All 3D printed parts are not made equal, and if the clothes make the man, then the material makes the 3D printed part. When 3D printing an object, choosing the correct material for the application is just as critical as choosing the best printing technology. For example, PLA is a great material for figurines because it isn’t prone to warping, but it would make a terrible shock absorber as it’s quite brittle.
3D Printing Materials
This guide gives you an insight in the most used 3D printing materials in 2019. For each material, we’ve listed the properties, applications and their corresponding technologies.
Polymer
From realistic display models to functional prototypes, tooling and end-use parts, the opportunities created by polymer 3D printing are immense. Did you know that some high-performance thermoplastics are even tougher than aluminum?
Polyamide (PA 6)Powder Bed FusionSLS, MJFPiping and media flow/storage parts, Fluid reservoirs, Multi-purpose industrial goodsFunctionalRanging from 38 to 66
Ranging from 1.6 to 16Object, print direction and technology dependent, contact us for more informationContact Us
Polyamide (PA 11)Powder Bed FusionSLS, MJFInsoles, Living hinges, Prostheses, Snap fitsFunctional~ 50
Ranging from 35 to 50~ Shore D 80Contact Us
Polyamide (PA 12)Powder Bed FusionSLS, MJF Connectors, Drones, Enclosures, HousingsFunctionalRanging from 41 to 48
Ranging from 15 to 20~ Shore D 80Contact Us
Glass Bead Filled PolyamidePowder Bed FusionMJFFixtures, Tooling, Enclosures, HousingsFunctional~ 30
~ 10~ Shore D 82Contact Us
TPUExtrusion, Powder Bed FusionFFF/FDM, SLS, MJFFootwear, Hoses and tubes, SealingsFunctional~ 10
~ 250~ Shore A 90Contact Us
SiliconeVat Polymerization, Material JettingDLP, SLA, DODSealings, molds, medical devicesFunctionalRanging from 6 to 9
Ranging from 160 to 800Ranging from Shore A 20 to 70Contact Us
PEEKExtrusion, Powder Bed FusionFFF/FDM, SLSAerospace, medical, electrical FunctionalRanging from 85 to 100
Ranging from 2.6 to 3Object and technology dependent, contact us for more informationContact Us
PEIExtrusionFFF/FDMAerospace, automotive, electrical FunctionalRanging from 70 to 80
Ranging from 3 to 6Object and technology dependent, contact us for more informationContact Us
ASAExtrusionFFF/FDMOutdoor functional partsFunctional~ 29
~ 9~ Rockwell R 82Contact Us
PolypropyleneExtrusion, Powder Bed FusionFFF/FDM, SLSLow-friction mechanical parts and food packagingFunctionalRanging from 20 to 25
Ranging from 20 to 75~ Shore D 65Contact Us
PolycarbonateExtrusionFFF/FDMBrackets, fixtures, clampsFunctional~ 57
~ 4.8~ Rockwell R 115Contact Us
ABSExtrusionFFF/FDMModels, alignment jigs, light prototyping BothRanging from 33 to 41
Ranging from 4 to 6~ Shore D 109Contact Us
Metal
Most of the hardest 3D printing materials are metals. They also offer good strength and thermal properties. Most of these metals are available in multiple alloys for different applications.
Stainless SteelExtrusion, Binder JettingFFF/FDM, BJTools, gears, jewelry, miniatures, moldsBothRanging from 521 to 582
Ranging from 36 to 55~ Rockwell B 71 Contact Us
AluminumPowder Bed FusionSLM, DMLSSpare parts, functional componentsFunctionalRanging from 410 to 440
Ranging from 4 to 6~ Brinell HB 119Contact Us
TitaniumPowder Bed FusionSLM, DMLSBiomedical implants and tooling, jewelryBothRanging from 1000 to 1200
Ranging from 7 to 11~ Rockwell B 40 Contact Us
Maraging SteelPowder Bed FusionSLM Furnace parts, ToolingFunctional~ 1135
~ 11~ Vickers HV10 373Contact Us
Cobalt-ChromePowder Bed FusionSLM, DMLS Engine parts, Furnace parts, ImplantsFunctionalRanging from 1050 to 1450
Ranging from 8 to 28~ Rockwell C HRC: 35Contact Us
TungstenPowder Bed FusionSLM Balance weights, MRIFunctionaln/a
n/aRanging from Vickers HV30 300 to 650Contact Us