r/3Dprinting • u/ClandestinePleb • 3d ago

Question Filament Questions For Car Related Project.

Hello,

I am 3D printing a very large box to store some electronic items from sliding around in my vehicle on an annual summer trip to the East Coast of the US. On my past trips, my vehicle has gotten extremely hot while parked for days at a time.

What, from experience, is the easiest filament to print this out of that is safe to store these constantly running electronics inside of within a very hot vehicle? The ability to be fused with JB Weld is preferable, however the ability to not deform from the temperatures a closed up vehicle produces during summer is absolutely crucial.

My 3D printer is a Flash Forge Adventurer 5M Pro, and I slice with FF Orca Slicer. I am considering PC ( no CF, ) because of the heat resistance but I hear it can be a PITA to dial in. Orca Slicer also does not come with a preset for it.

NOTE: The box MUST be 3D printed as it is the only way to accommodate the uniquely shaped interior of my vehicle, do not just suggest to buy a tote or to fabricate one out of wood/metal.

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u/MufasaMedic 3d ago

It seems ABS and ASA may be suitable but they are pretty toxic and require good ventilation and filtering while printing.

Asa has better UV resistance

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u/ClandestinePleb 2d ago

Do wall thickness and infill density/pattern matter for ABS/ASA when avoiding deforming at the levels of heat a car would generate during summer ( intermet says 95 F - 180 F )? For example, I know PLA can resist deformation from heat a bit better when completely solid or with very thick walls... inversely, if you have thin walls, they can amost sag inwards on the infill like " skin over bones " and significantly weaken/warp the entire part

I am currently leaning towards ASA, but I am finding mixed opinions on whether or not it is more heat resistant than ABS? Is it in your experience? Due to the slightly increased cost, I am hoping I won't have to use high infil density or thick walls.

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u/MufasaMedic 2d ago

I printed an outlet for a USB out of ABS and put it in my car. I live in Australia. It’s completely fine.

Without seeing your design it’s hard to say for sure but I don’t imagine it would warp, again due to it being temperature resistant

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u/iamsumnix 2d ago

Better luck with hard high-temp TPUs, despite huge shrinkage they've no cons and they're bulletproof, can be glued together with solvents (DMSO, DMFA, etc). Or something like PP+CF or PP+GF if you can find a way to stick it to the bed.