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Material used for 3d printing
What Materials Are Used in the 3D Printing Process?
The materials used for 3D printing are as diverse as the products that result from the process. As such, 3D printing is flexible enough to allow manufacturers to determine the shape, texture and strength of a product. Best of all, these qualities can be achieved with far fewer steps than what is typically required in traditional means of production. Moreover, these products can be made with various types of 3D printing materials.
In order for a 3D print to be realized in the form of a finished product, a detailed image of the design in question must first be submitted to the printer. The details are rendered in standard triangle language (STL), which conveys the intricacies and dimensions of a given design and allows a computerized 3D printer to see a design from all sides and angles.
Basically, an STL design is the equivalent of multiple flat designs in one computerized file.
The industry for 3D printing is expected to surpass the 10-figure mark in the near future and plastic is set to be the main material to drive this market. As concluded recently in a SmarTech Markets Publishing study, the market for 3D printing is likely to exceed $1.4 billion before 2020. With an ongoing market expansion, the industry has sought new ways to yield plastics, including the use of organic ingredients like soybean oil and corn. Consequently, plastics are set to become the most environmentally friendly option in 3D printing.
Plastic
Out of all the raw materials for 3D printing in use today, plastic is the most common. Plastic is one of the most diverse materials for 3D-printed toys and household fixtures. Products made with this technique include desk utensils, vases and action figures. Available in transparent form as well as bright colors — of which red and lime green are particularly popular — plastic filaments are sold on spools and can have either a matte or shiny texture.
With its firmness, flexibility, smoothness and bright range of color options, the appeal of plastic is easy to understand.
As a relatively affordable option, plastic is generally light on the pocketbooks of creators and consumers alike.
Plastic products are generally made with FDM printers, in which thermoplastic filaments are melted and molded into shape, layer by layer. The types of plastic used in this process are usually made from one of the following materials:
- Polyastic acid (PLA): One of the eco-friendliest options for 3D printers, polyastic acid is sourced from natural products like sugar cane and corn starch and is therefore biodegradable. Available in soft and hard forms, plastics made from polyastic acid are expected to dominate the 3D printing industry in the coming years. Hard PLA is the stronger and therefore more ideal material for a broader range of products.
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS): Valued for its strength and safety, ABS is a popular option for home-based 3D printers. Alternately referred to as “LEGO plastic,” the material consists of pasta-like filaments that give ABS its firmness and flexibility.
ABS is available in various colors that make the material suitable for products like stickers and toys. Increasingly popular among craftspeople, ABC is also used to make jewelry and vases. - Polyvinyl Alcohol Plastic (PVA): Used in low-end home printers, PVA is a suitable plastic for support materials of the dissolvable variety. Though not suitable for products that require high strength, PVA can be a low-cost option for temporary-use items.
- Polycarbonate (PC): Less frequently used than the aforementioned plastic types, polycarbonate only works in 3D printers that feature nozzle designs and that operate at high temperatures. Among other things, polycarbonate is used to make low-cost plastic fasteners and molding trays.
Plastic items made in 3D printers come in a variety of shapes and consistencies, from flat and round to grooved and meshed. A quick search of Google images will show a novel range of 3D-printed plastic products such as mesh bracelets, cog wheels and Incredible Hulk action figures.
For the home craftsperson, polycarbonate spools can now be purchased in bright colors at most supply stores.
Powders
Today’s more state-of-the-art 3D printers use powdered materials to construct products. Inside the printer, the powder is melted and distributed in layers until the desired thickness, texture and patterns are made. The powders can come from various sources and materials, but the most common are:
- Polyamide (Nylon): With its strength and flexibility, polyamide allows for high levels of detail on a 3D-printed product. The material is especially suited for joining pieces and interlocking parts in a 3D-printed model. Polyamide is used to print everything from fasteners and handles to toy cars and figures.
- Alumide: Comprised of a mix of polyamide and gray aluminum, alumide powder makes for some of the strongest 3D-printed models. Recognized by its grainy and sandy appearance, the powder is reliable for industrial models and prototypes.
In powder form, materials like steel, copper and other types of metal are easier to transport and mold into desired shapes. As with the various types of plastic used in 3D printing, metal powder must be heated to the point where it can be distributed layer-by-layer to form a completed shape.
Resins
One of the more limiting and therefore less-used materials in 3D printing is resin. Compared to other 3D-applicable materials, resin offers limited flexibility and strength. Made of liquid polymer, resin reaches its end state with exposure to UV light. Resin is generally found in black, white and transparent varieties, but certain printed items have also been produced in orange, red, blue and green.
The material comes in the following three categories:
- High-detail resins: Generally used for small models that require intricate detail. For example, four-inch figurines with complex wardrobe and facial details are often printed with this grade of resin.
- Paintable resin: Sometimes used in smooth-surface 3D prints, resins in this class are noted for their aesthetic appeal. Figurines with rendered facial details, such as fairies, are often made of paintable resin.
- Transparent resin: This is the strongest class of resin and therefore the most suitable for a range of 3D-printed products. Often used for models that must be smother to the touch and transparent in appearance.
Transparent resins of clear and colored varieties are used to make figurines, chess pieces, rings and small household accessories and fixtures.
Metal
The second-most-popular material in the industry of 3D printing is metal, which is used through a process known as direct metal laser sintering or DMLS. This technique has already been embraced by manufacturers of air-travel equipment who have used metal 3D printing to speed up and simplify the construction of component parts.
DMLS printers have also caught on with makers of jewelry products, which can be produced much faster and in larger quantities — all without the long hours of painstakingly detailed work — with 3D printing.
Metal can produce a stronger and arguably more diverse array of everyday items. Jewelers have used steel and copper to produce engraved bracelets on 3D printers. One of the main advantages of this process is that the engraving work is handled by the printer. As such, bracelets can be finished by the box-load in just a few mechanically programmed steps that do not involve the hands-on labor that engraving work once required.
