In recent years, we have witnessed the magical world of 3D printed clothing. From high fashion to high tech, 3D printed clothing is amazing to marvel at. More than the amazing design possibilities available in 3D printing, the engineering used behind printing fabric-like materials is simply amazing.
Most 3D printed clothes look interesting, but many of them are less comfortable and much less wearable. However, this does not mean that all 3D printed clothing is not wearable. 3D printed textiles made from FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printers can be used. Some pretty good 3D printed ties are already available on the market.
The basic thing that makes 3D printing so amazing is the material used to create designs. Although we now have metal, ceramic, sugar, or Styrofoam to create just about anything in 3D printing, it all started with ‘plastic’, which is still the main raw material in 3D printing. So, here we describe the main plastics used in 3D printing in the textile industry:
PLA (polylactic acid): This is a bioplastic that is taking over the world of 3D printing. PLA is made from a renewable organic resource like corn starch or sugar cane. In the textile industry, PLA-based filaments show great adhesion to PLA fabrics. As it can be reinforced with all kinds of materials, it is used in the manufacture of smart fabrics that help improve the functionality of textile products.
This is a tough heavy duty material with a matte, opaque quality. There are no toxic fumes or odors when heated. This bioplastic is ideal for 3D printing because it is environmentally friendly, available in a variety of colors, and can be used as a resin or filament. The material does not shrink after 3D printing. All these properties make PLA a good component for the development of sustainable textiles.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): It is a terpolymer obtained by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile with polybutadiene. This is another widely used bioplastic in 3D printing. It can be easily formed into filaments and is durable, strong, heat resistant, flexible and cost effective. One drawback of ABS is that it creates a slightly unpleasant odor when heated and its vapors contain unpleasant chemicals. Therefore, good ventilation is needed to expel these irritating vapors. Due to this drawback, 3D fans prefer PLA to ABS.
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol): This is a synthetic polymer and is soluble in water. PVA is a new class of 3D printing materials used to make supports that hold 3D prints in place. This is not used to make finished products, but instead creates support for portions of a product. Once the product is finished, you can submerge it in water and the PVA support structures will dissolve leaving traces of the insoluble print. In 3D printing, this is mainly used as a glue, thickener, or packaging film.
Although the range of materials used in 3D printing technology may evolve over time and with increasing customer interest, these are the top three plastics currently popular for all 3D printing applications.