3D printing has revolutionized prototyping and manufacturing, offering a fast and cost-effective way to create parts for diverse applications. While selecting the appropriate 3D printing process is crucial, the choice of 3d Printing Materials ultimately dictates the mechanical properties, functional characteristics, and aesthetics of the final product.
This guide provides an in-depth look at the most popular plastic and metal 3D printing materials available. We will compare their properties, explore their applications, and present a structured framework to assist you in selecting the ideal material for your specific project needs.
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Plastic 3D Printing Materials and Processes
The world of plastic 3D printing materials is vast, with numerous options each possessing unique attributes tailored to specific applications. To streamline material selection for your part or product, let’s first categorize the primary types of plastics and the different 3D printing processes that utilize them.
Types of Plastic Materials
Plastics broadly fall into two main categories:
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Thermoplastics: These are the most prevalent type of plastic in 3D printing. Their defining characteristic is their ability to undergo repeated cycles of melting and solidification. Thermoplastics can be heated, shaped, and then reheated and reshaped, as no permanent chemical bonding occurs during the process. This reversibility makes thermoplastics recyclable and reusable. Think of thermoplastics like butter: they can be melted, solidified, and melted again, although their properties may slightly change with each cycle. Common examples in 3D printing include ABS and PLA.
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Thermosetting plastics (Thermosets): Unlike thermoplastics, thermosets undergo irreversible chemical changes during curing, resulting in a permanently solid state. Polymer chains in thermosetting materials cross-link during this curing process, which can be initiated by heat, light, or radiation. Once cured, thermosets will decompose when heated excessively rather than melting, and they cannot be reformed upon cooling. Recycling thermosets or reverting them to their base components is not feasible. Imagine a cake batter: once baked into a cake (thermoset), it cannot be melted back into batter (thermoplastic). Epoxy resins used in SLA 3D printing are examples of thermosets.
Plastic 3D Printing Processes
Three dominant plastic 3D printing processes stand out in the current landscape:
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Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printers: FDM printers work by melting thermoplastic filaments and extruding them through a nozzle. This nozzle precisely deposits the molten material layer by layer within the build area, constructing the 3D object from the ground up. FDM is known for its versatility and affordability, making it a popular choice for various applications.
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Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printers: SLA utilizes a different approach, employing a laser to selectively cure liquid thermosetting resins. This process, known as photopolymerization, transforms the liquid resin into hardened plastic layer by layer, resulting in highly detailed and accurate parts. SLA is favored when precision and smooth surface finishes are paramount.
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Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printers: SLS technology employs a high-powered laser to fuse together small particles of thermoplastic powder. The laser selectively sinters (fuses) the powder particles in each layer according to the 3D model, building the part within a powder bed. SLS excels in producing strong, functional parts and allows for complex geometries without the need for support structures in many cases.
Video Guide
How to Choose a 3D Printing Technology
Choosing the right plastic 3D printer for your specific needs can be challenging. This video guide offers a comprehensive comparison of FDM, SLA, and SLS technologies, evaluating them based on crucial factors to help you make an informed decision.
FDM 3D Printing
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is the most prevalent 3D printing material extrusion technology, particularly at the consumer level. The rise of hobbyist 3D printers has significantly contributed to its widespread adoption.
FDM technology is well-suited for creating basic proof-of-concept models and for rapid, low-cost prototyping of simple parts, including those that might traditionally be machined. Its accessibility and ease of use make it a popular choice for initial design iterations and educational purposes.
However, consumer-grade FDM typically offers lower resolution and accuracy compared to other plastic 3D printing methods. It may not be the ideal option for intricate designs or parts requiring fine details. Surface finish can also be less smooth, although chemical and mechanical polishing techniques can improve it. Industrial FDM 3D printers address some of these limitations by utilizing soluble supports and offering a broader selection of engineering thermoplastics and composites. These advanced systems, however, come with a significantly higher price tag.
A key consideration with FDM is that the layer-by-layer extrusion process can sometimes result in voids between layers if they don’t fully adhere. This can lead to anisotropic parts, meaning their strength varies depending on the direction of force applied. This anisotropy is crucial to consider when designing parts intended to bear loads or withstand tensile forces.
FDM 3D printing materials are available in a wide array of colors, allowing for visual prototyping and aesthetically pleasing parts. Furthermore, experimental plastic filament blends are emerging, enabling the creation of parts with unique surface finishes that mimic wood or metal.
