Colorfabb XT vs Tritan

Folks I've looked up both materials and I really need the opinion of someone who has actually used both. The Colorfab XT (version 2) vs the Tritan. I know the Tritan has a higher Tg but aside from that I'm having trouble.

Which is more rigid?
Which is more resilient (take a beating)?
Which can be printed 7-8 inches across and not warp on the print bed?

Application: I'm designing a 3d printed 3 phase permanent magnet alternator (PMA) for a wind turbine. I spent alot of time on designs but the only thing I seem to be able to get to finish printing in is PLA (I've tried T-Glase, Nylon and PLA). I never use ABS because of the fumes issue and I hear it warps badly. T-glase isn't rigid or strong enough. Nylon my be strong enough but it's not ridged enough even if I could get a print not to warp at 7 inches across. I'm concerned that PLA TG (glass transition - warp in a dishwasher issue) will be a problem for an alternator that will likely get warm on the inside.

 

XT is better for the application you're talking about.

Here's a good review for Tritan:

 

Thanks Mike! I'll give them both a try but I'll see about using XT for this project. Is there a preferred vendor? The lowest cost place I found was out of stock http://www.printedsolid.com/shop/175-3/xtclear/

 

@Printed Solid is the preferred vendor

Do you need clear? There's lots of other options: http://www.printedsolid.com/shop/175-3/xt-amphora/

 

Good point, for what I would use it for White would be fine (to keep the sun off). I've tended to go without color because I tend to find the colorized filaments to be weaker than the parent. Thanks again for the help. XT looks like it would be a good match for my project.

 

I've been using the latest XT in green, black, and white.. All work the same with no setting changes, all are awesome. lays down like butter.

 

Bill have you tried printing anything 7 inches by 7 inches or larger? Do you know how the shrinkage compares to PLA?

Ok I've print almost all my pieces of the alternator in PLA at 20% fill and they are almost perfect. Lots of little tweaks to get them just right (so that the bearings can be pressed in). Some of my tweaks are 1/32 inch changes (magnets were inches so I was sort of stuck doing the whole thing in inches). In the end at the widest point it's 8 inches across by 8 inches across. So I'm definitely concerned about bed warping and shrinkage.

 

not a single part, but I've filled the bed with parts. I've had a small problem with shrinkage at corners with larger cross sections than the rest of the parts - which caused the corner to slowly lift. I added some "local skirts" to help hold them down to the table - that solved the problem nicely. It's not unheard of with many materials. Other than that, it's been trouble free.. really strong stuff!

 

XT has minimal warping problems. I've done several prints at 9.5x7" without any trouble. I did try a 10x9" print which warped but such problems can often be dialed out by reducing the infill density. I have to print it slow (25mm/s) and hot (260C) otherwise I get serious blobbing.

 

Thanks Everyone this helped greatly. It actually sounds like XT is the material I've been looking for as my "go to" material, not just the material for this project. And for the folks at Printed Solid, thank you for letting me know the date. I've been a customer before so you will hear from me soon.

One last question what % infill are people doing to reduce lifting in the corners on large prints?

 

I've always used 10 - 15%, and the prints have been completely rigid. The only breakages in the 2Kg I've got through have been due to poor layer adhesion. Being a high temp material it would benefit from a warm print environment; the room in which I print can get down to 10C overnight.

 

THAT'S good intel... I was having a problem with that.

I've been running 240 and 75.. any hotter and hairs start to form.. 10 degrees diff could easily be differences in the machine, me thinks.