3D printing, also known as material addition manufacturing, is essentially the deposition of materials through a layer of special equipment into shape, and 3D printing materials play a vital role throughout the composition. Just as ABS material intelligence is used to print toys and so on, and bionic materials can be used to print artificial blood vessels, it is 3D printing materials that determine the scope of application of the industry, to some extent, the development of 3D printing materials determines the development prospects of the 3D printing industry.

The common 3D printing materials are ABS, PLA, PVC, PC, and other plastic materials suitable for FDM (melt lamination) 3D printers. Among them, ABS and PLA materials are the most commonly used, such materials are usually low melting point, easy to shape, heat melting through the nozzle deposit printing, suitable for use in toys, clothing, handicrafts and other strength requirements are not very strict occasions, usually made into disc-shaped wire.

Metal (including titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, gold and silver, etc.) powder, thermoplastic material (nylon, ceramics, etc.) powder is suitable for SLS (selective laser sintering) 3D printers, nozzles these powders and adhesives are spread into a thin layer, after sintering by laser, and then spread a layer of powder, sintering again until the article is formed. This kind of material is the most used is titanium alloy powder, aluminum alloy powder, etc. , printed items of high strength, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, suitable for medical, aerospace, jewelry and automotive manufacturing and other occasions.

In addition, there is a photosensitive polymer and liquid resin materials suitable for SLA (stereoscopic photo curing) 3D printers. This material is solidified layer by layer under the stimulation of a specific wavelength of UV light source. This material is faster and more accurate than other 3D printing materials, but the material costs are high and the stability of the product is poor.

In addition to these conventional 3D printing materials, a number of scientific research institutions have begun to mimic human tissue biomaterials, as well as imitation building materials materials research and development. It is believed that in the near future, more 3D printing materials will appear, 3D printing will also be applied to more and wider areas.