The technology for metal-based 3D printing is also opening doors for machine manufacturers to ultimately use DMLS to produce at speeds and volumes that would be impossible with current assembly equipment. Supporters of these developments believe 3D printing would allow machine-makers to produce metal parts with strength superior to conventional parts that consist of refined metals.
In the meantime, the use of 3D parts is taking flight in the aerospace industry. In what has been the most ambitious push of its kind, GE Aviation plans to print engine injectors at an annual rate of 35,000 units by 2020.
The range of metals that are applicable to the DMLS technique is just as diverse as the various 3D printer plastic types:
- Stainless-steel: Ideal for printing out utensils, cookware and other items that could ultimately come into contact with water.
- Bronze: Can be used to make vases and other fixtures.
- Gold: Ideal for printed rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
- Nickel: Suitable for the printing of coins.
- Aluminum: Ideal for thin metal objects.
- Titanium: The preferred choice for strong, solid fixtures.
In the printing process, metal is utilized in dust form. The metal dust is fired to attain its hardness. This allows printers to bypass casting and make direct use of metal dust in the formation of metal parts. Once the printing has completed, these parts can then be electro-polished and released to the market.
Metal dust is most often used to print prototypes of metal instruments, but it has also been used to produce finished, marketable products such as jewelry. Powderized metal has even been used to make medical devices.
When metal dust is used for 3D printing, the process allows for a reduced number of parts in the finished product. For example, 3D printers have produced rocket injectors that consist of just two parts, whereas a similar device welded in the traditional manner will typically consist of more than 100 individual pieces.
Carbon Fiber
Composites such as carbon fiber are used in 3D printers as a top-coat over plastic materials. The purpose is to make the plastic stronger. The combination of carbon fiber over plastic has been used in the 3D printing industry as a fast, convenient alternative to metal. In the future, 3D carbon fiber printing is expected to replace the much slower process of carbon-fiber layup.
With the use of conductive carbomorph, manufacturers can reduce the number of steps required to assemble electromechanical devices.
Graphite and Graphene
Graphene has become a popular choice for 3D printing because of its strength and conductivity. The material is ideal for device parts that need to be flexible, such as touchscreens. Graphene is also used for solar panels and building parts. Proponents of the graphene option claim it is one of the most flexible of 3D-applicable materials.
The use of graphene in printing received its largest boost through a partnership between the 3D Group and Kibaran Resources, an Australian mining company. The pure carbon, which was first discovered in 2004, has proven to be the most electrically conductive material in laboratory tests. Graphene is light yet strong, which makes it the suitable material for a range of products.
Nitinol
As a common material in medical implants, nitinol is valued in the 3D printing world for its super-elasticity. Made from a mixture of nickel and titanium, nitinol can bend to considerable degrees without breaking.
Even if folded in half, the material can be restored to its original shape. As such, nitinol is one of the strongest materials with flexible qualities. For the production of medical products, nitinol allows printers to accomplish things that would otherwise be impossible.
Paper
Designs can be printed on paper with 3D technology to achieve a far more realistic prototype than a flat illustration. When a design is presented for approval, the 3D-printed model allows the presenter to convey the essence of the design with greater detail and accuracy. This makes the presentation far more compelling, as it gives a more vivid sense of the engineering realities should the design be taken to fruition.
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Guide to 3D Printing Materials: Types, Applications, and Properties
3D printing empowers you to prototype and manufacture parts for a wide range of applications quickly and cost-effectively. But choosing the right 3D printing process is just one side of the coin. Ultimately, it'll be largely up to the materials to enable you to create parts with the desired mechanical properties, functional characteristics, or looks.
This comprehensive guide to 3D printing materials showcases the most popular plastic and metal 3D printing materials available, compares their properties, applications, and describes a framework that you can use to choose the right one for your project.
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There are dozens of plastic materials available for 3D printing, each with its unique qualities that make it best suited to specific use cases. To simplify the process of finding the material best suited for a given part or product, let’s first look at the main types of plastics and the different 3D printing processes.
There are the two main types of plastics:
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Thermoplastics are the most commonly used type of plastic. The main feature that sets them apart from thermosets is their ability to go through numerous melt and solidification cycles. Thermoplastics can be heated and formed into the desired shape. The process is reversible, as no chemical bonding takes place, which makes recycling or melting and reusing thermoplastics feasible. A common analogy for thermoplastics is butter, which can be melted, re-solidify, and melted again. With each melting cycle, the properties change slightly.
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Thermosetting plastics (also referred to as thermosets) remain in a permanent solid state after curing. Polymers in thermosetting materials cross-link during a curing process that is induced by heat, light, or suitable radiation. Thermosetting plastics decompose when heated rather than melting, and will not reform upon cooling. Recycling thermosets or returning the material back into its base ingredients is not possible. A thermosetting material is like cake batter, once baked into a cake, it cannot be melted back into batter again.
The three most established plastic 3D printing processes today are the following:
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Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers melt and extrude thermoplastic filaments, which a printer nozzle deposits layer by layer in the build area.
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Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers use a laser to cure thermosetting liquid resins into hardened plastic in a process called photopolymerization.
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Selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printers use a high-powered laser to fuse small particles of thermoplastic powder.
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Fused deposition modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), is the most widely used form of 3D printing at the consumer level, fueled by the emergence of hobbyist 3D printers.
This technique is well-suited for basic proof-of-concept models, as well as quick and low-cost prototyping of simple parts, such as parts that might typically be machined.
Consumer level FDM has the lowest resolution and accuracy when compared to other plastic 3D printing processes and is not the best option for printing complex designs or parts with intricate features.
Higher-quality finishes may be obtained through chemical and mechanical polishing processes. Industrial FDM 3D printers use soluble supports to mitigate some of these issues and offer a wider range of engineering thermoplastics or even composites, but they also come at a steep price.
