3D Printing Materials: The Complete Guide
A practical reference for selecting the right material based on your mechanical, thermal, and chemical requirements. Nine materials across three technologies.
Understanding Material Properties
Choosing the right 3D printing material is the single most important decision in any project. The wrong material can mean a prototype that breaks during testing, warps in sunlight, or dissolves on contact with solvents. The right material means parts that perform exactly as intended in their target environment. This guide covers all nine materials available in our FDM, SLS, and mSLA production systems.
We evaluate materials across four key properties: tensile strength (load-bearing capacity in MPa), heat deflection temperature (HDT — maximum operating temperature), chemical resistance (exposure to solvents, oils, and fuels), and UV stability (outdoor exposure tolerance). These four properties determine where each material excels.
FDM Materials: From Prototyping to Production
FDM offers the widest material range with seven distinct options. PLA (65 MPa, 52°C HDT) is the go-to for fast visual prototypes — stiff, easy to print, but limited by low heat resistance. PETG (50 MPa, 70°C HDT) adds chemical resistance for functional parts. ASA (55 MPa, 98°C HDT) is the outdoor specialist with high UV stability. Nylon/PA (85 MPa, 180°C HDT) delivers high strength and wear resistance for mechanical parts.
For the most demanding applications: PC-CF (90 MPa, 140°C HDT) combines carbon fiber reinforcement with polycarbonate for extreme stiffness and dimensional stability. PA-GF (95 MPa, 200°C HDT) is our strongest material, with glass fiber reinforcement and the highest temperature rating in the FDM lineup. PP (32 MPa, 100°C HDT) is the specialist for flexible, fatigue-resistant, chemically inert parts — ideal for living hinges and snap fits.
SLS and Resin Materials
SLS prints exclusively in PA12 nylon (48 MPa, 175°C HDT). PA12 combines good mechanical properties with excellent chemical resistance and the unique advantage of support-free printing. Complex internal geometries, interlocking assemblies, and lattice structures that are impossible in FDM become straightforward in SLS. PA12 is isotropic — equally strong in all directions — unlike FDM parts which are weaker between layers.
mSLA uses photopolymer resin (40 MPa, 60°C HDT) optimized for surface quality rather than mechanical performance. At 0.025 mm layer heights and ±0.05 mm tolerance, resin produces the smoothest surfaces and finest details in our lineup. Multiple resin formulations are available: standard (rigid, detailed), tough (improved impact resistance), and flexible. Resin is ideal for jewelry masters, dental models, miniatures, and any application where appearance trumps mechanical strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the strongest 3D printing material you offer?
PA-GF (glass-filled nylon) at 95 MPa tensile strength and 200°C HDT. It is our strongest material in both load-bearing capacity and temperature resistance, suitable for structural components in demanding environments.
Which material is best for outdoor use?
ASA is the best choice for outdoor applications with high UV stability, 98°C HDT, and medium chemical resistance. PETG is a budget alternative with medium UV stability.
Can any material handle food contact?
3D printed parts are generally not food-safe due to layer porosity harboring bacteria. For food-contact prototypes, PETG is the closest option, but finished production parts should use injection molding.
Which material resists chemicals best?
Nylon/PA, PA-GF, PP, and PA12 all have high chemical resistance. PP is particularly suited to solvent and acid exposure. PLA and standard resin have low chemical resistance.
What is the cheapest material for prototyping?
PLA is the most cost-effective material for visual prototypes and proof-of-concept models. It prints quickly, requires minimal settings adjustment, and produces clean results.
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