Green filament vs Lime filament

What’s the difference between ABS and PLA filaments?

Posted on by Cherie Gillette

When you are looking at 3D printing you will need to work out what type of material you want your models/designs to be printed out of and will need to make the decision between using ABS and PLA filaments. Both have benefits for different types of applications.
ABS filaments are strong, flexible and have greater machinability making them ideal for use in professional applications including being the preferred filament plastic for engineers. The one reason this may be reconsidered is the small because its base is petroleum making it unsuitable for some applications. You will need to have a specialist printer that has a heated print bed as other printers without this will be unable to meet the specifications reliably.
The ABS filaments as polymers allow it to be moulded into different forms giving it properties that are suitable for many professional applications. It’s extremely strong and it has mild flexibility when compared to PLA which makes it ideal for use in creating pieces that need to interlock. This capability makes the finished product easier for people to work with. It can also be sanded and processed by machinery and even welded with just a little acetone. For a smooth finish just a little dip or brush with acetone is all that is needed and you can get a high gloss finish. It can also be recycled making it more environmentally friendly as less waste is created from its use. The ABS is most definitely the preferred filament for use by engineers and those that need to make mechanical parts as the properties suit the needs perfectly.
PLA can be created from another of processes using plants including potatoes and corn which is considered to be better for the earth in comparison to using petroleum based filaments like ABS. Because of its properties some say that it can be used to make packaging for foods however we don’t recommend this. If you are looking for food safe filaments we recommend PET filament. PLA can also be composted at special facilities. Although it can be composted this has to be done at a specialist facility so you don’t have to worry about it degrading in normal conditions. The finished product is naturally can be semi transparent but it can be coloured so that you can get the finished result you want and even add opacity when needed. It is stronger than ABS which can make it harder to work with if you wish to make anything interlocking such as pin joints. Once printed the models will be glossier without the need for any further application of substances. It is harder to work with but it is possible to sand and machine.
Unfortunately the melting point is too low for it to be used in any applications where heat is needed. Just being left out in the heat from the sun can warp the shape. That said if you are looking for a filament material that is available in different colours and opaque/translucency levels with a flossy finish it could be suitable for use within the home or business. With more and more people looking for renewable resources it is a desirable material for smaller objects and decorations so long as not exposed to heat. It can be printed at a higher speed for efficiency and has sharper corners. This makes it perfect for those that want to use it for educational purposes and even crafts.

Blue 1kg 1.75 wh-small

The advantages of using ABS filament for 3D printing

Posted on by Cherie Gillette

While there are now many different choices for 3D printer filament, there are two that are most commonly used. ABS or PLA. Both are known as thermoplastics, which means they become soft and pliant when heated. They turn back to their solid state when cooled.

This article will discuss the advantages of using ABS for 3D printing.

For a thermoplastic material to prove viable for 3D printing, it must first pass three different tests. Initial extrusion into plastic filament, extrusion and trace binding during the 3D printing process and appropriateness for end use.

To pass all of three of these rigorous tests, the material’s properties must be desirable to the formation into raw 3D feedstock. It must then process well and properly while being printed and be visually pleasing and make parts that are physically accurate. Last, the properties of the thermoplastic, should match the intended application. If that application is supposed to be strong, it needs to be strong as well. If it is supposed to be durable, glossy or have other specific properties, the thermoplastic must meet that criteria. In some instances, a thermoplastic material will pass one test with such grandness, that it makes the extra effort to help it pass the other tests to be highly worth it. For instance, if it stands up extremely well to durability or strength, it is more valuable to go the extra mile and work with it to get the other standards met.

ABS does best if stored in a sealed container that prevents the absorption of atmospheric moisture. While this is best for the long-term, it should also be done for short term, thus giving it the best chance of working properly on whatever application it is needed for. Now, if you forget and leave it out for a few days without putting it in a container, it’s not ruined, but leaving it longer can change its quality. When ABS becomes saturated with outside moisture, it can create bubbles and spurt from the nozzle when printing, making the part intended very poor quality. You can easily restore it to a dry state by using a food dehydrater.

While using ABS for 3D Printing, you will undoubtedly notice the smell of hot plastic. For best results, ensure that there is proper and adequate ventilation in small rooms, make sure your ABS is pure and non-contaminated and that your extruder is heated to the correct temperature.

The accuracy of ABS in making parts is great, the only problem you may experience is the ABS tendency to curl upwards when coming into direct contact with the 3D printing beds. Heating the surface and making sure it’s very smooth, will be very useful in stemming this curling anomaly. However, you will have some 3D printing beds that just simply cannot be heated and in that instance, you should switch to a different thermoplastic.

ABS or PLA 3D printing filament

ABS or PLA 3D printer filament? Which one should you use?

Posted on by Cherie Gillette

There are two main types of filament used in 3D printing. PLA (Polylactic Acid) and ABS(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).
PLA is the most commonly used for desktop 3D printing. It’s the one used as a default in 3D printing machines. For obvious reasons, it is the it’s quite useful in a full range of 3D printing projects. Reasoning behind this, the PLA 3D filament has minimal odor, has low-warp qualities and does not required the bed to be heated.
The PLA 3D filament is a thermoplastic polyester. Created from such organic materials as cornstarch, sugarcane and tapioca roots, it’s made more widely acceptable because it will break down and bio-degrade at the end of its lifecycle. The advantage of this? Anything made of PLA, such as bottles or 3D printed items, will bio-degrade in the ocean between 6 months and 2 years. A short length of time compared to other plastics that can take anywhere from 500 to 1000 years. Keep in mind, however, that products created with the PLA 3D filament, such as toys, containers, or other such applications, you can view your PLA 3D filament as a type of iron. It will last virtually forever, if kept inside in the conditions intended. However, if left outside in the environment, to be rained on, it will rust and make it quite unusable.
PLA plastic is used in many applications. From toys to containers. Also biodegradable medical pieces. It comes in a variety of grades, medical, scientific, food safe and then the type used for 3D printing. The PLA is mixed with other plastics that make it suitable for 3D printing.
ABS is a common thermoplastic that is popular for injection molding applications. If you are new to using ABS, you will find it a little tricky to work with in the beginning. It is a strong and heat resistant 3D filament with a great processing option. ABS is a 3D filament that needs to have a heated bed for the application to work successfully. You will need a binder or adhesive of some sort, which is as easy as a glue stick, hairspray or a slurry made from ABS. ABS needs to be kept at an even temperature when working with it, as it can come out a bit bubbly and disrupt the visual quality of the finished piece. It can tend to curl upwards if not laid on a hot enough surface. To combat this, make sure your surface is the right temp, is clean of any and all dust and debris, and is flat without any marring.
Compared to PLA, ABS is less brittle and can withstand higher temperatures and more use. A downside of ABS is the odor emitted while printing. Most people are not bothered by the smell, unless in a tight enclosed space. So you will want to make sure that you have adequate ventilation when printing with this product. This is because ABS is created from non-organic materials and creates a more noticeable “burning plastic” smell when used to make parts.
So which is better to use. It honestly depends largely on the project you are doing and how long you want it to last.