What is the primary material used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)?

The primary material used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is thermoplastic polymers. This category of materials is crucial for FDM because thermoplastic polymers can be easily melted and solidified multiple times without significant degradation. They possess excellent flow properties when heated, allowing them to be extruded through a nozzle during the printing process.

As the polymer cools, it solidifies, forming a solid structure layer by layer, which is fundamental to the FDM technique. Common examples of thermoplastic polymers used in FDM include polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and nylon, which are known for their ease of use, good mechanical properties, and versatility across a variety of applications.

In contrast, while thermoplastic elastomers can also be used in some FDM applications due to their flexibility, they are not the primary material, as they are less common than the standard thermoplastic polymers. Ceramics and metals are generally not used in traditional FDM processes because they do not have the necessary flow characteristics or properties that are compatible with the extrusion technique employed in FDM. Therefore, thermoplastic polymers remain the primary material for this additive manufacturing method.