When starting a 3D printing project, one of the biggest questions users face is: “Which material should I choose?” Picking the wrong material can lead to fragile parts, Неудачные отпечатки, or parts that don’t work for their intended use. Это руководство разрушает common materials for 3D printing, их ключевые черты, and how to match them to your project—so you can avoid mistakes and get the best results every time.
1. An Overview of Common 3D Printing Materials
3D printing materials range from easy – к – use plastics to high – strength metals. Each has unique advantages, making them suited for different tasks. Let’s start with a quick comparison table to see how they stack up:
| Материал | Тип | Ключевые черты | Лучше всего для | Печать сложности |
| АБС | Инженерный пластик | Good mechanical strength, нагревать – устойчивый | Complex structural models, игрушки | Умеренный |
| Плата | Bio – based Plastic | Degradable, легко печатать, Низкий запах | Environmentally friendly prototypes, декор | Легкий |
| ПК | Инженерный пластик | Высокая сила, прозрачный, нагревать – устойчивый | Прозрачные части, высокий – temp components | Умеренный – Жесткий |
| Нейлон | Инженерный пластик | Носить – устойчивый, сильный, гибкий | Функциональные прототипы, end – use parts | Умеренный |
| Петг | Copolyester | Легко печатать (как PLA), долговечный (как абс) | Химический – устойчивые части, контейнеры | Легкий – Умеренный |
| ТПУ | Elastic Polymer | Мягкий, эластичный, rubbery texture | Телефонные чехлы, прокладки, Гибкие части | Умеренный |
| Металлические порошки (НАПРИМЕР., нержавеющая сталь, титан) | Металл | Ультра – сильный, нагревать – устойчивый | Аэрокосмические части, Медицинские имплантаты | Жесткий |
2. Deep Dive into Each Material: Solving Common User Problems
Let’s take a closer look at each material, focusing on the problems they solve and real – world examples.
2.1 Плата: The Best Choice for Beginners and Eco – Friendly Projects
Плата (Полилактановая кислота) is made from cornstarch or other plant resources—so it’s биоразлагаемый (breaks down over time) and has a low odor when printing.
Why Choose PLA?
- Легко печатать: It melts at a low temperature (190–220 ° C.) and doesn’t warp (сгибать) much, making it perfect for new users. A beginner can print a PLA keychain on their first try without struggling with setup.
- Эко – Дружелюбно: If you’re making items like compost bins or temporary decor (НАПРИМЕР., holiday ornaments), PLA is a great choice because it won’t harm the environment when discarded.
Common Problem Solved: “I’m new to 3D printing—what material won’t frustrate me?”
PLA’s low melting point and minimal warping mean fewer failed prints. You won’t need to spend hours adjusting the printer or adding a heated enclosure (unlike ABS).
2.2 АБС: Strong and Heat – Resistant for Functional Parts
АБС (Акрилонитрил бутадиен стирол) is a classic engineering plastic used in products like Lego bricks. It’s stronger and more heat – resistant than PLA.
Why Choose ABS?
- Хорошие механические свойства: It can handle more stress than PLA, so it’s ideal for parts that need to be tough—like a custom toy car chassis or a replacement handle for a tool.
- Тепловая стабильность: It can withstand temperatures up to 90°C, so it works for parts that might get warm (НАПРИМЕР., a small fan cover).
Common Problem Solved: “My PLA part broke when I used it—what’s stronger?”
ABS’s higher strength means it won’t crack or snap as easily as PLA. Just note: ABS needs a heated enclosure (Чтобы предотвратить деформацию) and has a stronger odor, so use it in a well – вентилируемая область.
2.3 Петг: The “Best of Both Worlds” Material
Петг (Полиэтилентерефталатный гликоль) combines the easy printing of PLA with the durability of ABS. It’s also chemical – устойчивый (won’t dissolve in water or mild cleaners).
Why Choose PETG?
- Balanced Traits: It’s as easy to print as PLA (no enclosure needed) but as tough as ABS. A user making a water bottle holder can use PETG—it won’t warp during printing and will hold up to daily use.
