As 3D-Drucktechnologie revolutionizes industries from healthcare to aerospace, choosing the right 3D printed plastic becomes a critical step for success. Ganz gleich, ob Sie als Bastler Prototypen erstellen oder als Ingenieur Industrieteile entwerfen, die Eigenschaften verstehen, Vorteile, und Einschränkungen verschiedener Kunststoffe stellen sicher, dass Ihr Projekt die Leistungsziele erreicht. This guide breaks down the most common 3D printing plastic materials, their applications, and how to select the best option for your needs.
1. Core Categories of 3D Printed Plastic: Thermoplastics vs. Duroplaste
The first step in choosing a 3D printed plastic is understanding its base category. All 3D printing plastics fall into two main groups: thermoplastics and thermosets. Their behavior under heat is the key difference—and this directly impacts their use cases.
| Besonderheit | Thermoplaste | Duroplaste |
| Response to Heat | Soften/melt when heated; harden when cooled (reversibel) | Do not soften/melt when heated; become harder (irreversible) |
| Reusability | Can be melted and reshaped multiple times | Cannot be reused once cured |
| Hauptvorteile | Einfach zu drucken, vielseitig, recycelbar | Hohe Festigkeit, excellent high-temperature resistance |
| Common Examples | PLA, ABS, PC, Nylon | Epoxidharz (EP), Phenolharz (PF) |
| Typische Anwendungen | Prototypen, Konsumgüter, medizinische Werkzeuge | Teile mit hoher Beanspruchung, heat-resistant components |
2. Spitze 6 3D Printed Plastic Materials: Properties and Use Cases
Nicht alle 3D printed plastics are created equal. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most widely used options, with their unique traits and real-world applications.
2.1 PLA (Polymilchsäure)
- What it is: A biodegradable thermoplastic made from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane.
- Schlüsseleigenschaften: Niedriger Schmelzpunkt (180–220°C), einfach zu drucken, good gloss/transparency, ungiftig (slight odor when heated).
- Einschränkungen: Poor heat resistance (softens above 60°C) und Wasserbeständigkeit.
- Ideal für: Hobbyist prototypes, Dekorationsartikel, temporary parts (z.B., Halloween props, Pflanzentöpfe).
2.2 ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol)
- What it is: A blend of three polymers (PS, SAN, BS) that balances hardness, Zähigkeit, und Steifigkeit.
- Schlüsseleigenschaften: Opaque (usually milky white), ungiftig, excellent impact strength, good dimensional stability, chemische Beständigkeit.
- Einschränkungen: Requires a heated build plate to prevent warping.
- Ideal für: Funktionsprototypen, Konsumgüter (z.B., Handyhüllen, Spielzeugteile), Automobil-Innenraumkomponenten.
2.3 PC (Polycarbonat)
- What it is: A high-performance thermoplastic known as an “engineering plastic.”
- Schlüsseleigenschaften: Hohe Festigkeit, Hitzebeständigkeit (bis 130°C), Schlagfestigkeit, bending resistance.
- Unique Benefit: Parts can be directly assembled and used (Für viele Anwendungen ist keine Nachbearbeitung erforderlich).
- Ideal für: Luft- und Raumfahrtkomponenten, medizinische Ausrüstung (z.B., Gehäuse für Diagnosewerkzeuge), Automobil-Außenteile.
2.4 Nylon (Polyamid)
- What it is: A lightweight thermoplastic with excellent wear resistance.
- Schlüsseleigenschaften: Hitzebeständigkeit, low friction coefficient, hohe Zugfestigkeit (even without post-processing).
- Einschränkungen: Limited color options (can be colored via spray painting or dip dyeing).
- Ideal für: SLS (Selektives Lasersintern) druckt, bewegliche Teile (z.B., Getriebe, Lager), Sportgeräte (z.B., Fahrradpedale).
2.5 Photosensitive Resin
- What it is: A liquid material made of polymer monomers and prepolymers, cured by UV light.
- Schlüsseleigenschaften: Fast curing speed, glatte Oberfläche, transparent to translucent matte appearance.
- Unique Benefit: Delivers ultra-high precision (down to 0.1mm layer heights).
- Ideal für: Schmuck (z.B., custom pendants), Zahnmodelle (z.B., crown prototypes), small high-detail parts (z.B., miniatures).
2.6 Specialized Materials
For advanced projects, diese 3D printed plastics offer unique solutions:
- Hochleistungskunststoffe: PEI (polyetherimide), SPÄHEN (Polyetheretherketon), PES (polyether sulfone), and PPSU (polyphenyl sulfone) — used for extreme environments (z.B., Teile für Luft- und Raumfahrtmotoren, medizinische Implantate).
- Water-soluble plastics: PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) — used as support structures for complex prints (dissolves in water, no manual removal needed).
3. How to Choose the Right 3D Printed Plastic: 4 Schlüsselfaktoren
Bei so vielen Möglichkeiten, how do you pick the best 3D printed plastic? Follow this step-by-step process:
- Define Your Project’s Needs:
- Ist das Teil funktionsfähig? (z.B., ein Zahnrad) oder dekorativ (z.B., eine Figur)?
- Will it be exposed to heat (z.B., near an engine) or water (z.B., a outdoor planter)?
- Does it need to be biodegradable (z.B., a temporary medical splint)?
- Consider Your Budget:
- Low-cost options: PLA (\(20–)30 pro kg), ABS (\(25–)35 pro kg).
- Mid-range options: PC (\(40–)60 pro kg), Nylon (\(50–)70 pro kg).
- High-cost options: Photosensitive resin (\(80–)150 per liter), SPÄHEN (\(300–)500 pro kg).
- Check Compatibility with Your Printer:
- PLA/ABS work with most FDM (Modellierung der Schmelzablagerung) printers.
- Nylon requires SLS printers.
- Photosensitive resin needs a resin 3D printer (UV-Härtung).
- Evaluate Post-Processing Needs:
- Do you have time for sanding (ABS) or dyeing (Nylon)?
- Can you afford water-soluble supports (PVA)?
4. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printed Plastic
Bei Yigu Technology, we believe 3D printed plastic is the backbone of accessible innovation. Our engineering team prioritizes materials that balance performance and usability—for example, we often recommend PLA for beginners (einfach zu drucken, niedrige Kosten) and PC/PEEK for industrial clients (hohe Haltbarkeit, Hitzebeständigkeit). As 3D printing evolves, we’re seeing a shift toward eco-friendly options (like plant-based PLA) and ultra-high-performance plastics (like PEEK for medical implants). We advise clients to align material choice with long-term goals: a prototype may only need PLA, but a critical aerospace part demands PEEK.
5. FAQ About 3D Printed Plastic
Q1: Is 3D printed plastic toxic?
Most common 3D printed plastics (PLA, ABS, PC) are non-toxic when used correctly. PLA emits a slight sweet odor when heated (sicher), while ABS may release fumes—we recommend a well-ventilated space or a HEPA filter for ABS printing. Photosensitive resin is safe once cured but requires gloves when handling liquid resin.
Q2: Can 3D printed plastic parts be reused?
Thermoplaste (PLA, ABS, PC) can be melted and reshaped multiple times, making them reusable. Duroplaste (Epoxidharz) and cured photosensitive resin cannot be reused, as their chemical structure changes permanently during curing.
Q3: What’s the most durable 3D printed plastic?
For general use, PC and Nylon offer excellent durability. Für extreme Bedingungen (hohe Hitze, Druck), PEEK is the top choice—it’s used in medical implants and aerospace parts because of its strength and biocompatibility.