Top Alternatives To Plastic in 3D Printing
From arts and crafts to industrial projects, 3D printing has been on the rise as a means of transforming ideas into new realities. Having the ability to create anything you can conceptualize is quite a monumental leap in technology, but how many options does it provide outside of using plastics solely for engineering? Here are the top alternatives to plastic in 3D printing that you might not have known about previously.
Natural Options
As 3D printing is on the rise, the necessity for this technology has increased. With more ways to utilize 3D engineering, companies are looking for more user-friendly options that are also environmentally friendly, as plastics and resins are not very green. Options like used coffee grounds, wood, sandstone, and hemp are all being used as a substitute for plastics.
PLA or ABS Prospects
As two of the most used plastics on the market, these resources cannot be left out. PLA and ABS are two types of plastics with different properties, which make them perfect for 3D printing projects of all types. PLA offers a denser construction that’s ideal for most industrial-style projects, while ABS offers a lighter product that is still structurally strong enough for prototypes. And while these are plastics, they are alternative plastics that are better suited for environmental longevity.
Fluorescents
Safety equipment, car parts, or kid’s toys are just some of the thousands of applications of fluorescents in 3D printing. There is a limitless possibility for emergency medical equipment and tactical gear as well. As an alternative light source, this material could be used much more, and we have barely scraped the surface of what we may be able to accomplish with this material.
Biodegradable Materials
Of all the mediums discussed thus far, this is the most interesting, as there are major benefits to using biodegradable products. We are putting the environment first by using these products, which means the industry has come a long way from the past. This option also presents the possibility of using 3D printing for food applications by using sugar and corn starch as the building blocks.
Keeping things moving forward is the aim for 3D printing these days, as it was intended to have done from its inception. The only real difference is that we are now thinking proactively about the product itself and are putting priority on making these devices as eco-friendly and user-friendly as possible. With these options at hand, we can best understand the top alternatives to plastics in 3D printing and why they are important.
