Wood Composite Filament for 3D Printing
Overview
Wood composite filament is an excellent choice for those looking to create objects that look and smell like wood. This filament, used in FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers, contains a mixture of recycled wood and a binding polymer. Parts printed with wood filament have a unique wooden appearance, unlike typical 3D prints.
Advantages
- Authentic Wood Appearance: Provides a natural wood-like look and smell.
- Easy to Print: Similar to printing with thermoplastic filaments like ABS and PLA.
- Post-Processing: Can be decorated, cut, ground, and painted like real wood.
- Temperature-Dependent Shades: Different printing temperatures yield different shades of brown, allowing for creative effects.
Disadvantages
- Printing Speed: For best strength, a low perimeter speed of 20mm/s is recommended.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Requires careful temperature control to achieve desired shades and quality.
Technical Specifications
- Density: Approximately similar to typical thermoplastic filaments
- Printing Temperature: 175°C to 250°C
- Flow Tweak: 0.92
- Bed Temperature: 75°C
- Bed Preparation: Apply two layers of glue stick followed by one layer of ABS glue
Features
- Composition: 40% recycled wood
- No Warping: Minimizes warping issues during printing.
- Bendable and Flexible: Offers some flexibility and bendability.
- No Heated Bed Necessary: Sticks well to the print bed without the need for a heated bed.
- Variable Brightness: Adjusting the extruder temperature can change the brightness of the printed material (recommended between 185°C and 230°C).
Material Properties for 3D Printing
- Temperature: 185°C
- Flow Tweak: 0.92
- Bed Temperature: 75°C
- Bed Preparation: Apply two layers of glue stick followed by one layer of ABS glue
Additional Considerations
- Post-Processing: Like real wood, printed objects can be sanded, stained, or painted.
- Printing Effects: Varying the printing temperature during the process can simulate tree growth rings, adding a unique effect to the printed object.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture absorption, which can affect print quality.
Application Examples
- Decorative Items: Ideal for printing decorative objects that require a wood-like finish.
- Functional Parts: Suitable for creating functional parts that benefit from the aesthetic appeal of wood.
- Custom Projects: Perfect for custom projects where the look and feel of wood are desired.
By understanding these properties and considerations, you can effectively use wood composite filament in your 3D printing projects to achieve high-quality, wood-like results.
Wood composite filament continues to be a favorite for various 3D printing applications due to its unique appearance, ease of use, and versatility in post-processing.