What materials can a 3D printer print?3D printers now use countless different materials to create objects in layers.The classic and most commonly used 3D printing materials are filaments and metal.Filaments are plastic threads that are rolled up on a spool, melted down by the 3D printer and processed layer by layer into a finished object.Metals can also be printed in layers, but the processes most commonly used by metal 3D printers are laser-based and can therefore produce very precise metal objects even in larger quantities.On this page we present the different types of plastic for filaments, you will get to know the different metals that can be used as a material for 3D printing.You will also learn about all other 3D printer materials, such as organic substances, food and some curious materials that researchers and inventors experiment with, such as foam or mashed potatoes.Our collection of 3D printing materials comes from thousands of news items published in 3D without borders.The list below is updated regularly.Do you know another material that can be processed by a 3D printer and has not yet been included in our list?Then please send us a message.Contents: Tabular overviewDetailed descriptionPlasticsPLAABSHIPSPHAPEEKPETGPEI/ULTEMPolyamideFoodMetalsAluminiumTitaniumGoldSilverCopperOther 3D printer materialsGypsumCeramicGlassThis table is scrollable (use arrow keys or touch) ►PLA (polylactide) is undoubtedly one of the most commonly used 3D printing materials, especially in the private sector.Before it can be used, it must first be melted.During printing, the PLA granules are pressed out with the help of an extruder as a consistently thick strand and in the next step are applied to the printing surface in thin layers.Most users opt for a filament diameter of 1.75 or 2.85 mm, 3 mm is also possible.PLA material is relatively easy to handle, hardly smells when it melts and is usually harmless in terms of its environmental properties.Of course, this depends on the manufacturer.Since PLA is a plastic made from lactic acid, the raw material breaks down back into its natural components as soon as it is exposed to environmental influences.Nevertheless, it is advisable to put the material that is no longer needed or the printed objects that are no longer used in the recycling collection.It should not go unnoticed that PLA filament is available in a wide range of colors and special mixtures.There are now several manufacturers who produce this material.A price and quality comparison is recommended.» Read the free compendium: The big wiki about PLA filament for 3D printingThe abbreviation ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Copolymer.The material is not only used for 3D printing, but generally in the automotive, electrical and chemical industries, but also in other areas.For example, the Lego bricks, which are very popular with children, are made of this plastic.ABS is a thermoplastic material that melts from a temperature of 220 - 250 degrees.In the case of high-temperature ABS blends, the melting temperature is even higher.The production of the material is a bit more complex compared to PLA.One of the reasons for this is that the material deforms very strongly when it cools down quickly.During processing, the smell of burnt plastic often arises, which is why it is important to ensure sufficient ventilation.ABS filament is made from petroleum, among other things, and is therefore more durable and more resistant to environmental influences than PLA.The heat resistance of the material is particularly advantageous, which is why it can also be used in areas where PLA would already melt.At the same time, ABS is less brittle and more elastic than PLA.While the ABS material was originally colorless, it is now available in a wide range of colors and of course in different strengths.3D printers intended to work with ABS must have a heated print bed.» What is ABS?: All important information, questions and answers about ABS filament for 3D printing in the free guideHIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) is a high-impact polystyrene that consists of rubber, among other things.Depending on the manufacturer, flame retardants are also added to the material to reduce the risk of fire.The HIPS material is used, for example, in the manufacture of housings for computers, telephones and televisions.In 3D printing, HIPS is used as a washable carrier material.If you want to print an object with overhanging structures, you need a so-called "support material" that is used to fill the spaces with the help of a second extruder.These can then be washed out again later.Since HIPS is also used in the food sector, it is completely harmless.The melting temperature of the material is around 235 degrees Celsius.The material adheres very well to the heated printing platform and can also be processed at the same time as other materials, such as the ABS presented above.It should also be mentioned that ABS is also used in the food sector and can be considered harmless.This is precisely why it is very suitable as a support material that can be removed again later.A chemical lime bath is used for this, for example, in which the material dissolves within 24 hours.Like PLA, PHA (polyhydroxy fatty acid) also belongs to the group of bioplastics.In 3D printing, however, it is only used as an admixture to PLA.In contrast to this, PHA is UV-resistant and also more stable in temperature.They tolerate temperatures of up to 160 degrees Celsius.Depending on the composition chosen, PHA can be both elastic and rigid.The abbreviation PEEK stands for Polyetheretherkton.This thermoplastic material belongs to the group of polyaryletherketones.Its melting point is 335 degrees Celsius.Thus, PEEK is one of the heat-resistant materials.However, they