this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2024
6 points (87.5% liked)

3DPrinting

15651 readers
172 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: [email protected] or [email protected]

There are CAD communities available at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I found a small length of filament in the parts bin. I don't know what it is, and nobody else here does, or remembers ordering it. I'm pretty sure it's a sample that was sent by Prusa when we ordered the printer, and it's probably not a special material.

It's feels "gummy" and a lot softer than PLA, but not really rubbery either. And I tried printing something with it at 230C as if it was PLA and it's clearly not hot enough: it's able to flow out of the nozzle but it barely sticks to the bed.

Any idea what it could be?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

You might have some polypropylene there. Really strong material! Won’t stick to shit, temperature resistant, chemical resistant, can bend without breaking… never tried it, personally but it’s interesting stuff.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

And notwithtanding that the damn stuff is around $78 for a kilo of filament! My other guess was polyethylene (HDPE). These two are pretty similar mechanically, both being polyolefins, but polypropylene melts at a higher temperature.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

Yeah. PP doesn't stick at all to PEI print beds. Issue is Prusa neither sells HDPE or PP. Neither do they sell printer cable of Printing these materials (build surface).

For Polypropylene: e.g. Eryone is 26€ for 900g (should be more "length"/volume than 1kg of PLA). Fiberlogy is 50€/kg. Not that expensive without the Prusa tax.