You have just purchased or are about to purchase the Anet 8 low-cost 3D printer. This printer may cost less than 150€, but it can handle a wide range of filaments. While waiting to make a more complete article on filaments, here’s a quick overview of what you can use with the A8.
PLA (Polyacidic Acid)
There is a good chance that your crazy 3D printing career will start with PLA. It is simply the easiest plastic to handle. In addition to being easy to use, it smells pretty good when it melts, is not too prone to deformation and you won’t have too many scruples to use it, because it’s a plastic made from recycled products or cornstarch, so you can make 3D prints with a smaller footprint on the planet. He has a few flaws, though. Its mechanical resistance is rather low. Once your part has been printed, avoid wringing it too much, as it will tend to break rather than flex or bend. And it is sensitive to moisture (personaly stored in an IKEA box with silica gel sachets).
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is a plastic widely used in industry and everyday objects. It is very shock resistant (good mechanical resistance). It will therefore be perfect for prototyping, for example. However, it is much more difficult to handle than PLA. It is sensitive to thermal shocks, and will tend to deform at the slightest draught of air… To avoid warping, it requires either to be used with a partitioned 3D printer (see my tutorial to make a box), or in a room where the temperature will be constant. However, it tends to emanate from unpleasant vapours, so it must be ventilated. It is therefore difficult to combine a closed room with ventilation, which is why it is better to move towards the closed printer:). This plastic really can’t do without a heating tray. And tape doesn’t really help the plastic sticking to the bed. Printers often use glass plate and varnish…
Plastic Wood / Stone and Metal
So when you look at it that way, you might think it’s a joke. How can a plastic be wood, stone or metal? So it is plastic in this case PLA, to which wood, stone or metal powder has been added. The percentage will vary from 25 to 40%. As with PLA, plastic is brittle and sensitive to moisture. But it is still quite easy to use. Be careful to wait until your object has cooled down completely before removing it from the tray, deformations may occur.
For plastic “wood”, if you play on the temperature during printing, you will get different shades. This way you can give your wood a veined look. Makes the final appearance even more natural.
For “metal”plastic, it is not compatible with Anet A8. Replace the brass nozzle with a steel one. Because this type of filament is very abrasive.
PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)
This is the plastic used in the manufacture of plastic bottles of soft drink (coca type) or for example the raw material of your credit cards. In 3D printing it is especially appreciated because it is transparent. As it is used to contain beverages it can also come into contact with food. Notice to amateurs. It is best to print slowly from 30 to 60mm/s maximum.
Nylon (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
IInvented in 1935, it became known to the general public after the war. In 3D printing, it is appreciated for its solidity while remaining slightly flexible. Ideal for parts that will last over time. As for PET, it requires very slow printing (30 to 60mm/s maximum). Be careful with this plastic, as it is extremely flammable. It is also very sensitive to humidity, be careful where you keep it.
You now know a little more about the filaments you can use with the Anet A8. I also invite you to read my article about the possible modifications on this printer, and how to install a MOSFET and why.