What is electrostatic printing used for?

What recycled plastics can be used in 3D printing?

• What recycled plastics can be used in 3D printing? I have a great supply of plastic spoons available to me. Can I grind and turn that into filament? 1. Polyethylene ...show more

• Answer:

  3D filaments are ether ABS or PLA plastic. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is lightweight and it has a lower coefficient of friction. That makes it preferred material for small parts, compared to PLA. ABS has to be extruded at a higher temperature. Its glass transition temperature is around 105°C/220F. ABS is amorphous and therefore has no true melting point, however 230°C/445F is the standard for 3D printing. Most LEGO is made of ABS. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bio-degradable polymer derived from corn starch. It is melts at a lower temperature around 180°C/355F, and a glass transition temperature around 60°C/140F. It does exhibit higher friction which can make it difficult to extrude. PLA will flow more easily than ABS at the same temperatures and usually more glossy.