Material for support structures

With an FDM print, the print object is built up from the build platform. Depending on the material, slight overhangs and small bridges can be printed without material between the construction platform and the print object. However, a support structure is required for steep overhangs and large bridges. The support structure can be made of the same material as the print object or a soluble material. In the case of a support structure made of the same material as the print object, the corresponding parameters in the slicer / print profile must be set in such a way that the material can be easily cut out, but still creates a clean break surface. I recommend you to use the X40 Community print profiles and corresponding filaments, as the parameters there have been adjusted using appropriate tests.

However, there are materials in which the material properties are such that a support structure made of the same material cannot break out. These are e.g. the materials PP, OBC Polyethylene, TPU, PCTG but also some PET-G materials. This also often affects removal from the raft.

Supported breakaway materials

In order to make it possible to breakaway the support structure, the corresponding Cura parameters were optimized for all supported filaments (From Cura 4.11). Please note that temperature settings and removal of the support structure are related. Changing the print profile can therefore have negative consequences! 

In order to get clean surfaces on steep overhangs and large bridges or to be able to remove the necessary support structure, there is support material. The support material can be dissolved in a liquid without damaging the print object or the print object must then be heated so that the support material can be removed. Not every support material is suitable for every print object material. One of the reasons for this is the different temperatures, but also the adhesion.

Compatibility list for dissolvable or detachable support structures  

Compilation by sources in the internet (no guarantee)

BVOH

BVOH is a water soluble support material that can be used with many plastic materials. BVOH dissolves significantly faster and more easily than PVA and, in normal quantities, can be disposed of via the sewer system without any problems. BVOH is inexpensive and absorbs moisture very quickly. Correct storage is therefore very important. It is best to print the filament straight from a dry box.

In the Weedo X40 Community Cura configuration there are print profiles for Fiberlogy BVOH and Verbatim BVOH. 

PVA

Like BVOH, PVA can also be dissolved in water. The process just takes a little longer. The water can also be disposed of via the sewer system. For 3DJAKE nicePVA there are print profiles in the Weedo X40 Community Cura configuration.

HIPS

HIPS is actually a completely normal plastic for printing. HIPS can also be used as a support material, as it can be dissolved with a D-limonene solution. D-limonene, however, is not environmentally friendly and must not be disposed of via the sewer system. For environmental and health reasons, it is better to use the alternatives PVA or BVOH.

P-support 279

PP is a flexible and difficult to print material. It becomes even more difficult when you need a support structure for complex printing objects. P-support 279 is the only support material that adheres to PP, but can also be removed again. To remove the print must be heated to 100 ° C.  

PolyDissolve

PolyDissolve are support materials from Polymaker. The support materials are optimized for Polymaker products, but can also be used with filaments from other manufacturers.

DPA-100

DPA-100 is support materials from colorFabb.

Unlike PVA our DPA-100 is less sensitive to moisture uptake and offers better shelf-life and print performance over time. DPA-100 support material is engineered to match with a variety of materials which can’t be supported by PVA due to bad adhesion to the build material. DPA-100 shows strong adhesion to PETG, ABS, ASA, PC and PA materials.

VXL

The Xioneer VXL support materials VXL 70, VXL 90, VXL 111, and VXL 130 print effortlessly, adhere to most model materials, and dissolve quickly. VXL support material has excellent adhesion to most thermoplastic materials. It bonds to PETG, ABS, TPU, PC, PA, and many other 3D printing materials like a strong glue. Unlike PVA or BVOH, our support material does not degrade in your nozzle even after prolonged exposure to heat. It is also less sensitive to air moisture, making VXL probably the most reliable support material you can find.