If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. - J.R.R. Tolkien |
Phone Orders or Help: 800-734-3588, 206-458-7550 (Pacific Time) | |||||||
Compare 3D Printer PLA and ABS FilamentIf you are about to embark on creating things with your new printer, it might be a good idea to learn something about your new paints, namely the plastic that you'll be using. Choosing your PlasticCurrently there are two common types of plastic used in 3D printing – PLA (Polylactic Acid or Polylactide) which is plant starch based and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) which is petroleum based. Both PLA and ABS have pros and cons. One or the other may be better for your situation. For example, ABS requires higher temperatures to extrude than PLA. That often requires that you use a hot plate to print on so the part does not cool too fast as it is being printed. PLA, on the other hand, frequently prints better if there is a fan blowing on the part to cool it down before it can droop. PLA FilamentPLA is made from plants rich in starch like sugar beets, corn and wheat. It is both commercially 100% compostable and 100% biodegradable. Compostable means that it can be broken down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass, will not produce any toxic material and can support plant life. Biodegradable means that it can be broken down over time through a process involving microorganisms (fungi or bacteria). However, the process can create methane at a rate 62 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. ABS FilamentABS is a petroleum based plastic and not safe to use for products which may come into contact with food. ComparisonPLA
ABS
PreparationABS usually needs a fully up to temperature heat bed or the part may not work. PLA , on the other hand benefits from cool blowing air to keep its temperature down so it does not droop. But it can also benefit from a heated printbed. Many people have had good results printing ABS on Kapton, a form of Polyimide tape which is surprisingly expensive. But it usually lasts a long time. PLA , on the other, hand can often print right onto borosilicate glass. Some people find that PLA works great unheated on blue painters tape but the tape needs to be replaced fairly frequently.
|
|||||||
Home
3D Printer Basics
Build Instructions
3D Printer Models
Filament Basics
Compare Filaments
Fun Reading
3D Printer Patents
StoreBOM (Parts List)Kossel Mini BOM (Parts List) Kossel Legacy BOM (Parts List) Prusa i3 Rework BOM (Parts List) Electronics Stepper Motors Power Supplies Stepper Motor Dampers Kapton Heaters Azteeg X5 Instructions USBtinyISP FSR/Endstop Controller Limit Switches End Stops Wiring, Connectors, Crimps Power Connector Plastic Parts Mechanical Parts Belts & Gears Bearings Coupling Kossel Nuts Bolts, Screw Rods (Arms) Rod Ends Rod Set Screws Hobbed Drive Gear Spool Fan Kapton Heater Heat Spreader Borosilicate Glass Hot Ends E3D HotEnds E3D HotEnd Volcano E3D HotEnd Nozzles J Head HotEnds Resistors 5.6, 6.8 Ohm Thermistors Push Fit Teflon Tube, PTFE Printing Supplies Kapton Tape Blue Tape Misc Thermal Fuse Heatbed Extrusions Silica Gel Comm Cable Spectra Line Techflex Split Loom T-Slot Aluminum Extrusions Bulk Nuts, Bolts, Screws  
Send Us Your Comments Share Site With A Friend Go To Our Site Map Link To Us Related Links Report A Broken Link Contact Information |
Tri D
|
||||||
TriDPrinting.com |
Site Map |
Terms of Use |
Privacy & Security |
Contact Us |
Purchase Agreement |
Send Feedback |