3D filament for outdoor use

3D filament for outdoor use

Choosing a 3D filament for outdoor use is essential to ensure the longevity and durability of your parts against the challenges of the outdoor environment.

Factors such as UV rays, temperature fluctuations, and humidity can quickly degrade unsuitable materials, causing fading, weakening, or warping of your printed objects.

Why choose a 3D filament specifically designed for outdoor use?

Outdoor 3D filament is formulated to withstand the harshest environmental conditions. Prolonged exposure to UV rays outdoors is the primary cause of plastic degradation: color loss, yellowing, and mechanical property deterioration.

Extreme temperature changes cause microcracks and loss of rigidity, while humidity can lead to water absorption, resulting in deformation or softening of the filament.

Which 3D filaments are best for durable outdoor use?

For strong 3D prints outdoors, favor the following filaments:

• ASA: Market leader for UV, moisture, and impact resistance. ASA is perfect for parts exposed to sun or harsh environments (automotive, marine, outdoor).
• Polycarbonate (PC): Offers excellent long-term mechanical and thermal stability, ideal for technical outdoor applications.
• PETG: Moisture-resistant and dimensionally stable, PETG suits parts requiring durability and ease of printing.
• ABS: Durable but less UV resistant than ASA, ABS remains a viable option for some outdoor uses.

Which filaments should be avoided for outdoor 3D printing?

Some 3D filaments are not recommended for outdoor use:

• PLA: Though biodegradable and easy to print, PLA degrades quickly under UV exposure and climate variations, causing cracking and loss of rigidity.
• Nylon: Absorbs moisture from the air, leading to swelling and loss of mechanical properties, making it unsuitable for prolonged outdoor exposure.

How to choose the best 3D filament for outdoor use?

Choosing the right 3D filament for outdoor use depends primarily on your printer’s capabilities and the final application. For compatible printers, ASA (especially Forshape’s ASA-X version) is the top choice combining performance, UV resistance, and durability.

For other cases, PC and PETG offer excellent balance between strength and printability.

Practical tips to extend the lifespan of your outdoor parts

• Store filaments in a dry environment to prevent moisture absorption.
• If possible, apply a UV-resistant coating or varnish on your printed parts to enhance durability.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures that can weaken materials.

By following these recommendations, you will optimize the durability of your 3D filaments for outdoor use while benefiting from excellent value on your technical materials.