CONDUCTIVE PLA 1.75mm

 

The measure normally used to characterize a conductor is “volume resistivity” with the units of Ohm-cm. This can be confusing because it is not obvious what it means like “miles per hour.” It is simply the resistance through a 1cm X 1cm X 1cm cube of material, with full sheet contact at 2 opposing surfaces. It is often misprinted as ohm/cm which is not a common unit of measure.

We measured the conductivity using a fixture we machined that clamps a sample between 2 sheet conductors and 1cm cubes printed on a Printrbot Simple Metal and machined from solid resin. Here are the results:

• Volume resistivity of molded resin (not 3D Printed): 15 ohm-cm
• Volume resistivity of 3D printed parts perpendicular to layers: 30 ohm-cm
• Volume resistivity of 3D printed parts through layers (along Z axis): 115 ohm-cm
• Resistance of a 10cm length of 1.75mm filament: 1.8Kohm
• Resistance of a 10cm length of 2.85mm filament: 600ohm

Suggested Applications

Proto-pasta Conductive PLA is a great choice for low-voltage circuitry applications, touch sensor projects, and using prints to interact with touch screens (which require low conductivity, that's why you can't use your smart phone screen with gloves on). As a general rule, anything you can run through a 1K resistor should be doable with our material (if you design the conductors to be the right size). This will easily run a low current Arduino, if you are not powering much with it.

What is it made out of?

Proto-pasta Conductive PLA is a compound of Natureworks 4043D PLA, a dispersant and conductive carbon black. In filament form, it is quite flexible, and is compatable with any PLA printing printer.

Print Settings

Bed Temp (if available, is not required): 50° C

Hot End Temp: 215 – 230° C

Dual head printing: stick well to other PLA