Yesterday I was wondering what type of plastic the free sample I have received was. Naturally, I posted a question in this forum, and also Googled a bit.
One of the ways to tell them apart was the smell test - how sweet PLA smells when melted, and how "plasticy" ABS smells when burnt.
This made me wonder... the one and only PLA plastic spool I have ever owned and used (I'm relatively new) is the black PLA I've ordered with my printer kit. Since I started printing, however, I don't remember ever smelling anything close to sweet or cooking oil. If anything, I smelled burning plastic a few times.
So.... I decided to check the order invoice email..
"2.2lb (1kg) 3mm Black ABS Filament 1kgBlackABS3 "
Holy crap.. it was ABS!!!!
This means.. all this time.. I thought my filament was PLA and treated it like PLA. I'm almost done with the entire spool, and I would not have even known this if it wasn't for that mystery sample filament???
However, I still wonder if this actually was PLA despite what the order summary indicates.
1. The printed objects using this black PLA is very shiny. A lot shinier than ABS objects I have.*
2. The printed objects are quite brittle. ABS objects, especially the white one, is quite soft.*
3. I was able to print at 180 C
4. When printing a small part, the print quality was really bad. I was looking forward to switching to ABS someday, because of a lot of curling and warping problems I had with a small part.
* I have a couple of objects I have printed with white ABS. Also, my extruder gears were printed with ABS (gray). So, I can compare the objects printed with my mystery black PLA:
But then, there are also evidences which tells otherwise:
1. The invoice summary says it's ABS (this would've been the end of the discussion - if I wasn't a type of person who constantly think other people always make mistakes)
2. I have been printing for quite a while without any fans.
3. I did a snap test and the filament requires a number of bending before it snaps*
*I actually was able to snap this black PLA filament easily, but that was because I bent the filament I pulled out from the extruder. When I tried to bend a fresh, unused part, yeah, it didn't snap.
So, basically, the only way that I can explain everything stated above is... it was ABS plastic indeed, but the pigment used for black color contributed to some of the characteristics which resemble those of PLA, even including lower melting temperature!
If that is the case... I first need to cut down my alcohol consumption; I need to save my brain cells (what's left of them). Also, until I become better with this 3D printing business, and resolve all the big and little issues, I should stick with one color, like neutral, to eliminate additional variables.
Man, I may need to change my user ID here, too. I don't think anybody will every believe anything I say.. LOL
One of the ways to tell them apart was the smell test - how sweet PLA smells when melted, and how "plasticy" ABS smells when burnt.
This made me wonder... the one and only PLA plastic spool I have ever owned and used (I'm relatively new) is the black PLA I've ordered with my printer kit. Since I started printing, however, I don't remember ever smelling anything close to sweet or cooking oil. If anything, I smelled burning plastic a few times.
So.... I decided to check the order invoice email..
"2.2lb (1kg) 3mm Black ABS Filament 1kgBlackABS3 "
Holy crap.. it was ABS!!!!
This means.. all this time.. I thought my filament was PLA and treated it like PLA. I'm almost done with the entire spool, and I would not have even known this if it wasn't for that mystery sample filament???
However, I still wonder if this actually was PLA despite what the order summary indicates.
1. The printed objects using this black PLA is very shiny. A lot shinier than ABS objects I have.*
2. The printed objects are quite brittle. ABS objects, especially the white one, is quite soft.*
3. I was able to print at 180 C
4. When printing a small part, the print quality was really bad. I was looking forward to switching to ABS someday, because of a lot of curling and warping problems I had with a small part.
* I have a couple of objects I have printed with white ABS. Also, my extruder gears were printed with ABS (gray). So, I can compare the objects printed with my mystery black PLA:
But then, there are also evidences which tells otherwise:
1. The invoice summary says it's ABS (this would've been the end of the discussion - if I wasn't a type of person who constantly think other people always make mistakes)
2. I have been printing for quite a while without any fans.
3. I did a snap test and the filament requires a number of bending before it snaps*
*I actually was able to snap this black PLA filament easily, but that was because I bent the filament I pulled out from the extruder. When I tried to bend a fresh, unused part, yeah, it didn't snap.
So, basically, the only way that I can explain everything stated above is... it was ABS plastic indeed, but the pigment used for black color contributed to some of the characteristics which resemble those of PLA, even including lower melting temperature!
If that is the case... I first need to cut down my alcohol consumption; I need to save my brain cells (what's left of them). Also, until I become better with this 3D printing business, and resolve all the big and little issues, I should stick with one color, like neutral, to eliminate additional variables.
Man, I may need to change my user ID here, too. I don't think anybody will every believe anything I say.. LOL