Selecting the best 3D printing filament or engineering plastic is a process shaped by your project’s needs- strength, flexibility, heat tolerance, surface finish, and more. The most widely used plastics in desktop 3D printing and lightweight engineering are PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, ASA, PBT, and Nylon. Each material brings a unique set of mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, which influence not only printability but also the function and longevity of the finished part. Below, you’ll find a detailed comparison of these materials, including their characteristics, ease of ......

Corrosion poses a significant threat to the longevity and safety of metals and coatings used across vast industries. Understanding a material’s ability to withstand corrosive environments is critical for ensuring reliability and durability. This article covers the most widely used corrosion testing methods/techniques, their procedures, applicable standards, and the necessary equipment for each test. Besides that, we’ll provide a deep look at the salt spray test.  What Is the Corrosion Test? Corrosion testing involves different procedures used to evaluate how well materials, es......

Before creating NPT threads in a pipe or fitting, you first need to drill a hole of the correct size, which corresponds to a specific tap drill size. What size drill bit for a 1/4 NPT tap? This article covers the standard NPT tap drill sizes in both metric and imperial units, helping you select the correct drill size for your pipe thread projects. Additionally, we provide clear comparisons between NPT and two related thread standards: NPTF and PT, explaining their differences, compatibility, and more. What Is NPT in Plumbing? The full form of NPT is National Pipe Taper, which is a tapere......

Fastener loosening is a persistent challenge across many industries. Solutions like plain washers, adhesives, and locking wires are sometimes used, but their effectiveness can vary and often depends on installation skill. Lock washers are designed to provide a more reliable and efficient way to keep fasteners secure, especially in assemblies exposed to vibration or fluctuating loads. Lock washers look simple, yet they sit at the heart of reliable bolted joints. In vibration, impact, heat cycles, and settling, clamp load is what keeps a joint tight. Practical tests show that many c......

One of the most basic metal classification methods is to categorize them as either ferrous or nonferrous. In this article, let’s understand what ferrous and non-ferrous metal materials are, as well as their properties, examples, uses, and differences. What Are Ferrous Metals? Ferrous metals are defined as metals with a high proportion of iron in their composition. The term “ferrous” comes from the Latin word ferrum, meaning iron. Because iron is magnetic, ferrous metals can also be attracted by magnets. This type of material is also well-known for its strength, har......

Tapping, as a method for thread machining, mainly relies on the use of a tap. The process is similar to traditional methods, with the key being to ensure that, as the tap feeds in and out, it rotates once and advances by one pitch in the feed direction. Tapping uses the tap to process threads in the workpiece; this process is a type of form tool machining, characterized by high rigidity. The core technology lies in the rotation and feed of the tap, a process precisely controlled by CNC milling machines to guarantee efficient and high-quality production. But how to calculate tapping spee......

Aluminum tubes are available in various sizes, shapes, and alloys. To select the best option for certain uses, let’s take a closer look at the aluminum tubing sizes (round, square, and rectangular), manufacturing process, materials, uses, and comparison with other tubes. What Is Aluminum Tubing and Its Uses? Aluminum tubing is a type of hollow metal with long, slender shapes made from aluminum, which is one of the most common metals on Earth, and is known for being soft, flexible, and resistant to rust or corrosion because it forms a protective layer on its surface. Aluminum tubes are w......

Carriage bolts are a common fastener in woodworking and construction. Their unique design and installation advantages make them a practical choice for many projects. This article covers the Carriage bolt definition, available dimensions, grades, mechanical properties, recommended torque, typical uses, and how they compare to lag bolts. What is a Carriage Bolt? A carriage bolt is a type of fastener commonly used in woodworking and construction projects. It features a smooth, rounded head and a flat underside, with a square neck just beneath the head. This unique design allows th......