Materials That Can Be Used For 3D Printing
Ceramics are widely used for a variety of applications. They are also very porous, which makes them an excellent material for medical implants. Traditionally, medical implants have been produced using costly, time-consuming, and complicated methods. However, 3D printing has made it possible to create medical implants much faster and more affordable.
Whether you’re interested in 3D printing for personal or business purposes, many other materials are ideal for this process. These include nylon and polyvinyl alcohol. You can also use other materials, such as paper. But paper 3D prints have some disadvantages. If you are considering hiring 3D printing services, read below which material suits your needs.
Sandstone:
There are a few downsides to sandstone as a 3D printing material. First, it is not suitable for printing parts that will be in contact with food or water. This type of material can become trapped inside the print, dramatically increasing the project’s cost.
Nylon:
Nylon is a good choice for 3D printing because of its strength and durability. However, Nylon has some drawbacks that should be considered before using this material. First of all, this material has a high melting point. Therefore, you should keep the temperature stable during printing. Additionally, it can be prone to warping. To avoid this, it is best to dry the Nylon before using it for 3D printing. This process can add some time to the 3D printing process.
Polyvinyl alcohol:
Polyvinyl alcohol is a polymer commonly used in medical applications. Its toxicity is low, and it is biocompatible. This makes it a desirable choice for 3D printing as it is soluble in water, making it safe for workers to use. Printed PVA has also been used for respiratory pathogen detection.
Polycarbonate:
Polycarbonate materials are suitable for 3D printing, but you should know that you must use a high-quality filament to make them work well. The low-quality filament often contains fillers and additives, harming your 3D printing experience. The resulting print will be prone to bubbles and irregular flow. To minimize this problem, you should store your filament in an airtight container.
Polyethylene terephthalate:
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a transparent thermoplastic polymer resin derived from petroleum. It is part of the polyester family and was originally synthesized in the 1940s. The material is versatile and is used for a wide range of applications.