3D Printing Guide on Stone Filaments

It used to be that 3D printing technology is only known for its plastic creations. These days, it is now possible to create 3D prints made of various materials, such as concrete, marble, granite, and clay. Stone 3D printer filaments make it possible to create real-looking beautiful stone creations. Just what are these stone 3D printer filaments and how do you print with it? Read below to find out.

What are stone 3D printing filaments?

There are two kinds of stone 3D printing filaments: stone-filled filaments and stone-mimic filaments. Here are the differences between the two. One is the stone-filled filament made from a composite PLA material that is mixed with powdered stone to give its prints an almost-real stone appearance and feel. On the other hand, stone-mimic filaments are made completely from PLA with no stone components whatsoever but have stone-like patterns.

Stone-filled 3D printing filaments

Strengths

• Produces 3D prints with a near-authentic matte and rough stone look and feel
• Higher density
• Low risk of warping
• Each print has unique gradient colour linings
• Different print settings yield different finishes

Weaknesses

• Brittle
• Abrasive against nozzles

Stone-filled 3D printing filaments are made from a composite PLA material that is mixed with powdered stone to give its prints an almost-real stone look and feel. Due to the powdered stone, they are denser than the typical PLA filament. However, their greater density also makes them more brittle so they need to be handled with care during handling and printing.

Stone-mimic 3D printing filaments

Just as the name suggests, stone-mimic 3D printing filaments replicate the appearance of stone without having a trace of stone particles in its makeup. It commonly has a polymer base, so it has the density of plastic but they produce 3D prints that look like stone on the outside.

3D Printing Tips for Stone Filaments

1. Use a wider, hardened nozzle: Stone 3D printing filaments are abrasive against and clog nozzles due to the stone particles in their contents. It is important to upgrade to a hardened nozzle with a wider diameter of 0.5mm and beyond.
2. Be careful that the filament doesn’t snap off during printing: Stone 3D printing filaments are brittle. They can easily snap when put placed under stress during printing. It is why it’s important that there are no sharp turns in the path from the spool to the extruder.
3. Speed up the fans: Due to stone components of the filaments, it is important to speed up the cooling process to strengthen the print.

Applications for Stone 3D Printing Filaments

• Earthenware pieces
• Architectural replicas
• Landscape designs
• Sculptures
• Models

Best Stone 3D Printing Filaments on the Market

Stone-Filled 3D Printing Filaments

StoneFil Terracotta

StoneFil Granite

StoneFil Pottery Clay

StoneFil Concrete

Stone-Mimic 3D Printing Filaments

X3D Pro Stone

X3D Pro Marble Filament

Get authentic-looking stone 3D prints that look like they came from the Stone Age with Stone Filaments. They may require a short learning curve during printing, but the results definitely pay off. For inquiries, you can call us at (08) 6380 7488 and email at x3d@x3d.com.au.