The rapid development of 3D printing technology has led to its widespread application in manufacturing, medical, education and other fields. In the 3D printing process, the choice of consumables is crucial, and different types of consumables have their own unique properties and application scenarios.
1. Plastic consumables
PLA (polylactic acid): PLA is a biodegradable material that is easy to print and suitable for beginners. Its printing temperature is low and its surface is smooth, making it suitable for making models, artworks, toys, etc. However, PLA has poor heat resistance and is not suitable for high temperature environments.
ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene): ABS has high strength and heat resistance and is suitable for functional prototypes and tool making. Pay attention to ventilation during printing to avoid harmful gases.
PETG (polyethylene terephthalate): PETG combines the advantages of PLA and ABS, has good strength and toughness, and is suitable for waterproof applications and snap-on components. Its printing process is relatively simple, but attention should be paid to moisture resistance.
Nylon (PA): Nylon has excellent strength, toughness and wear resistance, and is suitable for functional prototypes and wear-resistant parts. Be careful of moisture when printing, and it is recommended to store in a dry environment.
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane): TPU is a flexible material with good elasticity and wear resistance, suitable for making flexible prototypes and shock-absorbing parts. Pay attention to the compatibility of the printer when printing.
2. Resin consumables
Standard resin: Standard resin is suitable for high-precision models and appearance prototypes, with good surface finish and detail performance. However, its mechanical properties are relatively weak and not suitable for functional parts.
Engineering resin: Engineering resin has mechanical properties similar to ABS or PP, suitable for functional prototypes and durable parts. Its printing process needs to be strictly controlled to ensure performance.
Flexible resin: Flexible resin has rubber-like elasticity and is suitable for making flexible parts such as seals and soft prototypes. Its printing process needs to be precisely controlled to obtain ideal elasticity.
3. Metal consumables
Stainless steel, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy: These metal materials are suitable for manufacturing high-demand parts such as aviation, automobile and medical equipment. Metal 3D printing requires professional equipment and processes, and the cost is relatively high.
4. Composite consumables
Carbon fiber reinforced composite materials: Carbon fiber reinforced composite materials are lightweight and high-strength, suitable for aerospace, automotive and other fields. The printing process requires a dedicated printer and nozzle to handle the reinforcing fibers.
5. Bioprinting consumables
Bio-ink: Bio-ink is used to print cells and tissue structures and is an important material in medical research and bioengineering. The printing process requires strict control to maintain cell activity.
When choosing suitable 3D printing consumables, the following factors should be considered
Application requirements: According to the functional requirements of the print, select materials with corresponding mechanical properties and environmental resistance.
Printing equipment compatibility: Ensure that the selected consumables are compatible with the printer's nozzle temperature, hot bed temperature and printing method.
Post-processing requirements: Different materials have different post-processing processes, such as cleaning, curing, heat treatment, etc., which need to be processed accordingly according to the material characteristics.