Popular FDM 3D Printing Materials
The most commonly used FDM 3D printing materials are ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PLA (Polylactic Acid), and various blends derived from them. More advanced FDM printers can also handle specialized materials engineered for enhanced properties such as heat resistance, impact resistance, chemical resistance, and rigidity, expanding the application possibilities of FDM.
| Material | Features | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) | Tough and durable; Heat and impact resistant; Requires a heated bed for printing; Requires good ventilation due to fumes | Functional prototypes, Enclosures for electronics, Automotive parts |
| PLA (polylactic acid) | Easiest FDM material to print; Rigid and strong, but brittle; Less resistant to heat and chemicals; Biodegradable options available; Odorless printing | Concept models, Looks-like prototypes, Educational projects, Architectural models |
| PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) | Compatible with lower printing temperatures for faster production; Humidity and chemical resistant; High transparency options; Can be food safe in some formulations | Waterproof applications, Snap-fit components, Containers, Bottles |
| Nylon | Strong, durable, and lightweight; Tough and partially flexible; Heat and impact resistant; More complex to print on FDM due to warping tendency | Functional prototypes, Wear-resistant parts, Gears, Bearings |
| TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) | Flexible and stretchable; Impact resistant; Excellent vibration dampening; Ideal for flexible and rubber-like parts | Flexible prototypes, Seals, Gaskets, Phone cases, Wearables |
| PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) | Soluble support material; Dissolves in water, making support removal easy | Support material for complex FDM prints |
| HIPS (high impact polystyrene) | Soluble support material commonly used with ABS; Dissolves in chemical limonene | Support material for ABS prints, allowing for intricate geometries |
| Composites (carbon fiber, kevlar, fiberglass) | Rigid, strong, or extremely tough depending on the reinforcement; Compatibility limited to some expensive industrial FDM 3D printers; High performance materials | Functional prototypes for demanding applications, Jigs, fixtures, and tooling requiring high strength |
SLA 3D Printing
Stereolithography holds the distinction of being the world’s first 3D printing technology, pioneered in the 1980s. It remains a leading technology for professionals seeking high precision and quality.
SLA excels in producing parts with the highest resolution and accuracy, capturing the finest details and achieving the smoothest surface finish among plastic 3D printing materials. Resin 3D printing, as SLA is often called, is the preferred choice for highly detailed prototypes demanding tight tolerances and smooth surfaces. It is also well-suited for functional parts like molds, patterns, and end-use components. SLA 3D printed parts can undergo various post-processing techniques, including polishing, painting, and coating, resulting in client-ready parts with exceptional finishes.
A significant advantage of SLA is that parts are isotropic—their strength is consistent in all directions. This isotropy stems from the chemical bonds that form between layers during the photopolymerization process, leading to predictable mechanical performance. This characteristic is critical for applications such as jigs and fixtures, end-use parts, and demanding functional prototyping.
SLA offers the broadest spectrum of 3D printing material options within plastic 3D printing, catering to diverse application needs.
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Guide to Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing
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Popular SLA 3D Printing Materials
SLA 3D printing boasts remarkable versatility, offering a wide array of resin formulations with tailored optical, mechanical, and thermal properties. These resins can mimic the characteristics of standard, engineering, and even industrial thermoplastics. Furthermore, resin 3D printing provides the most extensive selection of biocompatible 3D printing materials, crucial for medical and dental applications.
Material availability is largely dependent on the printer manufacturer. Formlabs stands out with the most comprehensive resin library, offering over 40 SLA 3D printing materials, allowing users to precisely match material properties to their application requirements.
