18) Effect of Filament Material on Application Time

The effect of ABS vs PLA filament preference on application time.

We can make a theoretical analysis by looking at the mechanical properties of materials. Let's start with a description of what we do. The action we do is basically removing small pieces from the plastic. Understanding the dynamics of this action will enable us to comment.

Let's examine the tensile stress conditions. In order to remove material from plastic, it is necessary to cut at least as much as Ultimate Tensile Strength. When subjected to more than this stress, some material will separate from the plastic.

ABS=50 MPa

PLA=70 MPa

Ultimate Tensile Strentgh values for ABS and PLA are given above. We will conduct a review using this data.

Ultimate Tensile Stress=Force/Area

Let's shorten it like this:

UTS=F/A

A=F/UTS

The Ultimate Tensile Stress formula is above. Although there are minor differences, we generally work with the same amount of force on each part. So the amount we suppress is usually always the same. Under these conditions, when the same amount of force is applied, let's calculate the surface area of the material to break with this formula.

A ABS=F/UTS ABS

A ABS=F/50

A PLA=F/UTS PLA

A PLA=F/70

For both filaments, the material area to break after the application was calculated above. Let's simplify these values. Let's use the X value for F/70.

A ABS=1.4X

A PLA=X

Thus, when sanding with the same force: While X material comes out of PLA, 1.4X material comes out from ABS.

Let's interpret the effect on the application time using this data. Let's assume that there is an area of 100X on the piece to be applied. According to the above conditions, in a move:

1.4X material comes out over ABS.

1X material comes out over PLA.

Accordingly, we can remove up to 100X the material on ABS in 71 movements.

We can remove up to 100X of material on PLA in 100 movements.

If we use the expression T for the application time of 71 movements;

Time ABS=T

Time PLA=1.4T

For example, in a application;

When using ABS filament, the application time is 5 hours (T).

When using PLA filament, the application time is 7 hours (1.4T).

You can easily notice such a huge impact on the actual application as well. There is no surface quality difference between ABS and PLA. You get the same surface output on both. As a result, I think those who can print ABS should continue with ABS. The advantage of PLA is that it can be easily printed. If ABS printing is not possible, work can also be done with PLA. For professional work, it is the most logical option to work on ABS parts by working with a printer that can print ABS.

Theoretically, we examined the effect of ABS and PLA material selection on the application time in this way. We got an idea of the material selection.