1. PLA (Polylactic Acid)
Properties:
- Ease of Printing: Very easy to print with, making it ideal for beginners.
- Strength: Good, but can be brittle in certain applications.
- Flexibility: Low.
- Durability: Fair; susceptible to degradation under high temperatures and UV light.
- Environmental Impact: Biodegradable, derived from renewable resources like corn starch.
2. PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
Properties:
- Ease of Printing: Easy to print with, less prone to warping compared to ABS.
- Strength: High, better impact resistance than PLA.
- Flexibility: Moderate, less brittle than PLA.
- Durability: Good; strong, UV resistant, and suitable for outdoor use.
- Chemical Resistance: Excellent resistance to water and most chemicals.
3. PC (Polycarbonate)
Properties:
- Ease of Printing: More challenging to print with due to high temperatures and tendency to warp.
- Strength: Very high, one of the strongest filaments.
- Flexibility: Moderate to high; very tough and impact resistant.
- Durability: Excellent, can withstand high temperatures and has good impact resistance.
- Clarity: Can be very clear, making it useful for light diffusing applications.
4. PCCF (Polycarbonate Carbon Fiber)
Properties:
- Ease of Printing: Challenging, similar to PC but requires hardened nozzles due to abrasive nature.
- Strength: Extremely high due to carbon fiber reinforcement.
- Flexibility: Low; more rigid compared to standard PC.
- Durability: Excellent, with enhanced mechanical properties and heat resistance.
- Surface Finish: Matte, with a unique texture due to carbon fibers.
5. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Properties:
- Ease of Printing: Requires careful tuning; flexible filaments can be tricky to print.
- Strength: Good, with excellent abrasion resistance.
- Flexibility: Very high; can be bent, stretched, and compressed.
- Durability: Very durable; resistant to oil, grease, and abrasion.
- Elasticity: High, making it suitable for flexible parts like phone cases and gaskets.
6. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Properties:
- Ease of Printing: Moderate; tends to warp and emit fumes.
- Strength: Good, with decent impact resistance.
- Flexibility: Moderate.
- Durability: Good, strong, and impact-resistant; can withstand higher temperatures than PLA.
- Post-processing: Easy to sand, can be smoothed with acetone.
7. ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)
Properties:
- Ease of Printing: Similar to ABS but with better weather resistance.
- Strength: High, similar to ABS.
- Flexibility: Moderate.
- Durability: Excellent; superior UV resistance and weather resistance compared to ABS.
- Chemical Resistance: Good, especially to outdoor elements.
Each of these filaments has its own unique properties, making them suitable for different applications based on the requirements for strength, flexibility, durability, and environmental conditions.