I really like the Simplify3D Filament Guide and because of it I got a range of different types to experiment with. I thought however I'd start a thread for some of the more "Exotic" filaments out there and thought I'd kick it off with:
Dupont Hytrel: It's a Shore D 60 - TPC-ET thermoplastic elastomer. I've not printed with these sorts of filaments before and can not belive how tough and resiliant they are. I can not rip or break apart the Benchy though it does hold some deformation from the plyers. Normally you can just snap off the funnel but not with this stuff.
I tried 3 different prints (pics of 2 attached)
- Benchy: Needs to print slow (20mm/s) and cool (220 nozzle and 50 bed) else you get curling on the front of the Boat's overhang. With these settings there was hardly any stringing and bridging was OK. The pic shows how it went straight from the printer bed. What stringing was there was cleaned up with a pass of a heat gun.
- Tyre: Printed a tyre for the bearing and this was much faster (60mms) and hotter (250 nozzle and 85 bed) else the extruder would slip at this speed. Given the shape (no overhangs etc) it printed quickly and cleanly. Probably not a great material for a tyre as it is too hard and slippery but it is still flexible enough to put onto the bearing.
- Bearing: This also printed using the above settings but the material is not a great choice as there is too much play and the bearing does not freely spin and tends to bind.
Apart from that it was easy to print. Nothing special at all.
So if you want a tough filament with some flexibility for functional parts, this one is worth looking at. Comes just the one colour - Cream.
Expensive at around US$100 per KG