Companies like Taulman3D specialize in helping users to do something quite simple: make more 3D printed things–correctly. They supply a huge amount of information to us though along the way, and it’s always a highlight to see one of their new products popping up–which happens quite often in comparison to other manufacturers.
Currently, Taulman is announcing the release of TECH-G, a PETG filament which is meant to offer even higher strength while providing limited elongation.
Gaining in popularity, PETG filaments are a modified version of the more simple PET, a nontoxic, thermoplastic polymer resin used in making clothes and products like containers. PETG filaments are an attractive and viable option because of their low melting temperature and both durability and flexibility in the finished state. A good alternative to either ABS or nylon, PETG normally offers transparency as well.
While PLA and ABS have been traditionally used, and especially by engineering firms for ‘initial form and fitness evaluations,’ the Taulman team was aware that many times the overall strength of those filaments was limiting the usefulness and potential of 3D models.
“In the case of PLA, it was the brittle nature of medium or larger parts that severely limited functional testing,” states the Taulman team. “With ABS, the limit was always tensile strength.”
TECH-G Specifications when 3D printed:
- Tensile strength – 5,900+ PSI
- Elongation – 3%
- IZOD Notch – 2.14 ft-lbf/inch
- Color – clear (colorless with no dyes added)
- Odors – none
- Transmission – 90%
- Print temperature – 235°C –240°C
- Users will want to make use of lower fans when printing PLA polymers
- The best printing surface for a glass finish is to print on heated glass at 72°C
- For a quick release print bed, users should apply a 50% PVA and 50% water wipe to glass heated to 45°C
- Printing temperatures vary slightly with nozzle size, but the average is 238°C
- When printed too at too high a temperature, there will be bubbles in the printed thread and if too cold, the thread will appear cloudy
Earlier in the year, TECH-G was released into a testing phase, allowing users to try it and give Taulman feedback regarding its performance. Upon its release to the public, Taulman sees TECH-G as a new and easier material to use in 3D printing, offering greater tensile strength, which offers just the right amount of elongation to be used in functional testing. TECH-G is FDA compliant with CFR 177.1315.
Have you had an opportunity to test out this new filament? Let us know in the TECH-G forum thread on 3DPB.com.