As the melted filament forms each layer, sometimes voids can remain between layers when they don’t adhere fully. This results in anisotropic parts, which is important to consider when you are designing parts meant to bear load or resist pulling.
FDM 3D printing materials are available in a variety of color options. Various experimental plastic filament blends also exist to create parts with wood- or metal-like surfaces.
The most common FDM 3D printing materials are ABS, PLA, and their various blends. More advanced FDM printers can also print with other specialized materials that offer properties like higher heat resistance, impact resistance, chemical resistance, and rigidity.
| Material | Features | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) | Tough and durable Heat and impact resistant Requires a heated bed to print Requires ventilation | Functional prototypes |
| PLA (polylactic acid) | The easiest FDM materials to print Rigid, strong, but brittle Less resistant to heat and chemicals Biodegradable Odorless | Concept models Looks-like prototypes |
| PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) | Compatible with lower printing temperatures for faster production Humidity and chemical resistant High transparency Can be food safe | Waterproof applications Snap-fit components |
| Nylon | Strong, durable, and lightweight Tough and partially flexible Heat and impact resistant Very complex to print on FDM | Functional prototypes Wear resistant parts |
| TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) | Flexible and stretchable Impact resistant Excellent vibration dampening | Flexible prototypes |
| PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) | Soluble support material Dissolves in water | Support material |
| HIPS (high impact polystyrene) | Soluble support material most commonly used with ABS Dissolves in chemical limonene | Support material |
| Composites (carbon fiber, kevlar, fiberglass) | Rigid, strong, or extremely tough Compatibility limited to some expensive industrial FDM 3D printers | Functional prototypes Jigs, fixtures, and tooling |
Stereolithography was the world’s first 3D printing technology, invented in the 1980s, and is still one of the most popular technologies for professionals.
SLA parts have the highest resolution and accuracy, the clearest details, and the smoothest surface finish of all plastic 3D printing technologies. Resin 3D printing is a great option for highly detailed prototypes requiring tight tolerances and smooth surfaces, such as molds, patterns, and functional parts. SLA parts can also be highly polished and/or painted after printing, resulting in client-ready parts with high-detailed finishes.
Parts printed using SLA 3D printing are generally isotropic—their strength is more or less consistent regardless of orientation because chemical bonds happen between each layer. This results in parts with predictable mechanical performance critical for applications like jigs and fixtures, end-use parts, and functional prototyping.
SLA offers the widest range of material options for plastic 3D printing.
SLA 3D printing is highly versatile, offering resin formulations with a wide range of optical, mechanical, and thermal properties to match those of standard, engineering, and industrial thermoplastics.
| Formlabs Materials | Features | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Resins | High resolution Smooth, matte surface finish | Concept models Looks-like prototypes |
| Clear Resin | The only truly clear material for plastic 3D printing Polishes to near optical transparency | Parts requiring optical transparency Millifluidics |
| Draft Resin | One of the fastest materials for 3D printing 4x faster than standard resins, up to 10x faster than FDM | Initial Prototypes Rapid Iterations |
| Tough and Durable Resins | Strong, robust, functional, and dynamic materials Can handle compression, stretching, bending, and impacts without breaking Various materials with properties similar to ABS or PE | Housings and enclosures 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 | Jigs, fixtures, and tooling Turbines and fan blades Fluid and airflow components Electrical casings and automotive housings |
| Polyurethane Resins | Excellent long-term durability UV, temperature, and humidity stable Flame retardancy, sterilizability, and chemical and abrasion resistance | High performance automotive, aerospace, and machinery components Robust and rugged end-use parts Tough, longer-lasting functional prototypes |
| High Temp Resin | High temperature resistance High precision | Hot air, gas, and fluid flow Heat resistant mounts, housings, and fixtures Molds and inserts |
| Flexible and Elastic Resins | Flexibility of rubber, TPU, or silicone Can withstand bending, flexing, and compression Holds up to repeated cycles without tearing | Consumer goods prototyping Compliant features for robotics Medical devices and anatomical models Special effects props and models |
| Medical and dental resins | A wide range of biocompatible resins for producing medical and dental appliances | Dental and medical appliances, including surgical guides, dentures, and prosthetics |
| Jewelry resins | Materials for investment casting and vulcanized rubber molding Easy to cast, with intricate details and strong shape retention | Try-on pieces Masters for reusable molds Custom jewelry |
| ESD Resin | ESD-safe material to improve electronics manufacturing workflows | Tooling & fixturing for electronics manufacturing Anti-static prototypes and end-use components Custom trays for component handling and storage |
| Ceramic Resin | Stone-like finish Can be fired to create a fully ceramic piece | Engineering research Art and design pieces |
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Selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing is trusted by engineers and manufacturers across different industries for its ability to produce strong, functional parts. Low cost per part, high productivity, and established materials make the technology ideal for a range of applications from rapid prototyping to small-batch, bridge, or custom manufacturing.
As the unfused powder supports the part during printing, there’s no need for dedicated support structures. This makes SLS ideal for complex geometries, including interior features, undercuts, thin walls, and negative features.
Just like SLA, SLS parts are also generally more isotropic than FDM parts. SLS parts have a slightly rough surface finish due to the powder particles, but almost no visible layer lines.
SLS 3D printing materials are ideal for a range of functional applications, from engineering consumer products to manufacturing and healthcare.
