What is plastic for a 3D pen and how to choose it?

3D pens are more relevant than ever. This is not just an interesting device that helps to have fun in your free time. With its help, unusual handicrafts are made, which can be used to decorate a house, or presented as a present. Several types of plastic are used as consumables, each of which has certain features, advantages and disadvantages.

Colored plastic for the 3D pen is sold with the gadget. Available in a variety of colors to create colorful elements and shapes. The total length of the plastic threads included in the kit is 10 meters. Typically, a material such as PLA or ABS is offered with the device. These are the most common types of plastic.

The starter kit will be enough to get acquainted with the device and its basic functions. It can be used to make a couple of volumetric models or several figures in 2D format.

The basis of this material is oil. When heated, the plastic rods melt and give off a noticeable burning smell. The work area must be thoroughly ventilated. The finished products are highly resistant to damage. The yarns are durable, strong and easily take light bends.

Plastic of this type does not react well to direct sunlight, dampness and is slightly susceptible to chemical elements. The cured wire is not sticky, so it can be applied to paper. The surface of the material is glossy, with a shine.

There are several types of ABS plastics on sale. The difference between the two is negligible, while maintaining general characteristics such as thermal stability, impact resistance, smoothness, long service life and easy post-processing.

Due to the above properties, this type of plastic quickly became widespread. Today it is one of the most popular types of engineering plastics. ABS consumables have long been used in 3D printing due to their affordable price and stability.

Advantages:

• excellent rigidity;

• resistance to damage;

• high operating temperature (in the heat, the material remains stable);

• treatment with acetone, which acts as an additional tool when creating models (with its help, flaws are smoothed and the shape is corrected).

Disadvantages:

• the material cannot be called completely safe, since during operation it emits toxic fumes;

• make plastic from petroleum products that are not renewable, so it is non-biodegradable.

The second variant of raw materials is significantly different from the previous one, since it contains many components of plant origin, such as soybeans and corn starch. Compared to ABS plastic, it is not so common, but is gradually gaining popularity among modern users. The main feature of the material is the absence of odor. Sometimes a faint sweet aroma is released when heated too much.

PLA is strong but brittle and can break if folded too hard. With its help, you can create volumetric figures not only on paper, but also on any other surface (glass, ceramics, metal) due to high adhesion. Plastic is presented in a wide variety. There are options that glow in the dark and transparent.

The main element in the composition of PLA is polymer, which is made from special blocks of lactic acid. Lactide raw materials required for polymerization are obtained from plant components. Once the material is destroyed, it turns into raw materials that are completely safe for humans, animals and the environment.

Advantages:

• lack of an unpleasant odor causing inconvenience during work;

• biodegradability of the material;

• the ability to paint on different types of surfaces.

Disadvantages:

• the melting point is low;

• plastic is not flexible enough.

The last type of plastic used for 3D pens is referred to as PCL. It is also called polycaprolactone. It is a polyester that is biodegradable. The melting point is low and is only 60-90 degrees Celsius.

This type of consumable is not as popular as the above two options, as it is relatively recent. It costs more than types of ABS and PLA, which is why only a few users choose it.

Despite its high cost, it has taken a special place in the market due to its special technical characteristics. Due to its low operating temperature, PCL plastic is suitable for pens powered by a built-in battery. The built-in power supply makes it possible to create in the fresh air, and the wires do not interfere during work.

And also the nozzle from which the filament comes out does not heat up more than 50 degrees, making the work as safe as possible, especially for small children. The molten material will not burn if it comes into contact with the skin.

Another feature of this product is that it becomes plastic when immersed in hot water. If it is necessary to change the shape of the figure, it can be heated in this way and corrected. Suitable water temperature is 60-70 degrees Celsius.

The composition of the plastic is safe for nature and humans. The assortment includes a wide variety of colors. All of the above characteristics make the PCL product the most suitable for children.

Modern stores offer customers a huge variety of plastic kits with different technical properties. A rich assortment can confuse any buyer who does not know what to choose for creativity or other purposes.

At first glance, all sets differ only in length and color, but this is not the case. The wrong material may not be suitable for the type of work you want to use it for.

All plastic for 3D pens can be categorized according to characteristics. The first criterion is the type of plastic. We examined three relevant options above in the article.

The next indicator is the palette and the number of colors. Typically, in one set, their number varies from 5 to 20. To attract the attention of buyers, brands often use a trick with more interesting names. For example, sea wave, sunset, scarlet. In fact, these are the usual colors of blue, orange and red.

Users who use the gadget for professional purposes (making layouts and various objects for presentation) prefer to purchase plastic in stationary stores. So the product can be visually evaluated and the right set of colors can be selected.

The next characteristic is the weight of the kit and the total footage. For beginners, it is advisable to buy a small set in order to gain experience and choose the most suitable option for consumables.

The important criteria when choosing are the size of the skein and packaging.

Such kits are most often sold in opaque packaging so that customers do not see the condition of the plastic being sold. Large skeins are inconvenient to store, especially in a small apartment, so the size of the skein should also be taken into account at the time of purchase. Small skeins are also inconvenient during work, as they often curl and get confused.

Another characteristic that experienced buyers must pay attention to is the fastening of the skein.

The skeins of plastic threads, which are divided according to shades and colors, can be fixed in the following ways.

• The most convenient way to fix it is with duct tape. After using the plastic, you can quickly re-fasten the consumable with it and set it aside until next use.

• Clamp made of plastic. The most common option. You will need sharp scissors or a knife to cut the clamp. You cannot do the job manually. After removing the clip, it is impossible to reuse it, so you will have to store the skein without fixing, or look for a replacement for it.

• The last option is vacuum. Such packaging is also disposable. To get the plastic, you need to open it with scissors.