Strength is one of the most important and desired filament characteristics when it comes to 3D printing. You wouldn’t want your project to break and collapse easily. The best way to avoid such situations is by getting the strongest 3D printer filament. But you should note and remember that not all materials are made equal—some are stronger than others.
That’s why this article takes a look at the factors that truly determine filament strength. Most importantly, find out which printing materials are your strongest options. Learn how and why they’re considered strong and determine which would work best for you.
Different Measurements of Filament Strength
Strength can mean different things, especially when it comes to printing materials. To understand filament strength, here are the standard strength metrics:
Tensile Strength
The material’s ability to resist breakage and deformation when it’s stretched or pulled. Its value is determined through a tensile test. This is where the material is pulled apart. The exact degree of tension at which the material breaks is its strength. A high value means the material can handle a great deal of tensile stress before it breaks.
Flexural Strength
This measures the filament’s resistance to bending, fracture, and permanent distortion under load. This is an important metric, especially if the printed part is subjected to bending or flexing forces, like a bracket or beam. High flexural strength means the material is less likely to deform or break when subjected to bending loads.
Impact Strength/Resistance
This is synonymous with the filament’s toughness. It indicates the material’s ability to absorb sudden impact and shock without breaking or cracking. It’s an important metric and material property if you want to print objects like children’s toys or safety equipment.
Tear Strength
This is the material’s ability to resist tearing and its propagation when it starts. For your reference, it’s an important metric when it comes to things like fabric and other flexible materials. This is to check if you need a filament for applications where flexibility and durability are essential.
Chemical Resistance
If your 3D project will likely be exposed to chemicals, this is an important strength metric. It measures the filament’s ability to maintain its properties when exposed to harsh chemicals, like acids and solvents.
UV Resistance
This is important for projects that would be used for outdoor applications. It’s the filament’s ability to withstand the damaging effects of UV exposure from sunlight. Take note that constant exposure to UV radiation can weaken the material. This can cause the printed parts to fail.
Temperature Resistance
This is the material’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures. It’s how it can keep its properties without warping or softening. 3D printing filaments with high heat resistance can perform better under harsh conditions.
6 Strongest 3D Printer Filament Materials
Below are the strongest 3D printer filaments you can use for different printing applications:
1. Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate (PC) is considered one of the strongest printing materials. This is in terms of toughness, impact strength, and temperature resistance. But at the same time, it offers transparent and lightweight properties. Its tensile strength can reach as high as 70 MPa. Meanwhile, its temperature resistance can reach as high as 140°C and as low as -20°C.
It has good electrical properties, high impact strength, dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and flexibility. This is why it’s used to make medical instruments, protective equipment, and many functional prototypes. But take note that it can be a little complicated to use for 3D printing. This is because it needs a high extrusion and build plate temperature and can absorb moisture.
2. Nylon
Nylon is a tough filament because it is very strong when you pull on it and when something hits it. 3D-printed objects made from nylon are known for their strength and wear resistance. Its tensile strength can reach over 80 MPa. It’s also tough and flexible enough to hold a good amount of load. Plus, although it’s not as robust as polycarbonate, nylon is easier to print. This type of material is also cheaper.
However, one of the challenges with using nylon is that it’s known to be hygroscopic and prone to absorbing moisture. This can result in various printing issues, like the formation of bubbles in the nozzle. The material and printed objects are also susceptible to warping once they cool down.
3. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is one of the earliest and most widely used thermoplastics for 3D printing. This is because of its versatility and low cost. At the same time, this filament is resistant to water, heat, and fatigue. Some studies have also found that it has good tensile strength. This makes it popular in technical, engineering, and at-home applications.
Additionally, it’s impact-resistant, so many people use it to print high-functioning 3D parts of their projects. Plus, you can post-process ABS with acetone to create a smooth finish. However, on the downside, warping can be an issue with ABS.
4. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
The thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a flexible filament. It’s known for being resilient and elastic. This material can withstand significant abrasions, impacts, and even chemicals. It’s suitable for shock-absorbing objects and functional parts, like protective enclosures.
But, it has a lower tensile strength—about 50 MPa—than the other materials. This makes them quite unsuitable for printing mechanical parts. Plus, because of its flexible nature, it can clog the 3D printer nozzles. This means that slow printing should be prioritized to avoid hot-end jams.
5. PolyetherEtherKetone (PEEK)
PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic with a tensile strength that can reach as high as 100 MPa. It’s compared to having a similar strength-to-weight ratio, with a Young's modulus, to human bone. This is one primary reason why PEEK filaments can be used to print objects for medical applications.
It’s also lightweight and has a high temperature resistance, making it suitable for aerospace applications as well. But, take note that PEEK is expensive and might need a special 3D printing setup. This is why it’s used for professional and industrial applications most of the time.
6. Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber can increase the strength of other filaments, especially polycarbonate and nylon. Carbon fibers are embedded in the main filament to increase its hardness and abrasion resistance. Plus, objects printed with carbon fiber filaments are lighter and stiffer. This makes them ideal for printing machine parts and structural components. You can use it to work on projects like a 3D-printed drone frame and other support structures.
Take note that its tensile strength alone is quite like that of regular nylon filaments. Also, because of its hardness, it’s recommended to use stainless steel or ruby-tipped nozzles when printing. This is because regular bronze nozzles will wear out fast. Using it can also clog the nozzles so it’s necessary to print at low speeds.
Conclusion
Different 3D printer filament materials have different strength properties. Some are stronger in terms of other strength metrics. The strongest material for you depends on the type and level of strength your project needs. If it needs to withstand sudden impacts, you need a filament with high toughness or impact strength value.
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