The material selection for SLS is limited compared to FDM and SLA, but the available materials have excellent mechanical characteristics, with strength resembling injection-molded parts. The most common material for selective laser sintering is nylon, a popular engineering thermoplastic with excellent mechanical properties. Nylon is lightweight, strong, and flexible, as well as stable against impact, chemicals, heat, UV light, water, and dirt.
| 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 | Functional prototyping End-use parts Medical devices |
| Nylon 11 | Similar properties to Nylon 12, but with a higher elasticity, elongation at break, and impact resistance, but lower stiffness | Functional prototyping End-use parts Medical devices |
| TPU | Flexible, elastic, and rubbery Resilient to deformation High UV stability Great shock absorption | Functional prototyping Flexible, rubber-like end-use parts Medical devices |
| Nylon composites | Nylon materials reinforced with glass, aluminum, or carbon fiber for added strength and rigidity | Functional prototyping Structural end-use parts |
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Different 3D printing materials and processes have their own strengths and weaknesses that define their suitability for different applications. The following table provides a high level summary of some key characteristics and considerations.
| FDM | SLA | SLS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pros | Low-cost consumer machines and materials available | Great value High accuracy Smooth surface finish Range of functional materials | Strong functional parts Design freedom No need for support structures |
| Cons | Low accuracy Low details Limited design compatibility High cost industrial machines if accuracy and high performance materials are needed | Sensitive to long exposure to UV light | More expensive hardware Limited material options |
| Applications | Low-cost rapid prototyping Basic proof-of-concept models Select end-use parts with high-end industrial machines and materials | Functional prototyping Patterns, molds, and tooling Dental applications Jewelry prototyping and casting Models and props | Functional prototyping Short-run, bridge, or custom manufacturing |
| Materials | Standard thermoplastics, such as ABS, PLA, and their various blends on consumer level machines. High performance composites on high cost industrial machines | Varieties of resin (thermosetting plastics). Standard, engineering (ABS-like, PP-like, flexible, heat-resistant), castable, dental, and medical (biocompatible). | Engineering thermoplastics. Nylon 11, Nylon 12, and their composites, thermoplastic elastomers such as TPU. |
Beyond plastics, there are multiple 3D printing processes available for metal 3D printing.
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Metal FDM
Metal FDM printers work similarly to traditional FDM printers, but use extrude metal rods held together by polymer binders. The finished “green” parts are then sintered in a furnace to remove the binder.
SLM and DMLS printers work similarly to SLS printers, but instead of fusing polymer powders, they fuse metal powder particles together layer by layer using a laser. SLM and DMLS 3D printers can create strong, accurate, and complex metal products, making this process ideal for aerospace, automotive, and medical applications.
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Titanium is lightweight and has excellent mechanical characteristics. It is strong, hard and highly resistant to heat, oxidation, and acid.
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Stainless steel has high strength, high ductility, and is resistant to corrosion.
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Aluminum is a lightweight, durable, strong, and has good thermal properties.
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Tool steel is a hard, scratch-resistant material that you can use to print end-use tools and other high-strength parts..
- Nickel alloys have high tensile, creep and rupture strength and are heat and corrosion resistant.
Compared to plastic 3D printing technologies, metal 3D printing is substantially more costly and complex, limiting its accessibility to most businesses.
Alternatively, SLA 3D printing is well-suited for casting workflows that produce metal parts at a lower cost, with greater design freedom, and in less time than traditional methods.
Another alternative is electroplating SLA parts, which involves coating a plastic material in a layer of metal via electrolysis. This combines some of the best qualities of metal—strength, electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion and abrasion—with the specific properties of the primary (usually plastic) material.
Plastic 3D printing is well-suited to create patterns that can be cast to produce metal parts.
With all these materials and 3D printing options available, how can you make the right selection?
Here’s our three-step framework to choose the right 3D printing material for your application.
Plastics used for 3D printing have different chemical, optical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics that determine how the 3D printed parts will perform. As the intended use approaches real-world usage, performance requirements increase accordingly.
| Requirement | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Low performance | For form and fit prototyping, conceptual modeling, and research and development, printed parts only need to meet low technical performance requirements. Example: A form prototype of a soup ladle for ergonomic testing. No functional performance requirements needed besides surface finish. | FDM: PLA SLA: Standard Resins, Clear Resin (transparent part), Draft Resin (fast printing) |
| Moderate performance | For validation or pre-production uses, printed parts must behave as closely to final production parts as possible for functional testing but do not have strict lifetime requirements. Example: A housing for electronic components to protect against sudden impact. Performance requirements include ability to absorb impact, housing needs to snap together and hold its shape. | FDM: ABS SLA: Engineering Resins SLS: Nylon 11, Nylon 12, TPU |
| High performance | For end-use parts, final 3D printed production parts must stand up to significant wear for a specific time period, whether that’s one day, one week, or several years. Example: Shoe outsoles. | FDM: Composites SLA: Engineering, Medical, Dental, or Jewelry Resins SLS: Nylon 11, Nylon 12, TPU, nylon composites |
Performance requirements include strict lifetime testing with cyclic loading and unloading, color fastness over periods of years, amongst others like tear resistance.Once you’ve identified the performance requirements for your product, the next step is translating them into material requirements—the properties of a material that will satisfy those performance needs. You’ll typically find these metrics on a material’s data sheet.