only withstand a more intensive and, above all, longer UV radiation to a limited extent.The use of nitric or sulfuric acid, which PEEK cannot withstand, has negative effects.However, the filament is resistant to almost all organic and inorganic chemicals and to hydrolysis at up to 280 degrees Celsius.PETG consists of a mixture between PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and glycerol.Unlike other thermoplastics, it was specially developed for 3D printing.The great advantages of this material are its high flexibility, durability and strength.During printing, there are hardly any odors or no odors at all, the melting point is higher than that of PLA.At the same time, the material exhibits better layer adhesion.The material can also come into contact with food.PETG is ideal for manufacturing mechanical parts because of its high impact strength and durability.At the same time, the material is more flexible than, for example, PLA, ABS or PET.The filament is not soluble, the melting point is between about 220 and 235 degrees Celsius.The material may shrink slightly as it cools.No heated print bed is required for printing.Fine tuning of bed and die temperatures may be necessary.» PETG Wiki: What is PETG Filament?The big compendium on PETG for 3D printingPolyetherimide (PEI) is one of the high-temperature-resistant plastics.The material is produced as part of a polycondensation from bisphthalic acid hydride and 1,3-diaminobenzene or N-phenyl4-nitrophthalimide in combination with disodium salt, which is produced from bisphenol A.It can be processed both in its pure form and with various additives.The additives include glass fibers, carbon fibers and blends with polycarbonate or siloxane copolymers.Even in its simple state, the material is characterized by high strength and fire resistance.The strength in particular is increased by the addition of other materials.It is resistant to both hydrolysis, UV and gamma rays.PEI is typically used for the injection molding process.The processing temperature is between 320 and 400 degrees Celsius.Before the granulate can be processed, it must only have a residual moisture content of 0.05 percent.PEI is mainly used for the production of plastic parts to be used in the electronics, automotive and aerospace industries.But it is also being used more and more in the field of 3D printing.Polyamides are linear polymers that have amide linkages that repeat regularly along the main chain.Thermoplastics are often referred to as polyamides.These have excellent strength and toughness.That is why they are often used in the manufacture of construction materials.In 3D printing, polyamide is often used as a powdery white granulate.Depending on the family of polyamides, both selective laser sintering (SLS) and melt deposition (FDM) can be used as manufacturing processes.Just like PLA, polyamides are also used to manufacture products that come into contact with food.At the same time, polyamide can also be used to create smooth surfaces that do not have any grooves.Due to its semi-crystalline structure, polyamide offers a near-optimal combination of mechanical and chemical properties, including stability, flexibility, strength and impact resistance.At the same time, the material stands for a high level of detail and superior quality.The material is used, among other things, in the manufacture of gears, in aerospace, robotics, the automotive industry, in the manufacture of medical prostheses and in the use of injection molds.Not only plastics and metals, but also food can be processed using 3D printing.An example is the Magic Candy Factory in Berlin, which sells 3D-printed gummy bears with the support of Katjes.Customers can put these together according to their own wishes.Aesthetics also play a major role in eating.Those who are no longer able to chew as well as they get older and are therefore fed pureed food can now have the food prepared with the help of a 3D printer.For example, the pureed meat then regains the shape it normally has in conventional cooking.A schnitzel can therefore be enjoyed as a schnitzel again.3D printers are now also being used to prepare other foods.Examples include chocolate, ice cream, chewing gum, and various pastas.In our 3D-without-limits newsletter we keep reporting on the 3D printing of food.Aluminum stands for both lightness and stability.At the same time, it is corrosion-resistant and can be welded, but is more susceptible to material fatigue than steel.Aluminum is less temperature resistant than steel.The melting point is 660.4 degrees Celsius.Especially when a low weight is required, aluminum is used.It is used, for example, for mechanical components in the aerospace industry, in vehicles and on bicycles.Aluminum is mostly used as an alloy with other metals.These include, for example, silicon and magnesium.These alloys improve physical and mechanical properties.The Germany-based manufacturer EOS, for example, has the aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg in its product range.SLM Solutions offers many other aluminum alloys, which are particularly impressive with their pore-free, homogeneous surface, but also with their particular hardness.Titanium is one of the chemical elements and has the atomic number 22 in the periodic table. It has an ideal combination of strength and lightness.At the same time, it is corrosion-resistant and biocompatible.This substance is in great demand, particularly in the aerospace and medical sectors.Just like aluminum alloys, titanium alloys have better chemical and mechanical properties.The manufacturers EOS, SLM Solutions and Arcam produce various titanium alloys that are ideally suited for 3D printing.Components made of titanium can be produced in more complex shapes using 3D printing.At the same time, impurities