Page 190 - Fundamental Of Design In Mechanical Engineering

Plastic/Polymers

◦ PLA plastic or polylactic acid : main applications for this material are
toys, figurines, non-functional prototypes, etc.

(Is a vegetable-based plastic material, which commonly uses

cornstarch as a raw material. This material is a thermoplastic aliphatic

polyester, and it is the primary natural raw material used in 3D printing.

PLA is a fully biodegradable thermoplastic polymer consisting of

renewable raw materials.

◦ ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) : toys, such as Lego or Kre-O

bricks. But it can also be used to print enclosures for electrical or

electronic assemblies, sports equipment, parts for the automotive

industry, or the medical sectors.

◦ ABS is created from Acrylonitrile, Butadiene and Styrene polymers. It is

a material commonly used in personal or household 3D printing, which

is done using primarily FDM or FFF 3D printers. ABS is lightweight and

has good impact strength; it is abrasion resistant and affordable.

Moreover, ABS polymers withstand a lot of chemical formulas. The

glass transition temperature of ABS plastic is 105°C (221°F) 190