The very aspect that makes rubber such a useful and reliable material is what prevents it from being 3D printed. This is the Catch 22 of rubber 3D printing. In fact, any exposure to high levels of heat is likely to burn the rubber rather than melt it. Once rubber is vulcanized, it can never be stably remelted, and since FDM 3D printing involves melting plastics to deposit them, you cannot 3D print real rubber. This process prevents true rubber from being used in traditional 3D printing. It then undergoes a process called vulcanization, where the rubber is heated to extremely high temperatures for it to harden and become elastic. The sticky, milky fluid is extracted and treated using formic acid. Rubber is traditionally harvested from the latex of rubber trees, mostly farmed in Indonesia, India and throughout East Asia. 3D printing rubber is not technically possible, and this is due to the way rubber is traditionally produced. However, calling it rubber 3D printing is a slight misnomer. On top of this, rubber is vital for advanced industries like transportation and robotics. Rubber’s elasticity, durability and stress-resistance make it a useful everyday material. The 3D printing industry is constantly broadening its horizons, and finding more reliable ways to print useful materials. This article will discuss whether 3D printing rubber is possible, alternatives to 3D printing rubber, and the pros and cons of printing rubber-like materials. And with rubber-like 3D printing, the range is stretching further than ever before. The sheer range of properties and applications of 3D printable materials is truly remarkable. 3D printing using flexible filaments that mimic rubber proves just how versatile the industry has become.
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