Selecting the Right 3D Printing Material

Dive into the essential world of 3D printing materials with our comprehensive guide, designed to help you choose the perfect material for your project. Understand the properties, advantages, and applications of various materials to make informed decisions. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced maker, our guide will empower you to maximize the potential of your 3D printing endeavors.

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Thermoplastics: A 3D Printing Materials Guide

Selecting the right material for your 3D printed project, especially if you’re new to the world of 3D printing, can seem like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be! Think of it like choosing the right tool for a specific job. Each material has its own unique set of characteristics, just like how you might choose a screwdriver for one task and a hammer for another.

Consider what you want your 3D printed object to do. Do you need it to be strong and rigid, or perhaps flexible and durable? Think about where it will be used – indoors, outdoors, or in extreme conditions. Some materials are better suited for certain situations than others.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry! Contact us today for support to assist you in making the right choice. With a bit of research and some guidance, you’ll find the perfect material that will bring your 3D printing project to life.

Material	Strength Tensile strength	Flexibility Elongation at break	Durability Impact strength	Heat Resistance Deflection temp.	Cost	Applications
PLA	Medium 35–50 MPa	Low 5–15%	Low 2–8 kJ/m²	Low 50–60°C	$	Decorative items, low-stress parts
PETG	Medium 40–55 MPa	Medium 10–30%	High 15–40 kJ/m²	Medium 65–80°C	$	Functional prototypes, outdoor parts
TPU 95A	Low 25–40 MPa	Very High 300–500%	Very High 20–80 kJ/m²	Medium 60–80°C	$	Flexible parts, phone cases
TPU 90A	Low 20–35 MPa	Very High 400–600%	Very High 20–90 kJ/m²	Medium 60–80°C	$$	Very soft, seals, gaskets
ABS	Medium 35–50 MPa	Medium 10–30%	Medium 10–30 kJ/m²	High 85–100°C	$$	Automotive parts
ASA	Medium 40–55 MPa	Medium 10–30%	Medium 10–30 kJ/m²	High 85–100°C	$$	Outdoor applications, automotive
ASA-CF	High 45–65 MPa	Very Low 2–10%	Medium 8–25 kJ/m²	High 90–110°C	$$	Lightweight rigid outdoor components
PC	High 55–75 MPa	Low 5–20%	Very High 20–80 kJ/m²	Very High 105–125°C	$$	Protective gear, strong functional parts
Carbon Fiber Nylon	Very High 60–100 MPa	Very Low 2–10%	Very High 15–70 kJ/m²	Very High 100–140°C	$$$	High-stress fixtures, rigid brackets

Material properties are tested prior to the printing process

The table below compares common FDM 3D printing materials by strength, flexibility, durability, heat resistance, and relative cost. Values are approximate comparison ranges for printed parts and can vary by filament brand, colour, print orientation, layer bonding, moisture, geometry, and print settings.

PLA

Most popular, biosustainable.

Durability: PLA is moderately durable, suitable for many applications but not ideal for parts subjected to heavy stress or wear.
UV Resistance: It is not UV-resistant and may degrade when exposed to prolonged sunlight.
Flexibility: PLA is relatively rigid and less flexible compared to some other materials.
Cost: PLA is one of the more affordable 3D printing materials, making it cost-effective for a wide range of projects.
Print Quality: PLA is known for its excellent print quality, capturing intricate details and producing smooth surfaces.
Applications: Commonly used for prototyping, architectural models, and artistic creations. Additionally, it is biodegradable and non-toxic.

PETG

Durable, impact-resistant.

Durability: PETG is known for its durability and resistance to impact and stress, making it suitable for functional parts.
UV Resistance: It offers good UV resistance, making it a suitable choice for outdoor applications.
Flexibility: PETG has a moderate level of flexibility, providing some bend without breaking.
Cost: PETG is moderately priced, falling between PLA and more specialized materials.
Print Quality: PETG provides good print quality, with smooth surfaces and good layer adhesion.
Applications: It is versatile and used for functional prototypes, mechanical parts, and consumer products.

