The effectiveness of 3D prints depends on a variety of factors. The filament you print with could be one of the most crucial deciding variables in a great print, even if many of them entail fine-tuning and adjusting the actual 3D printer itself. Because it often appears fine from the outside, filament is one of those characteristics that is frequently disregarded. However, things like air pockets and other errant particles might be lurking below the surface, ready to destroy your printing job. Here is how filament quality impacts your 3D printing.
Cheap Filament Will Not Give You the Best Color
The absence of deeply saturated colors is another drawback of inexpensive filament. Cheap filament producers reduced the quantity of color pigment used during production to save money. This results in a variety of print issues. Color consistency and richness are undoubtedly a side benefit of using high-quality filament, but they are not the major justification for doing so. Rather, with quality filament, you can expect an upgrade to all properties surrounding the filament.
It Will Clog Your Extruder
Using low-quality or “dirty” raw materials in the production of inexpensive filament may clog or jam your extruder and alter the print’s output. Some like to utilize 3D printing filament from producers who employ as many virgin resources (meaning unspoiled and undiluted filaments) as possible, but this is not a particularly “green” way of doing things. In most cases, you will have to settle with a slightly less pure mixture of filament to get the desired results of strength and flexibility.
It Will Result in Bubbled Areas
The addition of air bubbles throughout the production process is another problem with inexpensive filament. When heated to the temperatures found in a 3D Printer’s nozzle, these small bubbles of air and moisture rapidly expand, and the consequence include a loud burst or bang that happens when the air pocket reaches the nozzle opening. This lowers the print quality overall by causing bubbling and cavities in the print surface.
We hope this article has been illuminating to the ways filament quality impacts your 3D printing. If you are looking to learn more, consider experimenting with different types of filaments to expand your 3D printing skills.