| Formlabs Materials | Features | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Resins | High resolution; Smooth, matte surface finish; General purpose resins for prototyping | Concept models, Looks-like prototypes, Figurines, Art pieces |
| Clear Resin | The only truly clear material for plastic 3D printing; Polishes to near optical transparency; Excellent for transparent parts | Parts requiring optical clarity, Lenses, Light guides, Fluidics and millifluidics |
| Draft Resin | One of the fastest materials for 3D printing; Up to 4x faster than standard resins, and significantly faster than FDM; Ideal for rapid iterations | Initial prototypes, Rapid design iterations, Quick form and fit checks |
| Tough and Durable Resins | Strong, robust, functional, and dynamic materials; Can withstand compression, stretching, bending, and impacts without breaking; Various materials with properties similar to ABS or Polypropylene | Housings and enclosures requiring durability, Jigs and fixtures, Connectors, Wear-and-tear prototypes |
| Rigid Resins | Highly filled, strong and stiff materials that resist bending; Thermally and chemically resistant; Dimensionally stable under load; Excellent for rigid parts | Jigs, fixtures, and tooling requiring stiffness, Turbines and fan blades, Fluid and airflow components, Electrical casings, Automotive housings |
| Polyurethane Resins | Excellent long-term durability; UV, temperature, and humidity stable; Flame retardancy, sterilizability, and chemical and abrasion resistance options; High performance and robust | High performance automotive, aerospace, and machinery components, Robust and rugged end-use parts, Tough, longer-lasting functional prototypes exposed to harsh environments |
| High Temp Resin | High temperature resistance; High precision; Withstands elevated temperatures | Hot air, gas, and fluid flow applications, Heat resistant mounts, housings, and fixtures, Molds and inserts for injection molding |
| Flexible and Elastic Resins | Flexibility of rubber, TPU, or silicone; Can withstand bending, flexing, and compression; Holds up to repeated cycles without tearing; Ideal for flexible and soft parts | Consumer goods prototyping with flexible elements, Compliant features for robotics, Medical devices and anatomical models requiring flexibility, Special effects props and models |
| Silicone 40A Resin | The first accessible 100% silicone 3D printing material; Superior material properties of cast silicone; Biocompatible options available | Functional prototypes of silicone parts, Validation units, Small batches of silicone parts, Customized medical devices, Flexible fixtures, Masking tools, Soft molds for casting urethane or resin |
| Medical and dental resins | A wide range of biocompatible resins for producing medical and dental appliances; Sterilizable options available; Specifically formulated for healthcare applications | Dental and medical appliances, including surgical guides, dentures, prosthetics, biocompatible prototypes |
| Jewelry resins | Materials for investment casting and vulcanized rubber molding; Easy to cast with minimal ash; Captures intricate details; Strong shape retention for mold making | Try-on pieces for jewelry design, Masters for reusable molds, Custom jewelry pieces, Detailed casting patterns |
| ESD Resin | ESD-safe material to improve electronics manufacturing workflows; Prevents electrostatic discharge damage | Tooling & fixturing for electronics manufacturing, Anti-static prototypes and end-use components for sensitive electronics, Custom trays for component handling and storage |
| Flame Retardant (FR) Resin | Flame retardant, heat-resistant, stiff, and creep-resistant material for indoor and industrial environments with high temperatures or ignition sources; Safety compliant materials | Interior parts in airplanes, automobiles, and railways requiring flame retardancy, Custom jigs, fixtures, and replacement parts for industrial environments with fire hazards, Protective and internal consumer or medical electronics components |
| Alumina 4N Resin | 99.99% pure alumina technical ceramic; Exceptional thermal, mechanical, and conductive properties; High performance ceramic material | Heat and electrical insulators, Heavy-duty tools requiring ceramic properties, Chemically resistant and wear-resistant components for harsh environments |
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SLS 3D Printing
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing is a trusted technology among engineers and manufacturers across diverse industries. Its ability to produce strong, functional parts, coupled with a low cost per part and high productivity, makes it ideal for a range of applications. From rapid prototyping to manufacturing aids, and low volume, bridge, or custom manufacturing, SLS delivers robust and reliable results.
A key advantage of SLS is that the unfused powder bed acts as a built-in support structure during printing. This eliminates the need for dedicated support structures, enabling the creation of complex geometries, including internal features, undercuts, thin walls, and negative features, with greater design freedom.
Similar to SLA, SLS 3D prints are generally isotropic, ensuring consistent strength in all directions. SLS parts typically have a slightly rougher surface finish due to the powder particles, but layer lines are minimal, almost invisible. SLS 3D prints are easily post-processed through media blasting and other techniques to further enhance mechanical performance and surface appearance.
SLS 3D printing materials are perfectly suited for a wide spectrum of functional applications, spanning engineering consumer products to demanding sectors like manufacturing and healthcare.
