3D Printing Materials Database

[NicholasTracy]

The need to establish a "database" or list of suitable materials for 3D printing the enclosures and sensor parts is necessary to make this project easily accessible.

I will create an open spreadsheet document that contributors can access to enter data in.

We need to test and determine several factors for each type of material;

• Shear strength (Tear resistance)
• Heat tolerance (ability to hold shape in high heat climates or direct sunlight)
• UV tolerance (ability to resist fading or deterioration, becoming brittle, in direct sunlight)
• Moisture tolerance (ability to resist deterioration when exposed to moisture or direct contact with water)
• Ease of use (Printability and cost of filament, off-gassing, specialty tools for printing like hardened nozzles or high temp hot ends)

Possible list of materials:

• PLA
• ABS
• PETG
• HIPS
• Nylon
• Polycarbonate
• Carbon Fiber Reinforced Nylon
• Amphora
• ASA

This list is not exhaustive obviously, recommendations are welcome and use case examples with verifiable data are needed. When testing these materials a control is needed and a consistent test period is desirable.

[NicholasTracy]

A Google Sheet has been created for recording information about different filaments from different manufacturers and their cost and properties.

When adding to the list please follow the top 2 materials as a guideline. Material properties will be judged on a scale from 0 to 10 with 0 being Low and 10 being High. For example, a material like ASA which has a high tolerance to UV light would have a 9-10 in the UV tolerance column.
PLA is one of the easiest materials to print with so the Printability column would be marked as Easy.
Any material that releases toxic fumes when printing would be marked as No in the Safe to print column.

Please include the manufacturer, color, and a link to where the filament can be purchased in the appropriate cells.

Spreadsheet Link

Please use this as the database of information for the time being.