TPU 95A

Flexible, balanced performance.

Durability: TPU 95A offers excellent durability, abrasion resistance, and impact absorption, making it suitable for functional flexible parts.
UV Resistance: TPU provides moderate UV resistance but may degrade over long-term sunlight exposure.
Flexibility: TPU 95A provides high flexibility while maintaining structural strength and shape retention.
Cost: TPU 95A is moderately priced and typically prints slower than rigid plastics.
Print Quality: TPU 95A produces detailed flexible parts with strong layer adhesion and reliable functional performance.
Applications: Commonly used for phone cases, protective covers, vibration dampeners, and flexible mechanical components.

TPU 90A

Very soft, rubber-like flexibility.

Durability: TPU 90A offers excellent abrasion resistance and elasticity, ideal for parts requiring compression and impact absorption.
UV Resistance: TPU provides moderate UV resistance but may degrade with long-term outdoor exposure.
Flexibility: TPU 90A provides extremely high flexibility, allowing parts to stretch and compress without breaking.
Cost: TPU 90A is typically more expensive and prints slower due to its softness.
Print Quality: TPU 90A produces detailed soft parts but often requires slower print speeds for best results.
Applications: Commonly used for seals, gaskets, wearable components, vibration dampeners, and soft protective parts.

ABS

Strong, heat-resistant plastic.

Durability: ABS offers good durability and impact resistance, making it suitable for functional parts.
UV Resistance: It is not UV-resistant and may degrade when exposed to sunlight.
Flexibility: ABS is rigid but less brittle compared to PLA, providing some flexibility.
Cost: ABS is moderately priced.
Print Quality: ABS can produce parts with good strength and durability.
Applications: Commonly used for mechanical parts, automotive components, and consumer goods.

ASA

UV-resistant, durable, weatherproof.

Durability: ASA offers excellent durability and UV resistance, making it suitable for outdoor applications.
Flexibility: ASA is relatively rigid, similar to ABS.
Cost: It is moderately priced, slightly more expensive than ABS.
Print Quality: ASA can produce high-quality parts with good strength and resistance to weathering.
Applications: Often chosen for outdoor signage, automotive parts, and functional prototypes that require weather resistance.

ASA-CF

Rigid, lightweight, outdoor structural performance.

Durability: ASA-CF combines weather resistance with carbon fiber reinforcement for improved structural rigidity and dimensional stability.
UV Resistance: Provides excellent UV and environmental resistance for outdoor applications.
Flexibility: Carbon fiber reinforcement makes ASA-CF very rigid with minimal flex.
Cost: ASA-CF is a premium structural outdoor material.
Print Quality: Produces lightweight, strong parts with excellent long-term environmental stability.
Applications: Ideal for structural outdoor components, lightweight enclosures, automotive parts, and rigid functional assemblies.

PC

Highly durable, impact-resistant.

Durability: PC is known for its exceptional strength and durability.
UV Resistance: It offers good UV resistance, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Flexibility: PC is relatively rigid and not very flexible.
Cost: PC is on the higher end in terms of cost among 3D printing materials.
Print Quality: PC can produce high-quality, strong parts with good heat resistance.
Applications: Ideal for parts requiring high impact resistance, such as protective gear, engineering components, and transparent prototypes.

Nylon PA6

Tough, flexible, abrasion-resistant.

Durability: Nylon PA6 offers excellent durability and impact resistance.
UV Resistance: It is not UV-resistant and may degrade when exposed to sunlight.
Flexibility: Nylon PA6 exhibits flexibility and toughness.
Cost: Nylon PA6 is moderately priced.
Print Quality: It can produce high-quality, durable parts with good layer adhesion.
Applications: Commonly used for engineering applications, gears, and parts requiring chemical resistance.

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Carbon Fiber Nylon PA12-CF

Stiff, strong, lightweight.