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Introduction to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing
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Popular SLS 3D Printing Materials
The material selection for SLS is more limited compared to FDM and SLA. However, the available materials possess excellent mechanical characteristics, often resembling injection-molded parts in strength and durability. Nylon is the most common 3D printing material for SLS, a popular engineering thermoplastic known for its exceptional mechanical properties. Nylon is lightweight, strong, and flexible, exhibiting stability against impact, chemicals, heat, UV light, water, and dirt. Other notable SLS 3D printing materials include polypropylene (PP) and flexible TPU.
| Material | Description | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon 12 | Strong, stiff, sturdy, and durable; Impact-resistant and can endure repeated wear and tear; Resistant to UV, light, heat, moisture, solvents, temperature, and water; A versatile engineering thermoplastic | Functional prototyping for demanding applications, End-use parts requiring durability and strength, Medical devices, Jigs and fixtures |
| Nylon 11 | Similar properties to Nylon 12 but with higher elasticity, elongation at break, and impact resistance; Slightly lower stiffness than Nylon 12; Bio-based options available | Functional prototyping requiring flexibility and toughness, End-use parts needing impact resistance, Medical devices, Orthotics and prosthetics |
| Nylon composites | Nylon materials reinforced with glass, aluminum, or carbon fiber for added strength and rigidity; Enhanced mechanical performance for demanding applications | Functional prototyping requiring high strength and stiffness, Structural end-use parts, Aerospace components, Automotive parts |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Ductile and durable; Chemically resistant to a wide range of substances; Watertight when printed correctly; Weldable for assembly purposes; Cost-effective material | Functional prototyping for chemical resistance, End-use parts exposed to chemicals or moisture, Containers and housings, Living hinges |
| TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) | Flexible, elastic, and rubbery; Resilient to deformation and repeated bending; High UV stability for outdoor applications; Great shock absorption and vibration dampening | Functional prototyping of flexible components, Flexible, rubber-like end-use parts, Seals and gaskets, Protective cases, Sporting goods |
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Compare Plastic 3D Printing Materials and Processes
Different 3D printing materials and plastic 3D printing processes possess distinct strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different applications. The following table provides a concise summary of key characteristics and considerations when choosing between FDM, SLA, and SLS.
| Feature | FDM | SLA | SLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pros | Low-cost consumer machines and materials readily available; Accessible for beginners; Wide range of colors | Great value for professional quality; High accuracy and precision; Smooth surface finish; Broad range of functional materials and resins | Produces strong, functional parts; Design freedom with complex geometries; No need for support structures in many cases; High throughput and productivity |
| Cons | Lower accuracy and resolution compared to SLA/SLS; Limited detail and surface finish; Can produce anisotropic parts; Higher cost for industrial machines to achieve accuracy and high-performance materials | Sensitive to prolonged UV light exposure, potentially affecting long-term durability; Resin materials can be more brittle than some thermoplastics | More expensive hardware compared to FDM; Limited material options compared to SLA and FDM; Parts can have a slightly rough surface finish |
| Applications | Low-cost rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept models; Basic functional parts; Select end-use parts using high-end industrial machines and materials | Functional prototyping requiring high detail and smooth surfaces; Patterns, molds, and tooling; Dental applications requiring precision; Jewelry prototyping and casting; Models and props | Functional prototyping for robust parts; Short-run, bridge, or custom manufacturing of end-use parts; Applications requiring strong and durable components |
| Materials | Standard thermoplastics like ABS, PLA, and their blends on consumer machines; High-performance composites on industrial machines | Diverse varieties of resin (thermosetting plastics); Standard resins for general purpose; Engineering resins (ABS-like, PP-like, flexible, heat-resistant); Castable resins; Dental and medical (biocompatible) resins; Emerging options like pure silicone and ceramic resins | Engineering thermoplastics; Primarily nylon 11 and nylon 12; Glass or carbon-filled nylon composites for enhanced properties; Polypropylene (PP); Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer |
Compare FDM vs. SLA vs. SLS 3D Printing Processes
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Metal 3D Printing
Beyond the realm of plastics, several 3D printing processes are available for creating metal parts. Metal 3D printing materials offer unique advantages for demanding applications.
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Metal FDM: This process extends the principles of FDM to metal 3D printing materials. Metal FDM printers extrude metal rods held together by polymer binders. After printing, the “green” parts undergo a sintering process in a furnace to remove the binder and fuse the metal particles, resulting in dense metal components.
