The best temperatures for 3D printing for PLA, TPU, ABS and others.

Why is temperature important?

Despite the fact that almost every incandescent lamp currently in use is thermoplastic, each has its own temperature requirements. This is because the individual fibers are chemically very different from each other. Some, such as PLA, are made from starch, while others, such as ABS, have oil bases.

The chemical composition of polymers directly affects its glass transition temperature - the temperature at which the thread is converted from a brittle thread into a rubber substance that can be extruded. This temperature must be reached for proper printing, and since each plastic has a different glass transition temperature, each thread must be printed at a different temperature.

In addition to determining the extrusion temperature, some threads require a specific temperature of the heated layer. When some threads cool down, they shrink and deform. The heated bed allows these plastics to cool more slowly during extrusion so that distortion is minimized. The heated bed also provides additional adhesion, ensuring that the first layer adheres well and the part is not released from the bed during printing.

It is important that these temperatures are correct, as there may be a difference between a failed print and a perfect one.

PLA

PLA is the most popular thread today and one of the reasons for its popularity is its indulgence in printing conditions.

PLA prints best at around 210 ° C, but is very flexible and can work well anywhere from 180 to 230 ° C. No heated bed is required, but if your printer has it, set it somewhere between 20 and 60 ° C.

When printing with PLA, be sure to keep the cooling fans on. PLA gives the best results with proper cooling. In general, PLA is very easy to print and does not require much to be successful.

ABS

Until recently, ABS was the most commonly used thread. It was then defeated by the PLA for first place, mostly because it is much harder to print.

ABS requires slightly higher temperatures for successful printing. The nozzle temperature of 210 to 250 ° C is the best and a heated bed of about 80 to 110 ° C is needed.

In addition, the ABS must be printed in a closed 3D printer so that it cools very slowly. This is because when the ABS cools, it shrinks, and if the print cools too quickly, it will warp. For the same reason, the cooling fans must be turned off while printing ABS.

PETG

PETG is a relatively newcomer, combining many aspects of PLA and ABS.

Very high temperatures are required, with the nozzle temperature being somewhere between 220 and 250 ° C. However, unlike ABS, PETG does not require a heated bed.

PETG best prints adhesive tape on the bed. Without it, the bed must be heated to 50 to 75 ° C to obtain the necessary adhesion to the extruded threads. And because this material does not warp like ABS, cooling fans can be activated during printing.

Nylon

Nylon is another incredibly strong thread, although it is more difficult to work with.

It prints at temperatures hotter than any other thread on this list: 240 to 260 ° C is recommended. The bed temperature of 70 to 100 ° C is sufficient and a layer of adhesive for adhesion is also important, as nylon can have major problems with bed adhesion.

Nylon should not be printed with cooling fans, as it must retain heat for proper adhesion of the layer.

This material is also very hygroscopic, which means that it will absorb any moisture in the air. This significantly reduces the print quality, so the thread must be dried before printing.

Initially, nylon can be a challenge to use, but once you learn how to print properly with this material, it becomes a very powerful tool.

TPU

Flexible threads, one of which is TPU, are fun and useful materials to work with, but can be very difficult to use.

TPU prints at PLA-like temperatures, working best at about 210 to 230 ° C with a bed between 30 and 60 ° C.

Because this material is so flexible, it can bend and stretch on its way from the extruder to the actual nozzle. It is therefore important that the thread follows a limited path, extruding slowly and without retraction.

If these problems occur, a slight increase in the temperature of the extruder can help reduce any load on the filament, which can lead to its bending.