such as those found in welding in other manufacturing processes can be avoided.A disadvantage of the material, however, is the very high purchase price, which can be 50 times higher than the normal price of steel.Just like titanium, gold is one of the chemical elements, it has the atomic number 79 in the periodic table. Just like titanium, gold is also one of the transition metals.However, metal 3D printing cannot be carried out with conventional 3D printers for home use.That is why alloys are used in this case.Stainless steel is particularly suitable for printing gold-colored objects.In the process, individual layers of stainless steel powder are wetted with adhesive, to which the gold is then applied.In addition to this, there is another way to print with metal.For this purpose, the molten metal - in our case stainless steel - is poured into a mold that was previously manufactured using the lost wax process.The subsequent finishing of the surface is then done by hand.The second method mentioned is often used in the production of smaller components or in the manufacture of jewellery.However, forms that are too fine and filigree should be avoided, the minimum wall thickness should be between 0.8 and 1 mm.By using gold it is possible to create different shades (yellow, white, reddish).You can find detailed information on the gold 3D printing topic page.Like titanium and gold, silver is a chemical element.It has the atomic number 47 in the periodic table.The situation with silver is similar to the processing of gold.Here, too, a minimum wall thickness of 0.8 to 1 mm should be maintained.However, models that are too filigree and detailed – jewelry is an example – are difficult to produce.The finishing is particularly important for silver objects.It represents the key to a clean and smooth surface.Copper has the properties of being particularly heat and electricity conductive.The use of copper in industrial production is therefore of particular importance, as copper parts can be used in many areas.Parts made of copper are mainly used in energy technology but also in the medical sector.With the additive manufacturing of copper, companies and institutions have advantages in terms of freedom of design, mass production at lower costs and the manufacture of specific objects (size, complexity, etc.).You can find detailed information on the copper 3D printing topic page.Not only plastics and metals, but also plaster can be used for 3D printing.This material is usually white, but can be colored before further processing.The so-called polymer plaster is very stiff after processing, but can easily break.The surface appears porous and sand-like, it should be given an appropriate finishing if necessary.When 3D printing with plaster, a minimum wall thickness of 2 mm should be selected and the layer thickness should be between 0.089 and 0.102 mm.The temperature resistance is just around 115 degrees Celsius.3D prints made of plaster are used, for example, for the production of presentation models for investors, house and building complex models, for hobby model making and landscape planning.But they can also be used in medicine and biology.When 3D printing a plaster model, a roller first spreads a thin layer of plaster powder onto the printing plate.After that, inkjet printheads equipped with color binder apply the first layer of ink onto the powder.Both then mix and then harden into the cross-section of the 3D model.In the step that follows shortly thereafter, the carrier plate moves down by 0.1 mm so that there is space for a new layer.Here, too, the powder is applied first and then the ink, which then mixes again and hardens.This procedure is repeated until the object is completely printed.Excess powder should be vacuumed off and reused for the next plaster printing job.The desired model is ready within a few hours.After that, fine-tuning may be necessary.The 3D-printed plaster model can then be given the desired texture with infiltrates and varnishes.The term ceramics is to be understood as meaning inorganic, non-metallic materials.A rough distinction is made between earthenware, stoneware, earthenware, porcelain and special dimensions.At the same time, it is also a generic term for shaped or fired products, which include everyday objects, components and tools.Incidentally, the word ceramic itself comes from the Greek and stands for clay minerals.So-called composite ceramics also belong to technical ceramics.Ceramics are now also used for 3D printing.For example, the French company Z3DLab developed and patented the first titanium ceramic powder.This can be used for powder beds and laser-based metals if the SLM 3D printing process is used.The compound powder bears the designation ZTI.Its great advantages lie in the flexibility, the low weight of the titanium and the strength of the ceramic zinc oxide.Various versions of this powder are available, two of which are suitable for use in medicine and in space travel.Both materials are also biocompatible.Glass can consist of various minerals or materials and is an amorphous solid.For example, silicon dioxide is used in the production of drinking glasses and window glasses.Some time ago, researchers succeeded in making glass usable for 3D printing.A tile is moved around an extruder with the help of a robotic arm.This in turn applies molten glass to the tile.However, the six-axis glass process ensures that the surface is not quite as straight.This is because glass cools unevenly.Complex and high-resolution objects cannot yet be produced in this way.The process is not yet fully developed, but this will certainly change in the coming years.The raw materials required for glass production can be found almost everywhere on earth, which should also help this technology to become more widespread.