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Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS): SLM and DMLS technologies operate similarly to SLS but are designed for metal 3D printing materials. Instead of polymer powders, they utilize laser to selectively fuse metal powder particles layer by layer. SLM and DMLS 3D printers are capable of creating strong, accurate, and complex metal products, making them indispensable in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries.
Popular Metal 3D Printing Materials
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Titanium: Renowned for its lightweight nature and exceptional mechanical characteristics. Titanium exhibits high strength, hardness, and remarkable resistance to heat, oxidation, and acids, making it ideal for demanding applications.
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Stainless steel: Offers a combination of high strength, high ductility, and excellent corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is a versatile metal 3D printing material suitable for a wide range of functional parts.
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Aluminum: A lightweight yet durable and strong metal with good thermal properties. Aluminum is often chosen when weight reduction and thermal management are critical design considerations.
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Tool steel: Characterized by its hardness and scratch resistance, tool steel is used to 3D print end-use tools and other high-strength parts requiring durability and wear resistance.
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Nickel alloys: Exhibit exceptional high tensile, creep, and rupture strength, along with superior heat and corrosion resistance. Nickel alloys are employed in extreme environments and high-performance applications.
Alternatives to Metal 3D Printing
Compared to plastic 3D printers, metal 3D printing is significantly more expensive and complex, limiting its accessibility for many businesses. The cost of equipment, materials, and specialized expertise can be substantial.
Alternatively, SLA 3D printing offers a cost-effective solution for casting workflows to produce metal parts. This approach combines the design freedom and precision of SLA with traditional casting methods to create metal components at a lower cost and with faster turnaround times.
Another alternative is electroplating SLA parts. This technique involves coating a plastic part with a layer of metal through electrolysis. Electroplating combines the advantages of metal—strength, electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion and abrasion—with the design flexibility and specific properties of the underlying plastic material.
Plastic 3D printing, particularly SLA, is well-suited for creating intricate patterns that can be used in investment casting and other metal casting processes, providing a bridge to metal part production.
Framework for Choosing the Right Plastic 3D Printing Material
With the vast array of 3D printing materials and processes available, making the right choice can seem daunting. To simplify this process, we present a three-step framework to guide you in selecting the optimal 3D printing material and plastic 3D printer for your specific application.
Step 1: Define Performance Requirements
The plastics used in 3D printing exhibit diverse chemical, optical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics, which directly influence the performance of the 3D printed parts. As the intended use of the part moves closer to real-world applications, the performance requirements become increasingly critical.
| Performance Requirement | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Low performance | For form and fit prototyping, conceptual modeling, and research and development; Printed parts primarily need to represent the shape and size; Technical performance requirements are minimal; Focus on visual and ergonomic aspects | FDM: PLA (easy to print, good for visual models); SLA: Standard Resins, Clear Resin (for transparent parts), Draft Resin (for fast iterations) |
| Moderate performance | For validation or pre-production uses; Printed parts must closely mimic the behavior of final production parts for functional testing; Lifetime requirements are not overly stringent; Focus on functional testing and validation | FDM: ABS (durable, good for functional prototypes); SLA: Engineering Resins (mimic engineering plastics); SLS: Nylon 11, nylon 12, polypropylene, TPU (functional thermoplastics) |
| High performance | For end-use parts and final 3D printed production parts; Parts must withstand significant wear and tear for a defined period (days, weeks, or years); Stringent performance and durability requirements; Focus on long-term reliability and robustness | FDM: Composites (high strength and stiffness for demanding applications); SLA: Engineering, Medical, Dental, or Jewelry Resins (application-specific high performance); SLS: Nylon 12, nylon 11, nylon composites, polypropylene, TPU (strong and durable engineering thermoplastics) |
Step 2: Translate Performance Requirements to Material Requirements
Once you have clearly defined the performance requirements for your product, the next crucial step is translating them into specific material requirements. These material requirements are the quantifiable properties that a material must possess to meet the performance needs. Material data sheets are invaluable resources for finding these metrics.
