Not sure which material to choose from?
Choosing the right material is an important aspect of 3D printing. The material you select will affect the strength, durability, flexibility, and appearance of your finished print. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which material is best for your specific project.
What to weigh up
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the right material for your 3D print:
- Strength and Durability: Consider the intended use of your 3D print. If you need a strong, durable part, materials like ABS, nylon, and polycarbonate may be good options. If you need a more flexible part, TPU or TPE may be a better choice.
- Heat Resistance: If you need a part that can withstand high temperatures, consider materials like PEEK, PEI, or Ultem. These materials have excellent heat resistance and are commonly used in aerospace, automotive, and medical applications.
- Chemical Resistance: If your part will be exposed to harsh chemicals, consider materials like PETG or nylon. These materials have excellent chemical resistance and are commonly used in industrial and medical applications.
- Appearance: If the appearance of your part is important, consider materials like PLA or PETG. These materials have a smooth finish and come in a variety of colors.
- Cost: The cost of the material will also be a factor to consider. Some materials, like PLA, are relatively inexpensive, while others, like PEEK, can be quite expensive.
FDM materials
| Material | Properties | Applications | Thermal Deflection |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA+ | Biodegradable, easy to print, stronger than regular PLA | Prototyping, figurines, toys, household items | 60-65°C |
| PETG | Strong, durable, transparent | Phone cases, water bottles, food containers | 75-80°C |
| TPU95a | Flexible, rubber-like, 95A shore hardness | Phone cases, watch bands, shoe soles | 125°C |
| ASA | UV-resistant, weather-resistant, durable | Outdoor signage, automotive parts, garden tools | 95-105°C |
| PA | Strong, durable, high melting temperature | Mechanical parts, gears, bearings | 170-180°C |
| PA-CF | High strength, Wear resistant, impact resistant | Drone parts, automotive parts, sports equipment | 180-190°C |
| PC | Strong, durable, impact resistant, optical clarity | Safety glasses, camera lenses, automotive parts | 135-150°C |
| PC-CF | High strength, stiffness, impact resistance | Aerospace, automotive, medical, sports equipment | 145-155°C |
SLA materials
| Material | Properties | Applications | Thermal Deflection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Resin | High detail, smooth surface finish, rigid | Figurines, Prototypes & Enclosures | 60°C |
| Flexible Resin | Soft, rubber-like texture, bendable | Toys, wearables, phone cases | 45°C |
| Tough Resin | Durable, impact-resistant, strong | Mechanical parts, engineering prototypes | 80°C |
| Ceramic | High heat resistance, insulators, High Surface hardness | Defence, Aerospace & Research | 88°C |
| Abrasion Resistant | Resistant to impact and friction | Machine parts, Gears, and Tools & Dental and medical devices | 68°C |
| Glow in the Dark | Phosphorescent pigments that absorb and emit light (White/Green) | jewellery, figurines, and ornaments & Safety signs, emergency exits | 65°C |
| Clear Resin | Transparent, high detail, smooth finish | Optics, medical models, packaging prototypes | 50°C |
| High-Temperature Resin | Heat-resistant, rigid, durable | Moulds, tooling, automotive parts | 238°C |
| Castable Resin | Low ash content, precise details, burn-out easily | Jewellery, dental restorations, art casting | 50°C |
| Biocompatible Resin | Non-toxic, biocompatible, high-detail | Medical devices, dental models, prosthetics | 55°C |
SLS materials
| Material | Properties | Applications | Thermal Deflection |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA12 | Strong, rigid, chemical-resistant | Functional prototypes, consumer goods | 170°C |
| Glass Fibre Nylon (PA12+35% GF) | High strength-to-weight ratio, lightweight, durable | Automotive parts, aerospace components | 160°C |
| TPU | Soft, flexible, elastomeric | Prototyping, wearables, phone cases | 110°C |
SLM (metal) materials
Selective Laser Melting prints solid metal parts directly from powder. The three metals we run most:
| Material | Properties | Applications | Standout trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium (AlSi10Mg) | Lightweight, good strength-to-weight, conducts heat well | Heat sinks, brackets, housings, motorsport | Light and stiff |
| Stainless steel (316L) | Strong, hard-wearing, corrosion-resistant | Tooling, jigs, marine and medical parts | Tough and weldable |
| Titanium (Ti6Al4V) | Very high strength-to-weight, biocompatible, corrosion-proof | Aerospace, medical implants, premium parts | Strongest per gram |
Frequently asked
Which 3D printing material should I use?
Default to PLA for most prototypes. It is cheap, easy, paintable. PETG if it needs to be food-safe or slightly flexible. ABS for heat resistance (car interiors, tools). TPU for rubbery flexible parts. SLA resin for fine detail or smooth-surface visual parts. SLS nylon for durable end-use components. Tell us the use case and we'll recommend.
Which 3D printing material is strongest?
By tensile strength: SLS nylon > carbon-fibre PETG > PETG > ABS > PLA > standard SLA resin. But strength varies by load direction. FDM parts are weakest along layer lines (Z-axis), and SLS prints are isotropic (equal in all directions). For load-bearing end-use parts, SLS nylon is usually the right choice.
Which material is best for outdoor parts?
PETG and ASA tolerate UV and weather better than PLA (which gets brittle in direct sun). For long-term outdoor use, ABS or ASA with a UV-stable clear coat is the most reliable FDM choice. Resin SLA prints will yellow and become brittle outdoors unless heavily sealed. We don't recommend SLA for permanent outdoor installations.
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