We have seen the magical world of 3D printed clothing in recent years. The 3D printed clothing is incredible to be amazed at, combining high fashion and high technology. The engineering involved in printing materials that resemble fabric is simply amazing, surpassing the wonderful design possibilities offered by 3D printing.
Despite the fact that many of the 3D-printed clothes are less comfortable and less wearable, most of them still look interesting. This does not imply that all apparel made using 3D printing cannot be worn, though. You can wear the textiles that 3D printers using FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) technology have printed. There are already some surprisingly high-quality 3D printed ties on the market.
The material used to create the designs is the fundamental aspect of 3D printing that makes it so amazing. Although we now have the ability to create almost anything using 3D printing using materials like metal, ceramic, sugar, or styrofoam, the technology all began with “plastic,” which is still the main raw material used in the process. So, here we describe the main plastic used in 3D printing in the textile industry:
Polylactic Acid, or PLA, is a bio-plastic that has taken over the 3D printing industry. A renewable organic resource, like cornstarch or sugarcane, is used to make PLA. In the textile sector, PLA-based filaments exhibit excellent adhesion to PLA fabrics. Because it can be reinforced with any kind of material, it is used to create smart fabrics that improve the functionality of textile products.
This is a strong, resilient material that has a matte, opaque appearance. Heat doesn’t produce any smells or toxic vapours. Because it can be used as a resin or filament, is available in a variety of colors, and is environmentally friendly, this bio-plastic is excellent for 3D printing. After 3D printing, the material does not shrink. Because of all these qualities, PLA makes a good component for creating sustainable textiles.
Styrene, acrylonitrile, and polybutadiene are polymerized to create ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), a terpolymer. This is yet another common bio-plastic used in 3D printing. It is strong, resilient to heat, flexible, and inexpensive. It also forms filaments with ease. ABS has the disadvantage of emitting foul-smelling chemical vapours when heated and emitting a mildly unpleasant odor. Therefore, adequate ventilation is required to rid oneself of these unpleasant fumes. 3D hobbyists prefer PLA over ABS due to this drawback.
PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) is a synthetic polymer that is water soluble. PVA is a brand-new class of 3D printing materials used to create supports that keep 3D prints in place. This is used to create support for parts of a product rather than finished goods. When the product is complete, you can submerge it in water to dissolve the PVA support structures while leaving the remaining insoluble print intact. This is primarily utilized as glue, a thickener, or a packaging film in 3D printing.
These are the three main types of plastic that are currently preferred for all 3D printing applications, though the range of materials used in this technology may change over time as consumer interest increases.