- Химическая устойчивость: It’s perfect for parts that come into contact with liquids, like a soap dispenser nozzle or a plant pot with drainage holes.
Пример: A coffee shop owner needs a custom tray to hold cups. PETG is a great fit— it’s easy to print, strong enough to hold cups, and can be wiped clean with water.
2.4 ТПУ: Soft and Elastic for Flexible Parts
ТПУ (Термопластичный полиуретан) is a soft, rubbery material—think of it like a flexible phone case material.
Why Choose TPU?
- Эластичность: It can stretch and bounce back, so it’s used for parts that need flexibility—like a custom phone grip, a gasket for a lid, or a toy ball.
- Shock Absorption: If you’re printing a protective case for a small electronic device (НАПРИМЕР., a MP3 player), TPU will absorb drops and prevent damage.
Common Problem Solved: “I need a flexible part—can 3D printing do that?”
Да! TPU is designed for flexibility. Just make sure your printer has a direct – drive extruder (most modern printers do) to handle the soft material.
2.5 Металлические порошки: Ультра – Strong for Industrial Use
Metal powders (Как нержавеющая сталь, Титановый сплав) are used in industrial 3D printing (НАПРИМЕР., Селективное лазерное плавление, СЛМ). They’re not for home printers but are critical for high – Производительность.
Why Choose Metal Powders?
- Высокая сила: Titanium alloy parts are used in aerospace (НАПРИМЕР., airplane engine components) because they’re strong but lightweight.
- Биосовместимость: Stainless steel and titanium are safe for medical use—doctors use 3D – printed titanium hip implants that fit a patient’s body perfectly.
Пример: An aerospace engineer needs a lightweight, strong part for a rocket. 3D printing with titanium powder creates a part that’s 50% lighter than a metal part made with traditional machining.
3. Как выбрать правильный материал: A Step – к – Step Guide
С таким количеством вариантов, how do you pick the right one? Следуйте этим 3 шаги:
- Define Your Project’s Needs: Спросите себя:
- Will the part be flexible or rigid? (Choose TPU for flexible, ABS/PC for rigid.)
- Will it be exposed to heat or chemicals? (ABS/PC for heat, PETG for chemicals.)
- Is eco – friendliness important? (Choose PLA.)
- Consider Your Printer’s Capabilities:
- Home printers work best with PLA, Петг, и Абс (with an enclosure).
- Industrial printers are needed for metal powders.
- Think About Cost:
- PLA is the cheapest (вокруг \(20- )30 за катушку).
- Metal powders are the most expensive (hundreds of dollars per kilogram).
Перспектива Yigu Technology
В Yigu Technology, Мы верим common materials for 3D printing are the key to unlocking project success. Many users struggle to match materials to their needs—e.g., using PLA for a heat – exposed part that fails. Our solutions include material selection tools that ask users about their project (НАПРИМЕР., “Will it get warm?”) and recommend the right option. We also offer test spools of PLA, Петг, and ABS so users can try before buying. As 3D tech grows, we’ll add more materials (НАПРИМЕР., bio – based PETG) to meet eco and industrial needs, helping users turn ideas into strong, функциональные части.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
1. Can I use PLA for parts that get wet?
PLA is water – resistant but not waterproof. It will absorb small amounts of water over time, which can make it brittle. For parts that stay wet (НАПРИМЕР., a fish tank ornament), use PETG instead—it’s fully waterproof.
2. Do I need a heated enclosure for ABS?
Да! ABS warps easily when the temperature changes during printing. A heated enclosure keeps the air around the print warm, предотвращение деформации. Without one, your ABS part might have a curved or cracked surface.
3. Is TPU hard to print with a home printer?
No—most modern home printers (with a direct – drive extruder) can print TPU easily. Just lower the print speed (to 20–30mm/s) and use a flexible build plate (НАПРИМЕР., Пей) to keep the TPU from sticking too much.