3D Printing Materials

A wide range of 3D printing materials from thermoplastics for functional parts to high detail resins (thermosets) for visual prototypes.

Position：

PLA

High stiffness, good detail, affordable.

DETAILS

Description

Applications

FDM is the most widely available 3D printing process, mainly used for low-cost prototyping and design verification with very fast turnaround times.

Strengths

Low-cost
Fast turnaround times

Weaknesses

Limited dimensional accuracy
Print layers are likely to be visible

Characteristics

Price

Lead Time

< 2 days

Wall Thickness

0.8mm

Tolerances

±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (±0.020″)

Max part size

750 × 750 × 750 mm

Layer height

200-100

Resin

High detail and smooth surface, injection mold-like prototyping.

DETAILS

Description

Applications

SLA is most suitable for visual applications where an injection mold-like, smooth surface finish, and a high level of feature detail are required.

Strengths

Fine features & high detail
Smooth surface finish, injection mold-like

Weaknesses

Support marks may be visible on surface
Brittle,not recommended for functional parts

Characteristics

Price

Lead Time

< 2 days

Wall Thickness

0.5mm

Tolerances

±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (±0.006″)

Max part size

800 × 800 × 550 mm

Layer height

200-100

ABS

Commodity plastic, improved mechanical and thermal properties compared to PLA.

DETAILS

Description

Applications

Industrial FDM

Strengths

Larger build size compared to Desktop FDM
Industrial-grade materials
Tighter tolerance compared to Desktop FDM

Weaknesses

Expensive printing

Characteristics

Price

$$$$

Lead Time

< 2 days

Wall Thickness

0.8mm

Tolerances

±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (±0.01″)

Max part size

750 × 750 × 750 mm

Layer height

200 - 100

Nylon

Used to substitute functional injection moulded parts, good chemical resistance.

DETAILS

Description

Applications

SLS is used for both prototyping and small-batch production of functional plastic parts with good mechanical properties.

Strengths

No support material required
Excellent mechanical properties
Can produce complex geometries

Weaknesses

Higher cost than FDM
Longer lead times than FDM

Characteristics

Price

$$$

Lead Time

< 5 days

Wall Thickness

0.7mm

Tolerances

±0.3% with a lower limit of ±0.3 mm (±0.012″)

Max part size

400 × 400 × 450 mm

Layer height

100

PETG

Good for mechanical parts with high impact resistance and flexibility. Sterilizable.

DETAILS

Description

Applications

FDM is the most widely available 3D printing process, mainly used for low-cost prototyping and design verification with very fast turn around times.

Strengths

Low-cost
Fast turnaround times

Weaknesses

Limited dimensional accuracy
Print layers are likely to be visible

Characteristics

Price

Lead Time

< 2 days

Wall Thickness

0.8mm

Tolerances

±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (±0.020″)

Max part size

50 × 50 × 50 cm

Layer height

200-100

TPU

Rubber-like material, suitable for tubes, grips, seals and gaskets.

DETAILS

Description

Applications

FDM is the most widely available 3D printing process, mainly used for low-cost prototyping and design verification with very fast turnaround times.

Strengths

Low-cost
Fast turnaround times

Weaknesses

Limited dimensional accuracy
Print layers are likely to be visible

Characteristics

Price

Lead Time

< 2 days

Wall Thickness

0.8mm

Tolerances

±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (±0.01″)

Max part size

800 × 800 × 550 mm

Layer height

200 - 100

ASA

UV stability and high chemical resistance, preferred material for outdoor applications.

DETAILS

Description

Applications

Industrial FDM

Strengths

Larger build size compared to Desktop FDM
Industrial-grade materials
Tighter tolerance compared to Desktop FDM

Weaknesses

Expensive printing

Characteristics

Price

$$$$

Lead Time

< 2 days

Wall Thickness

0.8mm

Tolerances

±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (±0.01″)

Max part size

800 × 800 × 550 mm

Layer height

200-100

PEI

Engineering plastic, high performance applications, flame retardant.

DETAILS

Description

Applications

Industrial FDM

Strengths

Larger build size compared to Desktop FDM
Industrial-grade materials
Tighter tolerance compared to Desktop FDM

Weaknesses

Expensive printing

Characteristics

Price

$$$$

Lead Time

< 2 days

Wall Thickness

0.8mm

Tolerances

±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (±0.01″)

Max part size

800 × 800 × 550 mm

Layer height

200-100