| Requirement | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | Resistance of a material to breaking under tension. High tensile strength is important for structural, load bearing, mechanical, or statical parts. | FDM: PLA SLA: Clear Resin, Rigid Resins SLS: Nylon 12, nylon composites |
| Flexural modulus | Resistance of a material to bending under load. Good indicator for either the stiffness (high modulus) or the flexibility (low modulus) of a material. | FDM: PLA (high), ABS (medium) SLA: Rigid Resins (high), Tough and Durable Resins (medium), Flexible and Elastic Resins (low) SLS: nylon composites (high), Nylon 12 (medium) |
| Elongation | Resistance of a material to breaking when stretched. Helps you compare flexible materials based on how much they can stretch. Also indicates if a material will deform first, or break suddenly. | FDM: ABS (medium), TPU (high) SLA: Tough and Durable Resins (medium), Polyurethane Resins (medium), Flexible and Elastic Resins (high) SLS: Nylon 12 (medium), Nylon 11 (medium), TPU (high) |
| Impact strength | Ability of a material to absorb shock and impact energy without breaking. Indicates toughness and durability, helps you figure out how easily a material will break when dropped on the ground or crashed into another object. | FDM: ABS, Nylon SLA: Tough 2000 Resin, Tough 1500 Resin, Grey Pro Resin, Durable Resin, Polyurethane Resins SLS: Nylon 12, Nylon 11, nylon composites |
| Heat deflection temperature | Temperature at which a sample deforms under a specified load. Indicates if a material is suitable for high temperature applications. | SLA: High Temp Resin, Rigid Resins SLS: Nylon 12, Nylon 11, nylon composites |
| Hardness (durometer) | Resistance of a material to surface deformation. Helps you identify the right “softness” for soft plastics, like rubber and elastomers for certain applications. | FDM: TPU SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin SLS: TPU |
| Tear strength | Resistance of a material to growth of cuts under tension. Important to assess the durability and the resistance to tearing of soft plastics and flexible materials, such as rubber. | FDM: TPU SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin, Durable Resin SLS: Nylon 11, TPU |
| Creep | Creep is the tendency of a material to deform permanently under the influence of constant stress: tensile, compressive, shear, or flexural. Low creep indicates longevity for hard plastics and is crucial for structural parts. | FDM: ABS SLA: Polyurethane Resins, Rigid Resins SLS: Nylon 12, Nylon 11, nylon composites |
| Compression set | Permanent deformation after material has been compressed. Important for soft plastics and elastic applications, tells you if a material will return to its original shape after the load is removed. | FDM: TPU SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin SLS: TPU |
For even more details on material properties, read our guide to about the most common mechanical and thermal properties.
Once you translate performance requirements to material requirements, you’ll most likely end up with a single material or a smaller group of materials that could be suitable for your application.
If there are multiple materials that fulfil your basic requirements, you can then look at a wider range of desired characteristics and consider the pros, cons, and trade-offs of the given materials and processes to make the final choice.
Try our interactive material wizard to find materials based on your application and the properties you care the most about from our growing library of materials. Do you have specific questions about 3D printing materials? Contact our experts.
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types, applications and features
3D printing enables rapid and cost-effective prototyping and production of models for a wide range of applications. But choosing the right 3D printing technology is only one side of the coin. Ultimately, the ability to create models with the required mechanical properties, functional characteristics or appearance will depend on the materials.
This comprehensive guide provides information on the most popular plastic and metal 3D printing materials available, compares their properties and applications, and provides guidance on how to select the most suitable material for your project. nine0003
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Need help choosing your 3D printing material? Our new interactive materials wizard will help you select the right material from our growing range of polymers, based on your intended application and the properties that matter most to you.
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Dozens of plastic materials are available for 3D printing. Each of them has unique properties suitable for specific applications. To make it easier to find the best material for a particular model or product, let's first look at the main types of plastics and the various 3D printing processes. nine0003
There are two main types of plastics:
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thermoplastics are the most common type of plastics. The main feature that distinguishes them from thermosetting plastics is their ability to withstand multiple melting and solidification cycles. Thermoplastics can be heated and shaped into desired shapes. This process is reversible because no chemical bond is formed. As a result, they can be recycled or melted down and reused. Thermoplastics can be compared to butter: it melts and hardens many times. With each melting cycle, the properties of thermoplastics change slightly. nine0003
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thermoset plastics (also called thermosets) remain permanently solid after polymerization.
The polymers in thermosetting plastics are crosslinked during the polymerization process, which is induced by heat, light, or appropriate radiation. Thermoset plastics decompose when heated, rather than melt. In addition, they do not change their shape when cooled. It is not possible to recycle thermosetting plastics or restore the material to its original state. Thermosetting is like pie dough: once baked, the pie cannot be melted back into dough. nine0003
The three most common plastic 3D printing processes today are:
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Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers melt and extrude thermoplastic filaments, which the printer's nozzle deposits layer by layer on the work area.
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The Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printer uses a laser to photopolymerize thermoset liquid polymers into a hardened plastic. nine0003
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The Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printer is equipped with a high power laser to sinter fine particles of thermoplastic powder.
How-to video
Can't find the 3D printing technology that best suits your needs? In this video tutorial, we compare Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technologies in terms of the top factors to consider when purchasing. nine0003
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Fused fusion modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament manufacturing (FFF), is the most common form of consumer grade 3D printing, fueled by the rise of hobbyist 3D printers.
This method is well suited for making basic experimental models, as well as for quickly and inexpensively prototyping simple products, such as parts that are usually machined. nine0003
Consumer grade FDM has the lowest resolution and accuracy of any other plastic 3D printing process, making it unsuitable for printing complex designs or models with intricate features. It is possible to improve the surface quality of models printed using this technology using chemical and mechanical polishing processes.
FDM-based industrial 3D printers, which offer a wider range of engineering thermoplastics, can solve these problems, but are also much more expensive. nine0003
Each layer is formed with a thermoplastic thread. Sometimes, if the layers are not completely adjacent to each other, there may be voids between them. As a result, anisotropic models are obtained, which is important to consider when designing products that must withstand load and be resistant to tension.
