Plastic is the most common raw material for 3D printing, and it is highly diverse and versatile. Most 3D printing and additive manufacturing processes can use plastics, including Sheet Lamination, Material Extrusion (for example, FDM or FFF), Material Jetting, Binder Jetting, Vat Photopolymerization, and Powder Bed Fusion. The following are some of the most common types of plastic used in 3D printing:
- Polylactic Acid (PLA): PLA is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable sources like corn starch. It is one of the most eco-friendly options for 3D printers.
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): ABS is a strong, slightly flexible plastic that extrudes cleanly at between 220° and 240° Celsius. It is one of the most commonly used industrial/commercial plastics.
- Polyvinyl Alcohol Plastic (PVA): PVA is a water-soluble plastic that is most commonly used as a glue, thickener, or packaging film. It is also used as a support material in 3D printing.
Other plastics used in 3D printing include High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), Polypropylene (PP), and specialized plastics that are used for specific properties rather than for general 3D printing.
