What materials can be used for 3D printing

Cheaper 3D printers work with a narrower range of materials than more expensive ones. 

However, 3D printinghas evolved very quickly over the years, thus also expanding the range of materials with which it is possible to print, especially in the case of professional printers for industrial use.

So, to date, 3D printers allow you to choose between different materials in addition to plastics and thermoplastics, which remain among the most used.

In this article we list the most used materials and more.

Let's discover the enormous possibilities of 3D printing.

Plastic Materials

They are the most used and easily available even for the most affordable printers. Plastic materials such as PLA, ABS, nylon and alumide are among the most popular, also thanks to the contained temperatures necessary for modelling. 

In particular for FDM printers (the most popular ones), the materials available are:

• ABS;

• ASA;

• PLA;

• PET-G;

• PP;

• Nylon;

• TPU and TPE;

• PC

• Composite materials with carbon fibres or glass.

Metallic materials

Widely used by metallurgical companies. In this case we are talking not only about steel but also gold, silver and other alloys very often used by jewellers and artisans.

Among the most used are:

• Aluminium;

• Aluminium alloys;

• Gallio;

• Steel;

• Stainless steel;

• Maraging steel;

• Titanium;

• Titanium alloys;

• Cobalt chrome;

• Nickel chromium-based alloys;

• Precious metals.

Paper

Also called 3D-Papers, 3D printers are able to shape paper and reproduce models with low environmental impact.

These are water-soluble matrix paper-based composite materials. 

This material is also usually used with FDM 3D printers and has been on the market for about thirty years. However, 3D printing on paper has only recently found its fame, thanks also to the great theme of sustainability.

The most common applications today are: corrugated cardboard filters for vacuum cleaners, scrubbers, thermal packaging and much more.

In general, this material is increasingly being used in industrial production, thanks also to new European policies in favour of sustainable and ecological products. 

Pottery

They are materials that you will hardly be able to model with a cheap printer since they have only been added to the list recently. 

3D printers suitable for this type of material work using the LDM (Liquid Deposition Medeling) technique, able to model fluid-dense materials such as clay and ceramics.

For these materials the 3D printer can work for powder assembly, for stereolithography or for extrusion. 

Specifically, it is important to know that there are two types of technical ceramics: oxides and non-oxides.

In the first case there is the presence of metal oxides of aluminium, zirconia, and silica, while in the one without oxides we find silicon carbide, silicon boride or silicon nitride.

In general, ceramics are often chosen to create objects resistant even to high temperatures, as in the case of components for the automotive or aerospace sector. 

Moreover, in addition to ceramics, it is also possible to shape clay and porcelain, sand, cement, wood, and stone.

However, given the recent introduction of this type of material, there are still technical limitations that the technology will have to overcome in the coming years.

Organic materials

These are materials composed of cells, used to reproduce skin, tissues, tendons and even organs. 

This type of modelling takes place by depositing the layers through a string created ad hoc on the basis of the project. 

This type of technique is also quite recent, so you have to wait to see the possible applications at an industrial level.

Conclusions

In this article we have seen the materials most used by the 3D printer and those recently introduced thanks to new technologies. 

In general, 3D printers are highly sought after by both hobbyists and companies, as they allow great versatility of materials and applications. 

Thanks to continuous technological evolution, the list of materials suitable for this type of processing has expanded considerably in recent years, also supporting the medical-scientific sector as in the case of 3D Bioprinting printing.