FDM 3D printing materials are available in a variety of colors. There are also various experimental mixtures of thermoplastic threads designed to create models with a surface that mimics wood or metal. nine0003
The most common materials for 3D printing in FDM technology are ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PLA (polylactic acid) and various mixtures of these polymers. More advanced FDM printers can also print on other materials with different properties, such as increased temperature and chemical resistance, impact resistance, and rigidity.
| Material | Features | Methods of use | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS (acrylonitril-butadien-styrol) | Strong and durable Thermal and impact-resistant need for a heated printing platform | Easiest media to print with FDM technology Strong, tough but brittle Less resistant to temperature and chemicals The biodegradable does not have a smell of | Conceptual models Realistic prototypes | ||||
| PETG (polyethylenertalatlatglycol) | is compatible with low printing temperatures . | Waterproof application Clip-on components | |||||
| nylon | Hard, durable and light Strong and partially flexible heat -resistant and impact -resistant Complex for printing using FDM | Functional Prototypes Basement models | |||||
| TPU (thermal polyurate) | 9008 9008 9008 9008 9008 9008 9008 9008 Excellent vibration dampingFlexible Prototypes | ||||||
| PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) | Soluble support structure material The material for supporting structures | ||||||
| impact -resistant polystyrene | The material for creating soluble supporting structures, the most commonly used with ABS | Material for supporting structures | |||||
Composit materials (carbon, composite composite composite materials are dissolved in water. Kevlar, fiber optic) | Strong, tough and incredibly hard Only compatible with some expensive industrial 3D printers based on FDM technology | Functional prototypes Clamping fixtures, fixtures, tooling |
Invented in the 1980s, stereolithography is the world's first 3D printing technology and is still one of the most popular among professionals today.
Models printed with stereolithography printers have the highest resolution and accuracy, the sharpest detail and the smoothest surface of any other plastic 3D printing technology. Resin 3D printing is a great option for producing highly detailed prototypes that require tight tolerances and smooth surfaces such as molds, templates, and functional models. Models printed using SLA technology can be easily polished and/or painted after printing, resulting in highly detailed finished products. nine0003
Models printed on SLA 3D printers are generally isotropic: their strength is more or less constant and independent of orientation, since chemical bonds occur between each layer.
This results in models with predictable mechanical characteristics critical for applications such as fasteners, fixtures, finished products, and functional prototypes.
Stereolithography supports a wide range of plastic 3D printing materials. nine0003
SLA 3D printing is versatile and provides a wide range of optical, mechanical and thermal properties that match those of standard, engineering and industrial thermoplastics.
| Materials of FORMLABS | Characteristics | Methods of use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard polymers | High resolution Smote, matte surface | Conceptual models 958 Conceptual models | Conceptual Models Realistic prototypes |
| Clear Resin | The only truly transparent material for 3D printing from plastics can be polished to almost full optical transparency | models, which should be optically transparent | |
| DRAFT REDI | One of the fastest 3D printing materials Prints 4x faster than standard resins and 10x faster than FDM | Initial prototypes Rapid iterations | |
| Tough Resin and Durable Resin | Materials that are tough, strong, functional and dynamic Able to withstand compression, tension, bending and impact without breaking Various materials with properties similar to ABS | Enclosures and Enclosures Clamps and Mounting Devices Connectors Wear Prototypes | |
| Rigid Resins | Highly filled, stiff and strong material, resistant to bending Resistant to temperature and chemicals Maintains dimension under load | Clamping and holding fixtures, tooling Turbines and fan blades Fluid/air components Electrical enclosures and housings used in the automotive industry | |
| High Temp Resin | High temperature resistant High Precision | Hot Air, Gas, and Liquid Components Heat Resistant Fasteners, Enclosures, and Fixtures Molds and Inserts | |
| Flexible Resin and Elastic Resin | Flexibility of Rubber, TPU, or Silicone compression Withstand many successive cycles without wear | Consumer product prototypes Foldable structures for robotics Medical devices and anatomy models Props and models for special effects | |
| Medical and dental resins | A wide range of biocompatible resins for the manufacture of medical and dental products | Dental and medical products, including surgical templates, dentures and prosthetic limbs | |
| Lost Wax and Vulcanized Rubber Casting Materials Easy to cast, allows for intricate designs and retains shape well | Products for trying on Models for reusable press forms Jewelry to order | ||
| Ceramic Resin | Surface System, similar to the Firing Personal Product, the possibility of firing for creating a real ceramic product | Technical survival Unique articles 908 |
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Selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing is a technology trusted by engineers and manufacturers across industries to create durable and functional models. With its low model cost, high performance, and use of common materials, this technology is well suited for a wide range of applications, from rapid prototyping to low-volume production, limited trial runs, or custom-made products. nine0003
The green powder supports the model during printing and eliminates the need for special support structures. As a result, SLS is ideal for complex geometries, including internal features, undercuts, thin walls, and negative draft features.
Like stereolithography, SLS produces more isotropic models than FDM models. Models created with SLS technology have a slightly rough surface due to powder particles, but have almost no visible layer lines. nine0003
SLS 3D printing materials are ideal for a range of functional applications, from consumer product design to manufacturing and healthcare applications.
Compared to FDM and SLA technologies, SLS technology allows the use of a limited number of materials. However, the available materials have excellent mechanical properties. They have strength comparable to die-cast models. The most common selective laser sintering material is nylon, a popular engineering thermoplastic with excellent mechanical properties. Nylon is light, strong and flexible, resistant to impact, heat, chemicals, UV radiation, water and dirt. nine0003
| Material | Description | Methods of use |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon 12 Powder | Strong, hard and durable Siberian, Solp. water | Functional prototypes End use products Medical devices |
| Nylon 11 Powder | Similar properties to Nylon 12 Powder. Possesses greater elasticity, elongation at break and impact resistance, but less rigidity | Functional prototypes Products for the final use of Medical devices |
| TPU | Flexible, elastic, elastic resistant to deformation High resistance to ultraviolet Excellent damping capacity | . end use Medical devices |
| Nylon composites | Nylon materials reinforced with glass, aluminum or fiberglass for greater strength and rigidity | Functional Prototypes Structural End-Use Products |
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Different 3D printing materials and processes have their own advantages and disadvantages that make them suitable for different scenarios. The following table provides a brief overview of some of the main features and factors to consider. nine0092
Poor detail
Limited conformance to design design
High cost of industrial devices if precision and high performance materials are required
Basic experimental models
Production of special end-use products using professional industrial devices and materials
Templates, molds and tooling
Dental products
Prototypes and molds for casting jewelry
Props and models
Small-scale production, production of limited trial runs, creation of products to order
High performance composite materials on high value industrial applications There are several 3D printing processes not only from plastics, but also from metals.
