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Hello, i am compleatly new to 3d printing. I would like to know what resin or filament material has the highest thermal conductivity. I am planning to 3d print a very detailed and complex heatsink so a CNC machine would not work. Thanks!!

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What’s the max temp of the part being cooled? It will help with finding you a solution.

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I’m not aware of dedicated filament for thermal conductivity. You can try the metal infused filaments, probably the copper filament.

You may consider Virtual Foundry filament to have a 100% metal part or Polymaker Polycast. Those filaments needs post processing.

Please share your experience.

Cheers

PS : if you want to find a lot of different filaments, go to www.filaments.directory :wink:

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You can buy (electrically) conductive ABS filament but Copper filament doesn’t conduct heat. It is basically PLA filament with copper in it so it handles just like PLA

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90c trying to 3d print a computer heatsink

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Is there any update on this. thread?
​I have a similar need as well. I need to design a custom heatsink for a thermoelectric element (peltier cooler).
​I already have the virtual foundry filaments and many other metal+pla filaments.

I did not try to print a heatsink using virtual foundry FDM filament and use it as is, w/o sintering.

But by touching it , it does not seem to have enough thermal conductivity. It might still be usable because

of better surface area.

I might go for, aluminum laser sintered prints. It might be the only option.

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My startup company, TCPoly (TCPoly.com), has developed a new high thermal conductivity (>2 W/mK) filament. We are currently prototyping with industry partners, but are willing to ship small batch orders. Please reach out to info@tcpoly.com if interested.