3D printer filament
There are many different types of filament for 3D printers, and it’s important to choose the right ones for your printer and for the object that you are trying to build. We are talking about one of the most common 3D printing technologies: FFF – Fused Filament Fabrication -, a 3d printing process that uses a continuous filament of a thermoplastic material. Filament types change for composition, fusion temperature and kind of polymer; some types of filament are easier to use, others meet specific characteristics for a professional use.
PLA is one of the most common types of filament: cheap and strong, neutral and bio-compatible, melt around 215-225 degrees, not difficult to use, but quite rigid. Also ABS is extremely popular in 3D printing: ABS filament is very durable, has a shiny surface and resists to quite high temperatures. On the other side, it generally emanates a bad smell during the printing process and needs a heated plate. The range of materials is wide, here we are focusing on some products divided and described mainly according to the purpose of use.
There is also to say that 3D printer filament industry is constantly developing: new filament testing proceeds rapidly and the market offers many advanced features. Here are some of the new filaments produced by TreeD Filaments chosen by Wasp and divided into categories of use: the company itself categorizes them according to the destination; it means that the user doesn’t need to have a specific technical knowledge.
Technical 3D printer filament
ABS WASP
“BS” doesn’t stand for “bad smell”, you can read in the product description. Indeed, a special formulation kills down all the bad smells typical of ABS filament. ABS WASP is a polymer known for its toughness, brilliance and tactile feeling, used in many areas, from domestic ones, such as appliance’s shells and gears, to industrial. Pay attention to rays of sunshine: they weaken and ruin ABS, so better avoid to use it for outdoors.
Carbon fiber filament
This filament is made in fiber, not powder: a fundamental feature that makes it perfect for high-end mechanical applications, thanks to its high tensile modulus. Carbonium is strong but light, for this reason it is widely used in extreme sports. It doesn’t quickly absorb water molecules present in the air, so you don’t need to dry it before use.
G-PET, PETG
Stiff like an ABS without warping, thanks to its flexibility. G-PET is similar to bottles PET, without glycol adding. It has a good mechanical strength and high toughness. Shiny finish your objects, or get a translucent look with natural color. With a great chemical resistance, GPET is well indicated for bottles and containers.
ASA
ASA is the outdoor dedicated filament: no worries about sunlight anymore. ASA is an ASA polymer (Acrylonitrile, Styrene, Acrylate), a material with an exceptional mechanical resistance with a matte finish that lets you play with post processing. Prints like an ABS: heated bed or enclosed chamber recommended.
Eco-friendly 3D printer filament
Kyotoflex
Here we are in the world of eco-friendly and easy-to-use filament. Kyotoflex is a very flexible polymer, with good elongation, and biodegradable. Easy to print, even on bowden extruders, it has a very low hygroscopy: no need to worry about humidity anymore.
Ecogenius
Ecogenius is an ecological PLA, because it is petroleum-free. Obtained exclusively from plants, it is totally recyclable. It has a natural glossy finishing, so it will naturally shine out your objects, and it can withstand UV light, therefore it doesn’t change its color over time.
Shogun
Shogun is extremely resistant, but at the same time is as easy to print as a standard PLA. No warping and no heated bed required. Shogun is a truly biodegradable polymer, according to EN13432 rule. It can withstand high temperatures, up to 90°C without losing its shape.
TREED HIPS
This filament is made by a material very similar to ABS, frequently used for food packaging and disposable tableware. It has a good resistance to impacts an a deformation capacity that can exceed the 40% of its volume. HIPS completely dissolves if immersed in Limonene.
Another company produces filaments used by Wasp: FiloAlfa. It also offers many products, made with different polymers. Let’s take a look at some of them.
FiloAlfa 3D PLA
This is a PLA filament, in Black colour (but you can find it also in white!). It has a good mechanical resistance and it is easy to print. Completely non-toxic and odourless up to high temperatures.
FiloAlfa FiloFlex
An incredible gummy filament derived from automotive industry. It is very flexible and, as a rubber, it perfectly absorbs impacts. Moreover, compared to other polymers it has a better UV rays resistance.