20 Jun Which plastics can be used in filament extrusion with Felfil Evo extruder?

The best plastics for extrusion with Felfil Evo: exploring the options.

Plastic extrusion is a key element in 3D printing and filament production. If you are using your Felfil system to create custom filaments, it is important to know which types of plastics have already been successfully tested by us, so you can start from our parameters. Here is an overview of the plastics that have been tested and approved for extrusion with Felfil Evo:

PLA (polylactic acid):

PLA is one of the most common and popular plastics used in 3D printing. It is a biodegradable material derived from renewable sources such as corn starch or sugarcane. PLA is relatively easy to print and offers good print quality, making it an ideal choice for many projects.

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene):

ABS is a tough and durable thermoplastic widely used in the manufacturing industry. It is appreciated for its impact resistance, good layer adhesion, and ability to be smoothed and finished. Extruding ABS requires higher temperatures than PLA, so attention must be paid to temperature settings during the extrusion process.

HIPS (high-impact polystyrene):

HIPS is a plastic very similar to PLA but with higher impact resistance. It is often used as a soluble support material for complex prints, as it can be dissolved in solvents like limonene. HIPS extrusion requires temperatures similar to PLA, making it a convenient choice for Felfil Evo users.

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane):

TPU is a flexible elastomeric material, also known as “flexible filament”. It is highly impact resistant, flexible, and can be stretched without breaking. Extruding TPU requires controlled temperatures and proper extrusion speed settings to achieve optimal results.

HDPE (high-density polyethylene):

HDPE is a type of polyethylene known for its resistance to chemicals, rigidity, and good wear resistance. It is often used to create containers, pipes, and durable mechanical parts. HDPE extrusion requires higher temperatures and specific settings to achieve good layer adhesion.

PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol):

PETG is a strong, transparent, and low deformation plastic used for a wide range of applications. It offers good impact resistance, is translucent, and has good layer adhesion. PETG filament is reputed to combine the functionality of ABS (more resilient, temperature-resistant, more durable) and the reliability of PLA (easy to print) into a single material.

Do you want to know at what temperature these materials should be extruded? Visit the dedicated section on our website.

Of course, the Felfil Evo has been used by our community for many other materials, including experiments with metal powders and organic powders.

What we have summarised here are only the classic materials commonly used in 3D printing. Felfil Evo is a machine that is well suited for experimenting with innovative materials. The extrusion process can start with 25 g of material and you can mix powders and polymers to create your own composite material. 

Are you ready to extrude?