“As interest and demand in 3D printing continues to grow, we are happy to provide our customers with a diversified line-up of 3D printer filaments that are designed to meet the quality standards engineers require,” added company product manager Steve Jagger-Marsh.
The materials are:
- PLA (polylactic acid), a vegetable-based polymer that is easy to print and rigid. Suited to objects used below 50°, good for prototypes.
- ABS, a tougher polymer that can withstand higher temperatures than PLA. Good for finished objects, but see ASA for outdoor applications.
- TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane, a TPE), a flexible rubber-like abrasion-resistant plastic (Shore hardness 95A in this case), useful for impact-absorption, soft-touch surfaces, seals, bushing and vibration dampers.
- PVA, a water-soluble material that can be used to print wash-away supports for objects printed in other materials.
- PETG, almost as easy to print as PLA, and almost as impact and heat resistant as ABS. Used for finished objects and tough prototypes.
- PA (polyamide/nylon), semi-flexible, very tough and durable for bearings, structural components and connectors.
- HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) is limonene-soluble and used to support ABS, as well as printing lightweight objects.
- TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), more elastic than the TPU above in this case (Shore hardness 83A), highly durable and fatigue-resistant, and works across -30 to 140°C.
- ASA, which is an ultra-violet-resistant alternative to ABS that is almost as impact and heat resistant. Suited to outdoor applications and less smelly to print.
The 3D printing filamants are linked from this web page
