In 3D-Druck, Warum funktioniert eine flexible Handyhülle am besten mit TPU?, während eine Luft- und Raumfahrtkomponente PEEK erfordert? The answer lies in 3D printing thermoplastic material types—each with unique properties that match specific project needs. Die Wahl des falschen Thermoplasts kann zu spröden Teilen führen, fehlgeschlagene Drucke, oder verschwendete Kosten. Dieser Artikel schlüsselt die auf 6 most common types, their key features, reale Anwendungen, and how to select the right one, helping you avoid mistakes and achieve successful prints.
What Are 3D Printing Thermoplastics?
3D printing thermoplastics are a class of plastic materials that soften or melt when heated (during printing) and harden when cooled (after extrusion or sintering). Im Gegensatz zu Duroplasten (which can’t be re melted), thermoplastics are reusable—making them ideal for 3D printing’s layer-by-layer process.
Think of them as “moldable building blocks”: each type has a unique “superpower”—some are flexible, some are heat-resistant, others are biodegradable—letting you tailor parts to your project’s goals.
6 Core 3D Printing Thermoplastic Material Types
Below are the most widely used thermoplastics, with detailed breakdowns of their properties, Anwendungen, and printing tips—all aligned with industry standards and real-world use cases:
1. Polyamid (PA, Nylon)
- Core Properties: Exzellent Zugfestigkeit (80–90 MPa), gute Flexibilität (resists bending without breaking), and moderate wear resistance.
- Entscheidender Vorteil: One of the first commercialized 3D printing thermoplastics—proven reliable for functional parts.
- Ideale Anwendungen:
- Industriegetriebe (handles repeated friction).
- Sportausrüstung (z.B., bike pedal inserts—flexible yet strong).
- Automotive connectors (resists vibration).
- Printing Tips: Use a heated bed (80–100°C) um ein Verziehen zu verhindern; dry PA for 4 hours at 80°C (absorbs moisture easily).
2. Polycarbonat (PC)
- Core Properties: Outperforms ABS as an engineering material—higher mechanische Festigkeit (Zugfestigkeit: 65–70 MPa), odorless, ungiftig, geringe Schrumpfung (<0.5%), and good Flammhemmung (UL94 V-2 rating).
- Entscheidender Vorteil: Balances strength and safety—safe for food-contact or indoor parts.
- Ideale Anwendungen:
- Home appliance shells (z.B., small fan casings—non-toxic and flame-resistant).
- Clear light covers (low shrinkage keeps shape).
- Gehäuse für medizinische Geräte (odorless, meets biocompatibility standards).
- Printing Tips: Nozzle temperature: 250–270°C; use an enclosed printer (maintains stable temperature).
3. Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol (ABS)
- Core Properties: One of the earliest materials for Schmelzauftragsformen (FDM)—tough (resists impact), good dimensional stability, and low cost.
- Entscheidender Vorteil: The “workhorse” of FDM printing—easy to source and print for functional prototypes.
- Ideale Anwendungen:
- Innenverkleidung für Kraftfahrzeuge (z.B., dashboard brackets—handles car vibrations).
- Funktionsprototypen (z.B., tool handles—tough enough for testing).
- Spielzeugteile (widersteht Stürzen).
- Printing Tips: Heated bed: 90–110°C; use a layer of hairspray on the bed for better adhesion.
4. Polyetheretherketon (SPÄHEN)
- Core Properties: Known as the “engineering plastic at the top of the pyramid”—excellent wear resistance, Biokompatibilität (Von der FDA zugelassen), chemische Stabilität (resists oils/acids), und Hitzebeständigkeit (melts at 343°C).
- Entscheidender Vorteil: The gold standard for high-performance parts—survives harsh environments.
- Ideale Anwendungen:
- Medizinische Implantate (z.B., spinal cages—biocompatible and strong).
- Luft- und Raumfahrtkomponenten (z.B., engine parts—handles high temperatures).
- Öl & gas tool parts (resists corrosive chemicals).
- Printing Tips: Nozzle temperature: 340–380°C; requires a high-temperature heated bed (120–140°C).
5. Polymilchsäure (PLA)
- Core Properties: A biodegradable material made from renewable plant resources (corn starch)—odorless, einfach zu drucken, and low cost.
- Entscheidender Vorteil: Perfect for beginners and eco-friendly projects—no harsh fumes during printing.
- Ideale Anwendungen:
- Dekorative Teile (z.B., Pflanzentöpfe, Figuren).
- Prototypen (z.B., phone case mockups—fast to print).
- Disposable items (z.B., temporary packaging—biodegrades after use).
- Printing Tips: Nozzle temperature: 190–220°C; heated bed optional (50–60°C for large parts).
6. Thermoplastisches Polyurethan (TPU)
- Core Properties: Hoch Elastizität (stretches up to 300% and returns to shape) and excellent abrasion resistance—soft to the touch.
- Entscheidender Vorteil: The only common thermoplastic for flexible parts—fills the gap between rigid plastics and rubber.
- Ideale Anwendungen:
- Wearable devices (z.B., smartwatch bands—flexible and comfortable).
