All3DP"
(https://all3dp.com/best-3d-printer-filament-types-pla-abs-pet-exotic-wo
od-metal/). All3DP. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
3D printing filament - Wikipedia
19. "3D Printer Filament Comparison | MatterHackers" (https://www.matterh
ackers.com/3d-printer-filament-compare). MatterHackers. Retrieved
2017-04-20.
20. "What Material Should I Use For 3D Printing? | 3D Printing for
Beginners" (http://3dprintingforbeginners.com/filamentprimer/). 3D
Printing for Beginners. 2013-02-10. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
21. "3D Printing Temperatures & Printing Guidelines" (https://filaments.ca/p
ages/temperature-guide). Filaments.ca. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
22. 3dprintingfromscratch.com (2014-12-10). "3D Printer Filament Types
Overview | 3D Printing from scratch" (http://3dprintingfromscratch.com/c
ommon/3d-printer-filament-types-overview/). 3D Printing from scratch.
Retrieved 2017-12-12.

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