How Long Does 3D Printer Filament Last?

Cheryl Owens04 Mar 2022

3D printer filament is the material that prints the digital product you want. It comes in a huge range of colours and is also very cheap. 3D printers use this filament to make physical objects. If you consider buying a 3D printer, you must wonder how long does 3D Printer Filament last? If so, we have all the answers for you!

What are the different types of 3D printer filaments?

There are three different types of 3D printer filaments. The first one is ABS, which has a semi-translucent colour and is the most common type. It prints well on both beginners and experienced users. PLA filament is the second type of filament, and it also comes in a huge range. The third type of filament is HIPS, a bio-degradable material that uses food-based plastics as its base. Each type lasts for varying lengths of time depending on how often you use your 3D printer and what you print with it; the shorter the filament, the shorter the lifespan. Filament lasts from six to 12 months before they expire, with ABS lasting around six months, while PLA can last up to 12 months or two years!

What are the different types of 3D printer filaments?

There are four different 3D printer filaments: ABS, PLA, PVA, and HIPS. They have other properties, qualities, and levels of durability. ABS is a type of filament made out of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It is the most popular because it is durable and has a range of colours. It was also cheap. PLA is a type of filament made of polylactic acid, biodegradable and recyclable. It has a similar quality to ABS, but it's not as durable or strong. Both these filaments have advantages and disadvantages, so if you are looking for the best balance between durability and price, PLA might be your choice! PVA is a filament made out of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). It doesn't melt at high temperatures like other filaments to be printed with greater precision.  This makes it more durable than the different types of filaments listed above, which makes it perfect for use in industrial settings where there are fewer breaks in production due to damage to the product being made by the hot extruder head on the 3D printer (a machine that melts plastics into thin strips). HIPS is another type of filament that uses hydroxy-terminated polysulfone – this polymer comes from corn starch or wheat gluten then undergoes heat treatment to raise its molecular weight. It's said

A way to check how long your filament will last

It is easy to check how long your filament will last. Brand new 3D printer filament comes with a warranty, and it lasts for a certain period. If you are still unsure how long your filament will last, you should take it back and ask for a replacement. If you want to know how long the 3D printer filament lasts, you should check the manual that came with the machine or contact the product company.  There are many different materials for 3D printing, and each material has an expiration date associated with it. This allows you to use up the material without worrying about running out too soon. The expiration date is usually on the top of the box or can be located on the manufacturer’s website.

How long does 3D printer filament last in a general sense?

The lifespan of a 3D printer filament depends on the type of material you use, the amount you use, and how often you use it. Filament made from different materials typically lasts anywhere from 7-10 days.  This means that if you use a more expensive material like carbon fiber or metal and don't use it very often, then 3D printer filament can last up to 3 weeks. If you have a less-expensive material like acrylic or nylon and use it more frequently, your filament can last as long as four weeks.

How long will my filament last before it degrades?

3D printer filament can last from a few hours to a few months depending on the material. The amount of time that it lasts depends on the quality of the material you use.  It also depends on how often you wash your filament and expose it to high heat or low viscosity. If exposed to pollution and sunlight, the filament could degrade in as little as six hours. The lifespan of 3D Filament is affected by many factors, so there is no definitive answer to how long it will last. For example, if you have a high-quality filament that is not exposed to any pollution or sunlight, it may last for a very long time.  On the other hand, if your filament is of poor quality and has been exposed to pollution or sunlight for a long period, then its lifespan may be shorter than six hours.

How to store 3D Printer Filaments

First of all, you should be careful about how you store your 3D printer filament. You should avoid storing it near extreme temperatures because this will cause the filament to become brittle and break.  If that happens, then it is no longer usable. That means you will have to buy more 3D printer filament, which can get expensive. You should also make sure that there are no sharp objects around your 3D printer filament because this could damage the material. In addition, you should avoid storing it in areas with a lot of dust because that will cause it to lose its quality and could even clog up your 3D printer nozzle. Finally, you must make sure that your 3D printer nozzle is clean before each use, or else the filament might not stick properly or even melt when heated up by the printer's hot end.

Conclusion

3D printer filament can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. Different materials have different thicknesses and properties, so you will have to experiment with what works best.

Cheryl Owens

Cheryl Owens

Welcome to Printlitic! 3D printing became a hobby of mine 5 years ago with an earlier model of Anycubic printer. Since then, I have grown to love seeing what people can build & create, and how these printers can change the world.

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