- Protective covers (z.B., phone cases—absorbs drops).
- Gaskets/seals (z.B., water bottle lids—creates a tight seal).
- Printing Tips: Nozzle temperature: 210–230°C; use a slow print speed (30–50 mm/s) to avoid stringing.
3D Printing Thermoplastic Comparison Table
Use this table to quickly compare key features and find your match:
| Materialtyp | Zugfestigkeit | Schlüsselmerkmal | Am besten für | Nozzle Temp | Heated Bed Temp |
| PA (Nylon) | 80–90 MPa | Stark + Flexibel | Getriebe, Anschlüsse | 240–260°C | 80–100°C |
| PC | 65–70 MPa | Stark + Flame-Resistant | Appliance Shells, Light Covers | 250–270°C | 90–110°C |
| ABS | 40–50 MPa | Hart + Niedrige Kosten | Prototypen, Auto Trim | 230–250°C | 90–110°C |
| SPÄHEN | 90–100 MPa | Hochleistung + Biokompatibel | Implantate, Aerospace Parts | 340–380°C | 120–140°C |
| PLA | 50–60 MPa | Biologisch abbaubar + Easy to Print | Decor, Prototypen | 190–220°C | 50–60°C (opt.) |
| TPU | 30–40 MPa | Elastisch + Abrasion-Resistant | Bands, Dichtungen | 210–230°C | 60–80°C |
How to Choose the Right 3D Printing Thermoplastic (4-Step Guide)
Follow this linear, problem-solving process to select your material:
- Define Your Project’s Goals
- Ask: Is the part funktionell (z.B., ein Zahnrad) oder dekorativ (z.B., eine Figur)?
- Functional → Prioritize strength (PA/PEEK) oder Flexibilität (TPU).
- Decorative → Prioritize ease of printing (PLA) oder Kosten.
- Check the environment: Will it face heat (choose PEEK/PC) or moisture (choose PC/ABS)?
- Match Traits to Needs
- Beispiel 1: A medical implant needs biocompatibility → PEEK.
- Beispiel 2: A flexible phone case needs elasticity → TPU.
- Beispiel 3: An eco-friendly prototype needs biodegradability → PLA.
- Consider Printing Difficulty
- Beginners: Start with PLA (kein beheiztes Bett nötig, low stringing).
- Advanced users: Try PEEK (needs high temps) or TPU (needs slow speed).
- Test with a Small Sample
- Print a 2cm×2cm cube first. Check for warping (adjust bed temp) or brittleness (switch to a stronger material).
Real-World Case Studies
See how these thermoplastics solve industry problems:
Fall 1: Automotive Prototype with ABS
- Problem: A car maker needed 50 dashboard bracket prototypes fast—metal prototypes would take 2 weeks and cost $5,000.
- Lösung: Used ABS to print brackets in 3 Tage. ABS’s toughness let engineers test fit and vibration resistance.
- Ergebnis: Cost dropped to $800 (84% savings), and the design was finalized 1 week early.
Fall 2: Medical Implant with PEEK
- Problem: A hospital needed a custom spinal cage—traditional metal cages were heavy and caused patient discomfort.
- Lösung: 3D printed the cage with PEEK. Its biocompatibility let it fuse with bone, and its light weight improved patient recovery.
- Ergebnis: Die Genesungszeit des Patienten verkürzt sich um 30%, and no implant failures were reported in 2 Jahre.
Fall 3: Eco-Friendly Toy with PLA
- Problem: A toy company wanted to reduce plastic waste—traditional PVC toys take 450+ years to decompose.
- Lösung: Switched to PLA for toy production. PLA toys biodegrade in 12 months in industrial compost.
- Ergebnis: Waste reduced by 90%, and the company gained a “sustainable” brand reputation.
Die Perspektive von Yigu Technology
Bei Yigu Technology, we believe 3D printing thermoplastic material types are the foundation of versatile manufacturing. Our FDM printers (YG-FDM 800) are optimized for all 6 core thermoplastics: they have adjustable high-temperature nozzles (up to 400°C for PEEK) and smart bed heating (prevents warping for ABS/PC). We also provide material selection guides for clients—helping a startup switch from PLA to TPU for wearable devices cut product testing time by 25%. As thermoplastics evolve (z.B., recyceltes PA), we’ll keep updating our hardware to unlock their full potential.
FAQ
- Q: Which 3D printing thermoplastic is best for outdoor use?
A: Polycarbonat (PC) is ideal—it resists UV rays, Feuchtigkeit, und Temperaturänderungen (from -40°C to 130°C), so parts won’t crack or fade.
- Q: Is PLA really biodegradable?
A: Ja! In industrial composting conditions (55–70°C, hohe Luftfeuchtigkeit), PLA breaks down into carbon dioxide and water in 6–24 months. It won’t biodegrade in home compost (zu kalt) but is still more eco-friendly than non-recyclable plastics.
- Q: Can I mix different thermoplastics in one print?
A: It’s not recommended—most thermoplastics have different melting points (z.B., PLA melts at 190°C, PEEK at 343°C). Mixing causes poor layer adhesion and failed prints. Stick to one material per part.