Durability: Carbon Fiber Nylon PA12-CF is exceptionally strong and durable due to carbon fiber reinforcement.
UV Resistance: Like standard nylon, it is not UV-resistant.
Flexibility: Due to its carbon fiber reinforcement, it is a highly rigid and strong material, offering minimal flexibility.
Cost: It is among the more expensive 3D printing materials due to the added carbon fiber.
Print Quality: It can produce high-strength, lightweight parts with good layer adhesion.
Applications: Ideal for parts requiring high stiffness-to-weight ratios, such as aerospace components and high-performance mechanical parts.

$$$

3d printing materials elongation at yield

Material properties are tested prior to the printing process

Kindly be advised that material properties are tested prior to the printing process. It is imperative to acknowledge that these properties have the potential to undergo alterations post-printing, attributable to factors such as layer adhesion, printing orientation, and print speed, among others.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

PLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic. Derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane, PLA is environmentally friendly. It offers easy printing with low temperatures and produces objects with a smooth surface finish.

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

PETG is a versatile and durable thermoplastic. PETG exhibits excellent impact resistance, and flexibility, making it suitable for functional parts and mechanical prototypes. It has a higher heat resistance compared to PLA and offers good chemical resistance as well. With its clarity, toughness, and resistance to moisture and UV light, PETG is a popular choice for applications requiring transparency or strength.

TPU 95A (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

TPU is a flexible and elastic thermoplastic. It is known for its excellent durability, abrasion resistance, and high elasticity, making it suitable for applications requiring flexibility and impact absorption. It is commonly used for producing functional prototypes, wearable devices, and parts that require both strength and flexibility, such as phone cases, shoe soles, and seals. TPU also exhibits resistance to oils, chemicals, and UV light, adding to its versatility in various industries.

TPU 90A (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

TPU 90A is a softer and more elastic version of TPU designed for applications requiring maximum flexibility and compression. It is ideal for seals, gaskets, vibration-damping components, and soft wearable parts. TPU 90A maintains excellent durability and abrasion resistance while providing greater elasticity compared to TPU 95A.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS is a widely used 3D printing material known for its balanced combination of strength, durability, and versatility. It exhibits good impact resistance and mechanical properties, making it suitable for functional prototypes, enclosures, and consumer products. ABS can be post-processed easily through sanding, painting, or acetone vapor smoothing, providing a smooth surface finish. Its ability to withstand higher temperatures than PLA makes it suitable for applications where heat resistance is required.

ASA (Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile)

ASA is a 3D printing material that shares similarities with ABS but offers enhanced weather resistance and UV stability. This makes ASA particularly well-suited for outdoor applications where exposure to sunlight and environmental factors is a concern. ASA retains its mechanical properties and appearance over extended periods of time outdoors, making it an ideal choice for functional parts, signage, and products intended for outdoor use.

ASA-CF (Carbon Fiber Reinforced ASA)

ASA-CF combines the weather resistance of ASA with carbon fiber reinforcement to improve stiffness, dimensional stability, and structural rigidity. This material is ideal for lightweight, rigid outdoor components that require strength and long-term durability. ASA-CF provides improved performance for structural parts while maintaining excellent UV and environmental resistance.

PC (Polycarbonate)

PC is a strong and heat-resistant 3D printing material known for its high-impact strength and optical clarity. It can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for applications requiring resistance to heat, such as functional prototypes, enclosures, and parts in automotive and engineering fields. PC’s durability and transparency make it an excellent choice for applications where both strength and visual clarity are important. Its resistance to chemicals further expands its potential uses.

Nylon PA6 (Polyamide 6)

Nylon, also known as polyamide, is a versatile 3D printing material valued for its exceptional durability, flexibility, and resistance to wear and abrasion. Nylon parts exhibit high tensile strength and can withstand repeated stress, making it suitable for producing functional components, gears, hinges, and parts requiring toughness.

Carbon Fiber Nylon PA12-CF (Polyamide 12 with Carbon Fiber)

Carbon Fiber Nylon PA12-CF is an advanced 3D printing material known for its exceptional strength, stiffness, and durability. It combines the robust properties of nylon with carbon fiber reinforcement, making it ideal for applications requiring high-performance, lightweight, and sturdy parts. This filament excels in applications such as aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering.