How To Check the Quality of Your 3D Printer Filament
November 12, 2021
3D printer filament is the heart of the 3D model production process. As such, the quality and characteristics of the filament you employ have a huge effect on the quality of the final product. Because of this, you need to know how to check the quality of your 3D printer filament. Once you know how to do this, you can select the right filaments for the application every single time!
Check by Strength
The first metric you will always use to check the quality of your 3D printer filament is to look at the strength of the material. In this case, strength refers to the amount of force an object can withstand before breaking. When you order 3D printer filament, there will usually be a tolerance rating measured in pounds of force. Before using filament in a project, you should always draw a sample line and test it to verify that it holds up to the guaranteed strength standards.
Check by Toughness
The next metric you can use to test the filament quality is by examining the material’s toughness. In this case, toughness refers to the amount of energy an object can absorb without breaking. Like before, the filament you have received will likely have a predetermined toughness, meaning you can verify their metrics through experimentation and use.
Check by Flexibility
The last metric you must use to check the quality of your 3D printer filament has to do with flexibility. Flexibility refers to the amount of deformation an object can experience before breaking. This is perhaps the most important metric you must examine, as many filaments may exhibit excellent toughness and strength characteristics if it’s overly soft and pliable. As such, before you order your filaments, verify and re-verify the characteristic of the filament and decide if it will work for your application.
While checking the quality of your 3D printer filament may seem hard at first, you will quickly learn that it comes down to experimentation and live assessment. In most cases, the filament you have ordered is a good quality filament. However, knowing how to test a filament will let you know you’re using materials adequate for your application before starting your project.
