When it comes to maintaining or customizing your vehicle, selecting the appropriate materials for replacement or custom-designed parts is crucial. Many car enthusiasts and DIYers are exploring 3D printing to create specific components. However, it’s essential to understand the limitations of different materials, especially when considering Parts In The Car that are exposed to varying temperatures. One common material in 3D printing, Polylactic Acid (PLA), is often questioned for its suitability in automotive applications.
While PLA is a popular choice for its ease of printing and biodegradability, it’s generally not recommended for parts in the car, particularly those that might experience direct sunlight or high temperatures. Even in locations not directly exposed to sunlight, the interior of a car can heat up significantly, especially during warmer weather. Temperatures inside a car can easily exceed 50°C (122°F), and in some areas, even higher.
Personal experiences highlight this issue. For instance, sun visor hinge pins printed from PLA, even when not in direct sunlight, have been reported to deform after just a single day in the sun. Even Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), a material known for better heat resistance than PLA, has shown some deformation in very hot car interiors.
Therefore, for parts in the car that require durability and heat resistance, it’s advisable to consider alternative materials. Nylon (Polyamide, PA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and other high-temperature resistant co-polymers are much better suited for automotive environments. These materials can withstand higher temperatures without deforming or losing structural integrity. Examples of such co-polymers include Amphora HT5300 and others available in the market.
For components that are non-load bearing and not subjected to stress, such as covers or bushings located in cooler areas of the car, PLA might be considered. However, for any parts in the car where reliability and resistance to heat are important, it’s best to err on the side of caution and choose a more temperature-resistant material from the outset.
Consulting technical data sheets for various filaments provides valuable insights. PLA, for example, is explicitly noted as “not suitable for applications where the printed part is exposed to temperatures higher than 50 °C (122 °F).” Similarly, Nylon is not recommended for applications exceeding 80 °C (176 °F).
To provide a broader material temperature overview for parts in the car, consider these general guidelines for prolonged exposure:
- Basic Co-Polymers: Up to 70 °C (158 °F)
- ABS: Up to 85 °C (185 °F)
- Enhanced Co-Polymers and ASA: Up to 100 °C (212 °F)
- Polypropylene (PP): Up to 105 °C (221 °F)
- Polycarbonate (PC): Up to 110 °C (230 °F)
In conclusion, when selecting materials for parts in the car, prioritize temperature resistance and durability. While PLA may be suitable for some very specific, low-stress, and cool-environment applications, materials like Nylon, ABS, and enhanced co-polymers are generally much more appropriate for ensuring longevity and performance in the challenging thermal conditions found within a vehicle. Always consider the specific requirements of the part and the environment it will be subjected to when making your material choice for car parts.
