PETT filament is another 3D printing material that you should try working with. It is strong, food-safe, and highly recyclable. You can experiment with different kinds of prints using this material.
3D printing is a fun endeavor. If you are new to 3D printing or if you are trying to discover other materials that you can use for you projects, you should definitely check out PETT plastic. Here, we will cover its features so you know what you will expect out of it. We will also include some tips on how to print it so that your final products will come out looking superb.
Contents
PETT Filament Features
3D printing PETT filament is a versatile and sturdy material to use for your projects. It has many uses, especially if you like making containers that can be used for food consumption.
You also don’t have to worry about misprints because this material can be recycled. With the right devices, you can turn them into spools that you can use again. Let’s take a look at the different PETT properties in the following sections.
Is PETT FDA-Approved?
PETT filament is made from polymers that are FDA-approved. You can use the printed materials for food containers. You can print utensils, cups, and other parts that will be used for food consumption.
Is PETT Biodegradable?
PETT filaments and prints are not biodegradable, unlike PLA. However, this material is completely recyclable. There are devices called struders that can convert prints that you will most likely dispose of back into a usable line.
If you have this device, you can include clear water bottles into the mix up to about 12% of the weight in total. You do have to take note that the polymers in the water bottles have higher melting temperatures so when you will add them into the mix, it will result to using higher printing temperature but only by a few degrees.
Other Features of PETT
PETT filaments are, by industrial classifications, colorless. It is water clear because you won’t have any issues with it degrading to another color when it comes to multiple layers of applied thickness.
As for shrinkage, PETT has low shrinkage, making it very easy to print surfaces that are large and flat. You can print it on any platform such as Kapton, glass, or acrylic.
In terms of bridging, you will be impressed with the bridging capabilities of PETT. If you have printed with polycarbonates and acrylics, you will find almost the same convenience and ease with PETT in bridging.
Unlike other materials for 3D printing, you won’t have any problems with fumes when you are printing using PETT filaments. It has no fumes or odors.
PETT Filament 3D Printing Temperature
The recommended PETT filament printing temperature is at 212°C to 224°C. However, you can print it at a temperature as low as 207°C or as high as 235°C. One of the many great features of PETT filament is that it sticks easily to heated glass and acrylic print tables, giving you a very smooth bottom surface.
Although this is a great feature from PETT filaments, it does result in it having a glass transition temperature that is low at 78°C. With this, exposure to high temperatures should be avoided when it comes to the applications or use of the printed materials.
Tips for 3D Printing with PETT Filament
The optical properties of PETT are something that you ought to take advantage of so that you will get clearer prints. All you have to do is to adjust the layer thickness to 70% or 80% of the nozzle setting. You will get a significantly wide optical path that allows lesser internal reflections on each of the thread.
The nozzle size is the one that can determine the smallest thread to be extruded and not the biggest. So, if you happen to have a .4 mm nozzle, you can adjust the nozzle value in the slicer to .6. It will then also adjust to a produce a greater amount of the material equating to the .6 mm nozzle. This will increase the thread spacing so as to accommodate this adjustment.
Recommended Print Settings for PETT Filament
For the nozzle size, if you do not have a big nozzle of about .7 mm or bigger, you may still adjust the setting in the slicer. It will let more PETT material out, the same as having a bigger nozzle. However, there are some limits to this.
If your nozzle is less than .5 mm, do not force it to produce more material because it will put pressure on the extruding components and gears. The line will also start to slip.
- Safe to use for food consumption
- Prints can achieve glass-like appearance
- Recyclable
- Needs a heated print bed
- Requires a slow speed to print properly
Taulman: Best PETT Filament Brand
The most popular brand of PETT is developed by Taulman. It is called the T-glase which is short for “tough glass.” T-glase is a strong material that is designed for those who use mostly PLA filament or use 3D printers with lower temperatures.
T-glase is made of the strongest combinations of PETT polymer available. The best range for printing with T-glase is at 212°C to 224°C. You won’t have any trouble with fumes during printing with T-glase because it doesn’t produce any fumes or odors. The price of the T-glase is at around $28.00.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this PETT review has given you enough insight into what the material can accomplish when it comes to 3D printing. It is strong, clear, food-safe, and highly-recyclable.
If you have tried using 3D printer PETT filaments before, do share with us your experiences. We’d love to know what you think about this material. Also, if you have questions about it, don’t hesitate to post them in the comments. We’ll get back to you soon.
Other 3D Printing Filaments:
www.allthat3d.com/nylon-filament
www.allthat3d.com/abs-filament
www.allthat3d.com/pla-filament
