The strength of 3D printed parts depends on several factors, including the material used, the structural design, part orientation, and the printing process. Strength can vary significantly with 3D materials and the printing process. For example, ABS plastic is a standard 3D printing material that is strong and impact-resistant but not as strong as metals such as aluminum or steel.
Thermoplastics like Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) are two of the most frequently used thermoplastics in 3D printing. However, the most durable parts use thermoplastics of industrial grade like Polycarbonate, ABS, or Nylon. These materials are generally stronger than the PLA and other plastic filaments used in consumer-grade 3D printers. Industrial-grade thermoplastics are extremely heat-resistant and can produce parts with great detail and durability.
Other factors include the 3D printer settings and post-processing methods. These may include:
The percentage of a printed par that is solid is known as the infill percentage. The strength of 3D printed parts depends on several factors, including the material used, the structural design, part orientation, and the printing process. The printing process and 3D materials can have a significant impact on strength. For example, ABS plastic is a standard 3D printing material that is strong and impact-resistant but not as strong as metals such as aluminum or steel.
A printed part with 0% infill would be completely hollow, while a 100% infill would be completely solid.
Layer Height: Layer height refers to the thickness of each printed layer. This thickness directly impacts the product’s strength as thinner layers will produce a more robust product, while thicker layers tend to yield a weaker product.
Part Orientation: Part orientation is surprisingly more important than one might think. The bond between the layers is vital to the overall product strength, so one must consider the unique product stresses and performance requirements to optimize the orientation and product strength.Post Processing – Techniques such as sanding, painting, and coating typically improve the strength of the 3D-printed object. These operations fill in any irregularities in the product surface.
Print Speed – Slower print speeds produce stronger products, allowing optimal heating and curing.
Shell Thickness – The typical 3D-printed part has a shell thickness of only 1.0 – 1.5 mm. Increasing the thickness can significantly improve a part’s tensile and impact strength.
The Strength of Material Used to Create 3D Printed Parts
Material composition is vital to product strength. The most commonly used materials for 3D printing are plastic, metal, and ceramic. Generally, plastic materials used in 3D printing are not as strong as metals and ceramics, but they are strong enough for a variety of applications.
Polycarbonate is generally regarded as the strongest 3D printed filament, despite the fact that product strength can be determined in a variety of ways. The numerous strength measurements should be considered to optimize part production.
These include:
Tensile Strength – This term refers to the material stiffness and the maximum stress required before the part breaks or deforms.
The strongest materials for tensile strength include:
Polycarbonate
PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol)
PETT (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
PEEK (Poly Ether Ether ketone)
Carbon Fiber
Elongation (Ductility) – Elongation is the extent a material can be plastically deformed. This term is also called ductility and measures with similar equipment used to evaluate tensile strength. A high ductility level refers to a material that can be stretched or elongated into a thin wire shape without breaking. A low ductility indicates that the material will fracture if deformed under a heavy load.
The materials with the highest levels of elongations are:
Flexible TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
Flexible TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Hardness – Hardness is generally separated into nine categories ranging from A to K on the Rockwell scale, a commonly used method for measuring the hardness of materials used in machining.
Carbon Fiber is one of the materials with the highest levels of hardness. Nylon
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Impact Resistance – Impact resistance measures the resistance to deformation or breakage when subjected to a sudden force or impact.
Materials with the best impact resistance include:
Polycarbonate
Nylon
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Chemical Resistance – Chemical resistance is the ability of a material to counter degradation or damage when exposed to certain chemicals or chemical environments. This measurement varies by chemical, specific environment, ambient temperature, and different types of stresses.
The materials with the best chemical resistance include:
PP (Polypropylene)
PA (Polyamide, nylon)
Polyethylene, or PE PEEK (Polyetheretherketone)
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is similar to Teflon, PVC Polyvinylidene fluoride, or PVDF. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Comparison of Flexibility: Flexibility is the capacity of a material to change its original shape without compromising its structural integrity and return to its original form. Materials that are most adaptable are: Flexible TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
Flexible TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Nylon
Polycarbonate
Heat Resistance – Material heat resistance measures a material’s ability to withstand high temperatures without being damaged or degraded