Metal FDM printers are similar in design to traditional FDM printers, but use extruded metal rods held in place by a resin binder. The finished models are in an intermediate state and then sintered in an oven to remove the binder.
SLM and DMLS printers are similar to SLS printers, but instead of polymer powders, they fuse metal powder particles layer by layer using a laser. 3D printers based on SLM and DMLS technologies can create strong, precise and complex metal products, making this process ideal for the aerospace, automotive and medical industries.
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Titanium is a light metal with excellent mechanical properties. It is strong, hard and highly resistant to heat, oxidation and acids. nine0003
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stainless steel has high strength, ductility and corrosion resistance.
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aluminum is a lightweight, durable, strong metal with good thermal properties.
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Tool Steel is a hard, scratch-resistant material that can be used to print end-use tools and other high-strength products. nine0003
- nickel alloys have high tensile, creep and tensile strength, as well as heat and corrosion resistance.
Compared to plastic 3D printing technologies, metal 3D printing is much more expensive and difficult, and therefore beyond the reach of most companies.
As an alternative to casting workflows that produce metal models cheaper and faster than traditional methods and provide greater design freedom, SLA 3D printing is well suited.
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Another alternative is galvanization of SLA printed models. It involves applying a layer of metal to plastic using electrolysis. This combines some of the best qualities of metal (strength, electrical conductivity, corrosion and abrasion resistance) with the special properties of the base (usually plastic) material.
Plastic 3D printing is well suited for creating templates that can be cast to produce metal models. nine0003
With so many materials and options available for 3D printing, making the right choice can be difficult.
We provide a 3-step process for selecting the right material for 3D printing.
Plastics used for 3D printing have different chemical, optical, mechanical and thermal characteristics that affect the properties of 3D printed models. As you move from the intended use case to the actual operating environment, the performance requirements increase accordingly. nine0003
| Requirement | Description | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Low Efficiency | Example: Prototype mold for a ladle for ergonomic testing. | FDM PLA SLA: Standard Resins, Clear Resin (transparency), Draft Resin (fast) |
| Medium Efficiency | For validation or pre-production use, printed models should have properties as close as possible to those of final production models , for functional testing, but do not meet stringent requirements regarding service life. Example: housing for electronic components to protect against sudden impacts. Functional characteristics include the ability to absorb impact energy. In addition, the body must snap into place and retain its shape. nine0003 | FDM ABS SLA: Engineering Resins SLS: Nylon 11 Powder, Nylon 12 Powder, TPU |
| High Efficiency | Final 3D printed models need to be highly stable to achieve end use products to wear and tear over a certain period of time, whether it be a day, a week or several years. Example: shoe soles. Functional features include rigorous cycling and unloading life testing, color fastness over many years, and tear resistance, among other things. nine0003 | FDM Composites SLA: Engineering, Medical, Dental or Jewelry Resins SLS: Nylon 11 Powder, Nylon 12 Powder, TPU, Nylon Composites |
Other than surface quality, there are no performance requirements. nine0003 material requirements: material properties that will satisfy these requirements. These indicators are usually given in the technical specifications of the material. nine0003
| Requirement | Description | Recommendation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | Resistance of material to fracture under tension. High tensile strength is important for structural, load-bearing, mechanical or static models. | FDM PLA SLA: Clear Resin, Rigid Resin SLS: Nylon 12 Powder, Nylon Composites | |
| Flex Modulus | Material resistance to bending under load. Indicates either rigidity (high value) or flexibility (low value) of the material. | FDM PLA (high), ABS (medium) SLA: Rigid Resin (high), Tough Resin and Durable Resin (medium), Flexible Resin and Elastic Resin (low) SLS: Nylon composite materials (high value), Nylon 12 Powder (medium value) | |
| Elongation | Material resistance to tensile failure. Allows you to compare the degree of stretching of flexible materials. It also indicates whether the material is stretched or immediately destroyed. nine0092 | FDM ABS (medium), TPU (high) SLA: Tough Resin and Durable Resin (medium), Flexible Resin and Elastic Resin (high) SLS: Nylon 12 Powder (medium), Nylon 11 Powder (medium), TPU (high) | |
| Impact strength | The ability of a material to absorb impact and its energy without breaking. Shows toughness and durability. Allows you to determine how easily the material breaks when it falls to the ground or collides with another object. nine0092 | FDM ABS, Nylon SLA: Tough 2000 Resin, Tough 1500 Resin, Gray Pro Resin, Durable Resin SLS: Nylon 12 Powder, Nylon 11 Powder a certain load. Indicates whether the material is suitable for high temperature applications. | SLA: High Temp Resin, Rigid Resin SLS: Nylon 12 Powder, Nylon composites |
| Hardness (durometer) | Material resistance to surface deformation. Allows you to determine the right degree of plasticity for soft plastics such as rubber and elastomers for a particular application. | FDM TPU SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin SLS: TPU | |
| Tear resistance | Material resistance to notching under tension. This indicator is important for evaluating the durability and wear resistance of soft plastics and flexible materials such as rubber. nine0092 | FDM TPU SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin, Durable Resin SLS: Nylon 11 Powder, TPU | |
| Creep | Creep is the tendency of a material to permanently deform under the influence of constant stress: tension or bending, compression, shear . Low creep indicates durability of hard plastics and is very important for structural models. | FDM ABS SLA: Rigid Resin SLS: Nylon 12 Powder, Nylon 9 composites0092 | |
| Compression set | Irreversible deformation after material compression. An important indicator for soft plastics and applications where flexibility is needed. Indicates whether the material will restore its original shape after the load is removed. | FDM TPU SLA: Flexible Resin, Elastic Resin SLS: TPU |
For more information on material properties, see our guide to the most common mechanical and thermal properties. nine0003
By converting performance characteristics into material requirements, you can most likely find out which material, or small group of materials, is right for your application.
