Which of the following is a common material used in additive manufacturing?

Plastic is a common material used in additive manufacturing because it offers a range of versatile properties that suit various applications. Many additive manufacturing processes, such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), primarily utilize plastics due to their ease of handling, relatively low cost, and wide availability. Plastics can be produced in different formulations, allowing for parts that are rigid, flexible, or even specialized for specific characteristics like chemical resistance or impact strength.

Moreover, plastics can be easily melted and re-shaped, which is ideal for the layer-by-layer construction characteristic of additive manufacturing techniques. This adaptability also contributes to the material's capabilities in prototyping, functional testing, and the production of end-use parts. Common types of plastics used in the process include Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polylactic Acid (PLA), and Nylon, each offering unique attributes that cater to different requirements in manufacturing.