| Material Property | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | Resistance of a material to breaking under tension or pulling forces; High tensile strength is vital for structural, load-bearing, mechanical, or static parts; Indicates the material’s ability to withstand pulling forces | FDM: PLA (good tensile strength); SLA: Clear Resin, Rigid Resins, Alumina 4N Resin (high strength resins); SLS: Nylon 12, nylon composites (strong and durable) |
| Flexural modulus | Resistance of a material to bending under load; Indicates the stiffness (high modulus) or flexibility (low modulus) of a material; Determines how much a material will bend or deflect under force | FDM: PLA (high modulus – stiff), ABS (medium modulus – moderately flexible); SLA: Rigid Resins (high modulus – very stiff), Tough and Durable Resins (medium modulus – moderately flexible), Flexible and Elastic Resins (low modulus – very flexible); SLS: Nylon composites (high modulus – stiff), nylon 12 (medium modulus – moderately flexible) |
| Elongation | Resistance of a material to breaking when stretched or elongated; Helps compare flexible materials based on their stretchability; Indicates whether a material will deform significantly before breaking (high elongation) or break suddenly (low elongation) | FDM: ABS (medium elongation), TPU (high elongation – very stretchy); SLA: Tough and Durable Resins (medium elongation), Polyurethane Resins (medium elongation), Flexible and Elastic Resins (high elongation – very stretchy), Silicone 40A Resin (very high elongation); SLS: Nylon 12 (medium elongation), nylon 11 (medium elongation), polypropylene (medium elongation), TPU (high elongation – very stretchy) |
| Impact strength | Ability of a material to absorb shock and impact energy without fracturing or breaking; Indicates toughness and durability, determining how well a material will withstand sudden impacts, drops, or collisions | FDM: ABS, Nylon (good impact resistance); SLA: Tough 2000 Resin, Tough 1500 Resin, Grey Pro Resin, Durable Resin, Polyurethane Resins (impact resistant resins); SLS: Nylon 12, nylon 11, polypropylene, nylon composites (impact resistant nylons) |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) | Temperature at which a material sample deforms under a specified load; Indicates if a material is suitable for high-temperature applications; Determines the maximum temperature a material can withstand before losing structural integrity | SLA: High Temp Resin, Rigid Resins, Alumina 4N Resin (high heat resistance); SLS: Nylon 12, Nylon 11, nylon composites (moderate heat resistance) |
| Hardness (durometer) | Resistance of a material to surface indentation or scratching; Helps identify the appropriate “softness” for flexible plastics like rubber and elastomers; Measured using durometer scales (e.g., Shore A for softer, Shore D for harder materials) | FDM: TPU (variable hardness depending on TPU type); SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin, Silicone 40A Resin (variable softness); SLS: TPU (flexible and rubbery) |
| Tear strength | Resistance of a material to the growth of cuts or tears under tension; Important for assessing the durability and tear resistance of soft plastics and flexible materials like rubber and elastomers; Indicates how well a material will resist tearing or ripping when subjected to tensile stress | FDM: TPU (good tear strength); SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin, Silicone 40A Resin (good tear strength for flexible resins); SLS: TPU (good tear strength) |
| Creep | Tendency of a material to deform permanently over time under constant stress (tensile, compressive, shear, or flexural); Low creep indicates good long-term dimensional stability for hard plastics, crucial for structural parts; Determines how much a material will deform over time under sustained load | FDM: ABS (moderate creep resistance); SLA: Polyurethane Resins, Rigid Resins, Alumina 4N Resin (good creep resistance for rigid resins); SLS: Nylon 12, nylon 11, nylon composites, polypropylene (good creep resistance for nylons) |
| Compression set | Permanent deformation of a material after being compressed and the load is removed; Important for soft plastics and elastic applications; Indicates how well a material will return to its original shape after compression | FDM: TPU (good compression set); SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin, Silicone 40A Resin (good compression set for flexible resins); SLS: TPU (good compression set) |
For a more detailed exploration of material properties, refer to our guide to the most common mechanical and thermal properties.
Step 3: Make a Selection
After translating performance requirements into material requirements, you will likely narrow down your options to a single material or a small group of materials that could be suitable for your application.
If multiple materials meet your basic requirements, you can then consider a wider range of desired characteristics. Evaluate the pros, cons, and trade-offs of each material and process to make the final, informed choice. Factors like cost, ease of printing, post-processing requirements, and long-term availability can also play a role in your decision.
Find the Best 3D Printing Material for Your Project
Utilize our interactive material wizard to discover 3D printing materials tailored to your application and the properties that matter most to you from Formlabs’ extensive material library. Do you have specific questions about 3D printing materials or need expert guidance? Contact our 3D printing specialists for personalized assistance.
