![]() This should help to reduce and warping or deformities as the part cools. These high temperatures also mean that, for smaller parts, it is recommended to use a cooling fan as part of the aftercare for HDPE. And while it is possible to print HDPE at lower temperatures than this, it is almost always beneficial to start high and decrease temperature as you become more confident. The parts printed at 260☌ were stronger, were less brittle, and did not warp or shrink as much as parts printed at higher temperatures. The parts were printed at higher extruder temperatures than would commonly be used in desktop 3D printers, but the results showed that 260☌ yielded the best results for all of these metrics. They measured impact resistance, shape deformity and tensile strength of HDPE parts printed using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) methods, another term for FDM. However, help is at hand.Ī study conducted by the University of Akron, Ohio, tested a number of different aspects of HDPE parts when printed at certain temperatures. All of this uncertainty can leave you scratching your head. Having a heated bed is also a necessity to maximize bed adhesion, although again, advice varies. Like with most polymers, the advice is to start high and decrease the temperature over multiple tests until you find the sweet spot. Some estimates for nozzle temperatures go as high as 260☌, while some claim to get good results at as low as 200☌. Looking around online, there is wild speculation about the temperatures and settings to use. HDPE filament is compatible with most FDM 3D printers. Getting the Best Results from HDPE 3D Printing And this strange disconnect has left many wondering whether there is a way to bring it back for one more round. While HDPE is still a favorite with traditional plastic manufacturers, and still in wide use, 3D printing has all but given up on this former titan of the industry. HDPE became all but obsolete, and soon faded from the conscience of the community. ![]() Soon, other materials like Polylactic Acid (PLA) began to emerge, with near identical properties, but with much less demand on heating and aftercare, as well as being much easier to 3D print. It also meant the parts shrunk after printing, a high potential for warping, and its lack of dependable bed adhesion. HDPE filament’s high melting point was a double-edged sword, as it required vast amounts of heat to print effectively. ![]() However, tragically, it soon began to fall out of favor with the 3D printing community. It was expected that it would be a gateway material in driving low-cost 3D printing. With HDPE being such a fixture of our everyday lives, it was natural to experiment with 3D printing HDPE. One of the most exciting elements to the democratization of 3D printing is the ability to make everyday goods yourself. This is one of the reasons why it became such a focus of polymer 3D printing. Seemingly, you cannot move for seeing HDPE somewhere, and the high turnover rate of certain HDPE products mean that there is always high demand for more. It is used to make outdoor furniture, heavy-duty trash bags, chemical-resistant piping and cladding, fireworks, fuel tanks, mannequins, and the list goes on. The plastic bag you used to carry it to the car? HDPE. The plastic milk bottle you bought from the supermarket today? That was HDPE. These factors make HDPE the ideal plastic for everyday domestic use. It does not degrade or corrode, has a high melting point, is waterproof, food safe, recyclable, and most crucially, when it malfunctions it does not shatter and leave sharp edges, but instead bends or tears. Not only is it extremely cheap to mass produce, but it is a lot stiffer and sturdier than its sibling, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). ![]() And that is in no small part due its many useful properties. It is estimated that HDPE accounts for around 40% of the world’s total plastic production. ![]() But is there any way back for this ubiquitous pioneer? The History of HDPE 3D PrintingĮven if you are not familiar with the name HDPE, you have certainly encountered it. Once considered the future of 3D printing and a frontrunner of polymer additive manufacturing, it has fallen by the wayside in recent years. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) has had a remarkable fall from grace. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |