I was watching an Info cable channel. The subject was the world wide plastic pollution problem in all its many forms. Of course I was thinking of my plastic 3D printing obsession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I commonly use more than several types of plastic. PLA, PETG, TPU, ASA are my most common. I also have used PVA, Nylon, ABS, and PC-pro. I once experimented with a wax filament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not going to explain what they all are (here), But I will say that PLA (polylactic acid) is the one most touted as bio-friendly meaning it doesn’t pollute the environment when discarded. Turns out that is at least a half-truth or half-lie. It biodegrades only under an elevated temperature industrial process. Not naturally in the outdoor environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is one plastic, PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) that fulfills the promise. It’s the only printable plastic that has a true certification that it is environmentally safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am not promoting it in this report. Only confirming that it does exist as a printable filament for use with 3D FDM printers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By-the-way, if this all seems like alphabet soup, you are correct. It pretty much is. I am not trying to educate or decode the jargon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently the main issue with PHA is its high cost to manufacture and therefore non-competitive pricing in the industrial and hobby 3D print markets. All makers of this product are very small start-up operations with little 3D print market penetration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main market for PHA is with the disposable (single use) packaging operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, the pricy 3D print material is available and I think worth my investment in trying to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n