3D Materials

A small electrostatic discharge can damage an electronic component. This phenomenon occurs when static electricity accumulated on one object transfers to another, sometimes in the form of a small spark. Although this is usually harmless to people, it can affect…

If you’ve spent any time around 3D printers, you’ve probably heard of PETG, short for polyethylene terephthalate glycol. It’s a modified version of PET, the plastic used in water bottles. PETG sits halfway between PLA and ABS: it’s almost as…

Damp filament is a familiar problem in FDM printing. Hygroscopic materials such as PA, PETG and TPU pull water out of the air, which shows up as popping during extrusion, stringing, weak layer adhesion and inconsistent surface finish. The usual…

Polycarbonate (PC) is a family of thermoplastic polymers defined by the carbonate groups in their molecular structure. Engineering-grade PC is prized for its exceptional impact resistance, and certain grades are optically transparent, combining strength, durability and clarity in a single…

From the 3D printer to the couture runway. Jean Paul Gaultier turned to additive manufacturing for five looks in its Autumn/Winter 2026-27 haute couture collection, shown in Paris in July. The collection was Duran Lantink’s first couture outing as creative…

3D printing filament is a fundamental component of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and other extrusion-based 3D printing processes. Whether you’re a hobbyist, engineer or manufacturer, selecting the right filament is crucial to achieving strong, high-quality prints. Factors such as strength,…

In critical applications, fire safety is non-negotiable—and 3D printing is rising to the challenge. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in fire- and flame-retardant materials tailored for additive manufacturing, available as filaments, resins and powders. These materials are designed…

For many Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) users, moisture is an invisible but persistent challenge. It can lead to stringing, weak layer adhesion, rough surfaces, and inconsistent print quality. Rather than requiring users to dry filament separately before every print, SUNLU’s…

You might not be familiar with curcumin, but you certainly know turmeric: the vibrant spice native to Southeast Asia. Curcumin is the active chemical compound within turmeric responsible for giving it that iconic bright yellow hue. Extracted from the Curcuma…

Sometimes, you may want a part to be transparent for aesthetic reasons, and other times, transparency is a functional necessity. In either case,  3D printing’s flexibility in terms of design, materials and processes makes it possible to create parts with…

At RAPID + TCT 2026 this year, Montana Mixers is drawing attention to a part of additive manufacturing that often goes overlooked: how materials are processed before they ever reach the printer. Its VROM technology (Vertical Resonant Oscillatory Mixing) oscillates…

3D printer plastic is the most widely used material category in additive manufacturing, available in filament, powder, and resin form across a range of technologies. The 3D printing plastics market is projected to grow from USD $2.36 billion in 2025…