3D Materials

As September comes to a close, we get ever closer to the next installation from our global events brand, ADDITIV. Be sure to join on October 5th from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM EDT (3:00 – 7:30 PM CEST) for…

Materials for additive manufacturing are increasingly varied and vast, and depending on the target technologies and applications they can be used in a number of different forms. Materials research is also an increasingly important focus for manufacturing companies some of…

If you want to print objects with complex geometries, steep overhangs, long bridges and cavities, you cannot avoid support structures. With powder-based printing technologies, these are not required, as the powder itself is able to support the printed structure. However,…

In recent years, composite 3D printing has become increasingly popular. One of the youngest branches of 3D printing, this technology is now used by many players in additive manufacturing, such as Impossible Objects, a company specializing in the field. In…

Using a 3D printer, whether for professional or hobbyist purposes, can be an exciting journey filled with surprises. However, not all surprises are positive; some may present challenges. We have previously discussed common printing issues like stringing, ghosting, and warping,…

Over the past few years, high performance thermoplastics have become a widely discussed topic in 3D printing with the market for them growing rapidly. These materials are attractive in the sector for their strength and lightness and there are a…

In recent years, the use of high-performance thermoplastics has become increasingly important in the 3D printing industry, as the technology moves away from rapid prototyping to the production of finished parts. As a result, the requirements for 3D printing materials…

Following the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age, we find ourselves in the Plastic Age. In the thought-provoking 2006 documentary “Plastic Planet,” director Werner Boote examines the pervasive presence of plastic in all aspects of our lives.…

Over the years, additive manufacturing has grown exponentially. And currently there are many different 3D printing technologies that allow objects to be built depositing of layers one by one. At first, printing materials were scarce, but gradually and through research…

HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) is a thermoplastic polymer based on a mixture of polystyrene and polybutadiene rubber. Many popular materials in 3D printing are particularly characterized by their resistance to chemical solvents. However, in the case of HIPS, the solubility…

PVA, or polyvinyl alcohol, is a material widely used in the 3D printing industry due to its ability to dissolve in water. In particular, it is used for the creation of print supports when using FDM dual extruder machines. This…

A plastic is a material made from synthetic or semi-synthetic compounds that is malleable (capable of changing its shape). Most plastics on the market are entirely synthetic and are commonly derived from petroleum chemicals. However, given the growing concern for…