Explain polymers used in 3D printing and discuss their important properties.

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## Polymers Used in 3D Printing

Polymers are the most widely used 3D printing materials, in two groups.

```mermaid
flowchart TD
  P[Polymers] --> T[Thermoplastics]
  P --> R[Photopolymer resins]
  T --> T1[PLA]
  T --> T2[ABS]
  T --> T3[PETG]
  T --> T4[Nylon]
  T --> T5[TPU flexible]
  T --> T6[PEEK and PEI high performance]
  R --> R1[Standard acrylic resin]
  R --> R2[Epoxy resin]
  R --> R3[Flexible and castable resin]
```

| Polymer | Process | Key properties | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | FDM | Biodegradable, easy to print, rigid, low heat resistance (about 60 C) | Prototypes, models |
| ABS | FDM | Tough, impact resistant, heat resistant, warps, fumes | Functional parts, enclosures |
| PETG | FDM | Strong, chemical resistant, little warping | Bottles, mechanical parts |
| Nylon (PA) | FDM, SLS | Strong, wear resistant, flexible, absorbs moisture | Gears, hinges |
| TPU | FDM | Elastic, rubber-like | Seals, grips, wearables |
| PEEK / PEI | FDM | Very high strength, heat and chemical resistance, biocompatible | Aerospace, medical implants |
| Photopolymer resin | SLA, DLP | High detail, smooth finish, brittle | Dental, jewellery, models |

### Important properties
1. **Mechanical:** tensile strength, stiffness, toughness, flexibility.
2. **Thermal:** glass transition and melting temperature, heat deflection.
3. **Chemical resistance** and moisture absorption.
4. **Printability:** shrinkage, warping, layer adhesion, viscosity (resins).
5. **Biocompatibility** for medical use.
6. Surface finish, cost and availability.

### Exam tip
Give a table of 4 polymers (PLA, ABS, nylon, resin) with properties and uses.

Polymers Used in 3D Printing

Important properties

Exam tip

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