In the past I've printed some small housings for electronics. Most hobbyists do, and most of the time we're not considering how flammable (printed) filament can be.
I've gathered a few illustrative videos, as well as a list of materials and possible (Dutch) sources. This may lead to a little investigation into the flammability of filament. I might turn it into a YouTube video, yeah! (Pfffff 🙄)
Videos
There are some interesting videos to illustrate this:
These Candle videos are quite illustrative:
PETG V0 is the clear winner. But, unfortunately, no other materials were tested.
When 3D prints are not massive (and they mostly are not) this video may be more illustrative:
ASA and PLA know how to burn! PETG and TPU were surprising.
Maker's Muse hates Benchies 😉:
He also found that some PLA doesn't hold a flame... but I wouldn't count on it.
I hope that MyTechFun will one day do an extensive FR filament comparison. He's one of my favorite sources when it comes to filament knowledge For now, he only has this video:
Generic takeaway
- stay away from PLA
- some PETGs may self extinguish (but don't count on it)
UL-V0
You want AT LEAST UL-V0. Ignore anything less than that.
- info from ProtoLabs
I think this might also be the reason you can't find ASA as an FR filament (yet). All the inherent air channels in the 3D printed model will work as micro furnaces, and help a fire develop and spread inside a 3D printed model. There's still work to be done.
Possible candidates (and can I buy them anywhere?)
Getting some non-flammable filament at a decent price isn't always that easy. After searching the Internet I picked a few candidates, and then checked where I would buy them, and what they would cost per kilo. I prefer well-known web-shops, distributors, and those with physical stores. I dislike unknown web shops, and have my reservations about AliExpress.
Note that the shops below are mostly of interest to Dutch users, though the products themselves are available in other parts of the world as well.
It's just hard to source any FR material, without ending up with some (over)charging (un)reliable web shops. What is your experience?
PLA
In the past I tried some Innofill FR, and though claimed to be Fire Retardant it burned like crazy, so I skipped any PLAs. If you have any suggestions I'm looking forward to them. Feel free to send me some rolls 😇
ASA
ASA FR exists, and it can be bought in pellet form, but I haven't found any filament made of it. If available, this might be the best material for electrical installations on cars, boats, etcetera.
eSun eABS Max
Their homepage https://www.esun3d.com/eabs-max-product/ doesn't list eABS Max as UL-V0, but under the download section you'll find a UL certificate for UL-V0.
On AliExpress https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001229871687.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allProduct.8148356.5.6f2c3649Oz9yfG&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld for 45.79 / kilo including shipping, only in black.
It's not listed on the eSun 3D Store https://esun3dstore.com/collections/3d-filament, and reviews are mixed. Maybe this is an older product with some consistency issues?
3DJake sells it: https://www.3djake.nl/esun/eabs-max-black for 27.44 / kg + 6.99 shipping, only in black.
Fiberlogy PETG-V0
On https://www.3djake.nl/fiberlogy/pet-g-v0-black?sai=18669 for 47.64 per kilo excluding shipping, available in natural, white and black.
What I don't like is that the material was never formally approved / tested. From the Fiberlogy website: "Filament is not certified by Underwriters Laboratories and does not have a UL number." Humpf.
Prusament PETG-V0
It's probably identical to Fiberlogy, and just as expensive if not more so 😏
There's no Dutch distributor that carries it, it seems, so you're stuck on ordering directly from Prusa: https://www.prusa3d.com/product/prusament-petg-v0-natural-1kg/.
Filament PM PETG FRJET
On Amazon, no less... https://www.amazon.nl/-/en/Filament-Extinguishing-Printer-Suitable-Printers/dp/B0C49RKLKJ?th=1 for 48.96 e / kg, including shipping.
FormFutura ABSpro FR
I found this on 3D Jake https://www.3djake.nl/formfutura/abspro-flame-retardant-black?sai=3764&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3P-2BhAEEiwA3yPhwIJhYbP7Lk-B_8hpgnVHSoPv7ftk8MjwX0KIZwGyyCkfKGbPRWfXgxoCJeEQAvD_BwE for 75.98 / kg in both black and white.
Filament PM PC ABS
On Amazon https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0CDC2WZ4G?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 for 37.36 e / kg, including shipping. Right now, this is one of the more affordable and promising solutions. If it's any good? Who knows...
Polymaker PolyMax PC-FR
According to https://polymaker.com/product/polymax-pc-fr/ this is UL-V0 compliant.
123-3D sells it in white https://www.123-3d.nl/Polymaker-Polymax-PC-FR-filament-1-75-mm-White-1-kg-PC03002-i9921-t23909.html and black https://www.123-3d.nl/Polymaker-Polymax-PC-FR-filament-1-75-mm-Black-1-kg-PC03001-i9920-t23909.html at 59.50 e / kg + 3.95 shipping.
3D jake carries it as well https://www.3djake.nl/polymaker/polymax-pc-fr-black at 60.49 e / kg in both white and black.
You can also get it from EC3D https://ec3d.nl/products/polymax-pc-fr-1-75mm?_pos=2&_sid=9386c316c&_ss=r -- I found this through Google, as there doesn't seem to be a way to search for it on their website. Weird... 59.95 e / kg excluding shipping, in black or white.
Shops (relevant for The Netherlands)
(Just a small list for me to keep track of, as I tend to keep forgetting about certain vendors, sorry!)
- 123-3d.nl
- 3djake.nl
- amazon.nl - complete disaster when looking for a specific filament with FR characteristics
- ec3d.nl
- tinytronics.nl - no FR but they do sell PCTG
To any and all suppliers: please make FR capable filaments easier to find!
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