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3D Printing Filaments

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
ABS30SI1

ABS30SI1

MG Chemicals

FILAMENT SILVER ABS 0.112" 1KG

15
RM-AB0124

RM-AB0124

LulzBot

FILAMENT YELLOW ABS 0.112" 1KG

3
PS1012TQ

PS1012TQ

Kimya

KIMYA ABS-EC 1.75MM 500G BLACK

25
RM-MS0020

RM-MS0020

LulzBot

FILAMENT PURPLE TPC 750G

0
RM-NY0016

RM-NY0016

LulzBot

FILAMENT WHITE TPC 0.118" 1KG

11
MSFG0210

MSFG0210

Keene Village Plastics

727559100615 1KG SPOOL PLA 2.85

12
RM-TE0047

RM-TE0047

LulzBot

GRASS NINJAFLEX TPU FILAMENT, 1.

0
RM-TE0111

RM-TE0111

LulzBot

SUN NINJAFLEX TPU FILAMENT, 3MM,

0
PM70501

PM70501

Polymaker

POLYMAX PC (2.85MM, 3000G) BLACK

0
RM-AB0110

RM-AB0110

LulzBot

FILAMENT GREEN ABS 0.118" 1KG

4
FG0354

FG0354

Keene Village Plastics

PETG 1.75MM PEARL LUMINA GREEN 1

12
PE2006TQ

PE2006TQ

Kimya

KIMYA TPC-91A 2.85MM 750G GREY

25
MSFG0325

MSFG0325

Keene Village Plastics

727559100448 1KG SPOOL ABS 2.85

9
PM70634

PM70634

Polymaker

POLYLITE PETG (2.85MM, 1000G) WH

0
PT1010TQ

PT1010TQ

Kimya

KIMYA PETG-S 1.75MM 750G CLEAR R

25
RM-AB0149

RM-AB0149

LulzBot

IC3D ABS ORANGE, 1.75MM FILAMENT

0
RM-TE0011

RM-TE0011

LulzBot

FILAMENT SILVER TPU 0.118" 750G

0
FG0169

FG0169

Keene Village Plastics

ABS 1.75MM RED 1KG REEL

12
ABS30RE1

ABS30RE1

MG Chemicals

FILAMENT RED ABS 0.112" 1KG

6
RM-PE0020

RM-PE0020

LulzBot

IC3D PETG, WHITE, 1.75MM FILAMEN

6

3D Printing Filaments

1. Overview

3D printing filaments are thermoplastic materials used as feedstock in fused deposition modeling (FDM) and fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers. These polymer-based materials melt at specific temperatures and solidify into complex geometries through layer-by-layer deposition. As core consumables in additive manufacturing, filaments enable rapid prototyping, small-batch production, and customized manufacturing across industries. Their material properties directly determine printed parts' mechanical strength, thermal resistance, and functional performance.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

TypeFunctional CharacteristicsApplication Examples
PLA (Polylactic Acid)Biodegradable, low warping, 60-65 C heat resistancePrototyping, educational models, food packaging
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)High impact resistance, 100 C heat resistance, requires heated bedIndustrial enclosures, automotive parts
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)Chemical resistance, food-safe, moderate flexibilityMechanical parts, medical devices
NylonHigh strength-to-weight ratio, abrasion resistanceGears, bearings, functional tools
TPU/TPE (Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Elastomer)Flexible (Shore 60A-95A), vibration dampingFootwear midsoles, protective cases
PC (Polycarbonate)Optical clarity, 110 C heat resistance, requires 260 C+ printingAerospace components, safety equipment

3. Structure and Composition

Typical 3D printing filaments feature a semi-crystalline or amorphous polymer matrix with diameter precision of 0.02mm (1.75mm or 2.85mm standards). Key structural elements include:

  • Base polymer resin (e.g., PLA, ABS)
  • Plasticizers for flexibility control
  • Stabilizers for thermal degradation resistance
  • Pigments for coloration (optional)
  • Fillers (glass/carbon fibers, minerals) for property enhancement

Advanced composite filaments incorporate 5-40% by weight of reinforcing materials like carbon nanotubes or metal powders.

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterImportanceTypical Range
Tensile StrengthDetermines load-bearing capacity20-100 MPa
Elongation at BreakIndicates ductility3-300%
Heat Deflection TemperatureThermal stability threshold50-150 C
Shrinkage RateAffects dimensional accuracy0.2-2.0%
Moisture AbsorptionImpacts print quality consistency0.1-1.5% @ 50% RH
Melt Flow IndexCorrelates with extrusion performance2-20 g/10min (190 C)

5. Application Fields

Primary industries utilizing filament-based 3D printing include:

  • Aerospace: Stratasys Fortus systems for UAV components
  • Healthcare: Formnext-certified medical guides using PEEK filaments
  • Automotive: BMW's customized jigs with carbon fiber-reinforced nylon
  • Consumer Goods: Nike's midsole prototypes with TPU materials
  • Education: STEM training using desktop FDM printers

Typical equipment: Prusa i3 MK3S, Creality Ender-3, industrial systems from 3D Systems and Materialise.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

ManufacturerRepresentative ProductKey Feature
StratasysAntero 800PEPEKK-based aerospace-grade material
3D VerkstanHT-PLAHeat-treated PLA with 120 C heat resistance
EssentiumFast TPU 80AHigh-speed printing (500mm/s) flexible filament
ArkemaSarten MetamorphHigh-temperature resistant PA11 for industrial applications
ColorFabbnGen FlexRecreus-branded engineering-grade TPE

7. Selection Recommendations

Key considerations for filament selection:

  • Mechanical requirements (static vs dynamic loading)
  • Environmental exposure (temperature, UV, chemicals)
  • Printer compatibility (nozzle temperature, enclosed chamber)
  • Cost-performance balance (standard vs premium materials)
  • Regulatory compliance (FDA, UL, REACH certifications)
  • Post-processing needs (annealing, vapor smoothing)

Case Study: Automotive ducting applications often select PETG for its balance of chemical resistance and formability versus nylon's superior wear resistance at higher cost.

8. Industry Trends

Market developments include:

  • Biodegradable composites (PLA/PHA blends) addressing sustainability
  • Conductive filaments (graphene-infused ABS) for EMI shielding
  • AI-driven material property prediction platforms
  • High-temperature polymers (PEEK, PEKK) for metal replacement
  • Recycling systems for industrial filament waste streams

According to SmarTech Analysis, the global filament market will reach $3.2B by 2027 with 18.4% CAGR, driven by production-grade materials adoption.

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