If several materials meet your basic requirements, a broader range of desired characteristics, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these materials and processes, can be considered for the final selection.
Use our interactive material wizard. It will help you select the right materials from our growing range of polymers for your application and the properties that matter most to you. Do you have specific questions about 3D printing materials? Contact our experts. nine0003
Get material recommendations
3D Printing Materials | A wide variety of materials
Materials for 3D printing! To date, the main materials for printing on a 3D printer are PLA and ABS plastic. Both materials have long established themselves on the market and are used for printing on a 3D printer using layer-by-layer material build-up technology.
ABS (ABS) plastic is a plastic formed during the polymerization of substances such as acrylonitrile (A) with butadiene (B) and styrene (S). nine0003
PLA plastic, or as it is also called biodegradable plastic, is an aliphatic polyester with a monomer in the form of lactic acid. The materials for the production of such plastic are rapidly renewable resources - corn or sugar cane, that is, starch or cellulose.
PVA plastic. The well-known PVA glue is transferred from a dry state to a liquid of the desired consistency, then melted using special equipment and formed into PVA threads or special granules that are used for 3D printing. nine0003
An even newer material, Nylon, is resistant to a wide range of chemicals and solvents. The materials discussed above are known to everyone who is associated with the 3D technology market.
These are the most commonly used materials. But manufacturers have stepped far ahead, and are already using a wide variety of materials for printing on a 3D printer, for example, clay, resin, seaweed, and more. etc.
Here is a list of the most unexpected and creative materials for 3D printing:
White Resin from Formlabs:
3D Printing Materials
3D printing equipment manufacturer Formlabs introduces a new material - White Resin. The company has recently launched two new 3D printing materials, Clear Resin and Gray Resin.
The main feature of the White Resin material is the striking white and opaque color of the material, as well as the exceptional smoothness of the surface of the printed object. In addition, this material is ideal for subsequent staining. nine0003
Titanium Powder for 3D Printing Auto Parts:
British metalworking company Metalysis has released a new cheap titanium powder that is suitable for 3D printing of auto parts and parts. Until now, the most popular materials for 3D printing have been plastics, due to the high cost of producing titanium powders. But recently, Metalysis has found a new, low-cost way to produce titanium powder, which could become the most sought after in the manufacture of equipment and machinery in the aerospace, defense and automotive industries. nine0003
For the production of titanium powder, Metalysis uses rutile, which is electrolyzed directly into titanium powder. This method of obtaining a powder makes it possible to change, if necessary, the size of the powder granules, its purity, morphology and the proportion of the content of alloying elements in the composition.
Metal plastic for ColorFabb 3D printer:
Materials for 3D printing
BronzeFill and CopperFill are two new filaments from the premium Dutch manufacturer colorFabb. Their key feature is the addition of bronze and copper powder to the plastic, which gives the filament additional rigidity, as well as a pleasant metallic sheen and smoothness. To the touch, the model obtained as a result of printing will very much resemble a metal one. nine0003
Bronzefill and CopperFill can be polished to a beautiful metallic sheen just like any other hard bronze and copper items. After polishing, the visible streaks that remain after printing disappear, and the bronze or copper item begins to shine.
Bronze and copper plastic for 3d printing is ideal for metal prototyping and very durable models in industry, architecture, design and other fields.
One of the most amazing materials is graphene:
3D Printing Materials
A 3D printable material with incredible potential for applications in various fields (molecular programming, solar energy, etc.
), it can change the lives of many people. In this regard, the Canadian research company Lomiko Metals Inc. announced the opening of a new special laboratory Graphene 3D Labs Inc., which will focus on the development of high-performance materials based on graphene. Information about the material: graphite or graphene is entirely composed of carbon atoms, but 1 mm of graphite contains about 3 million layers of graphene. Graphite has a three-dimensional crystal structure, while graphene is a two-dimensional crystal 1 atom thick. nine0003
3D Printer Wood Filament:
3D Printing Materials
Dutch 3D printing material company colorFabb has launched WoodFill wood filament. Wooden threads WoodFill are available in two types - Fine (Delicate) and Coarse (Rough). The main difference between these threads is the quality of processing of wood fibers. WoodFill Fine uses finely ground wood particles, WoodFill Coarse threads are thicker - based on coarsely ground wood particles.
Wooden threads allow you to print beautiful and original vases, decorative elements and interior items. Finished objects are highly durable and produced in a short time. WoodFill filaments are made up of 30% pine wood fibers and 70% PLA plastic. nine0003
Seaweed 3D Printer Filament:
3D Printing Materials
Le Fabshop is the first company in the world to introduce SWF filaments - "green" filaments based on seaweed.
New materials from Proto-Pasta:
Recently, scientist Aaron Crum and mechanical engineer Dustin Crum launched the Proto-Pasta project, which developed three new materials for use in a desktop 3D printer: Carbon Fiber Reinforced PLA ( PLA reinforced with carbon fiber), High Temperature PLA (high temperature PLA) and Polycarbonate-ABS (ABS with polycarbonate alloy). Compared to all known types of plastic - ABS and PLA, the presented materials have improved performance characteristics and are affordable. Carbon Fiber Reinforced PLA is more resistant to high temperatures than regular PLA.
Polycarbonate-ABS (PC-ABS) is characterized by high elasticity and bending strength. nine0003
Rubber material for stereolithography:
Materials for 3D printing
This is a rubber based material ideal for stereolithography printing, the new material has a wide color gamut, allows you to print objects in high resolution, odorless, easy to peel, available from price.
Silk 3D Printing Material:
3D Printing Materials
Another 3D printing material was created from raw silk. The raw silk has been sourced from sustainable sources and treated with epoxy. The silk-based material is flexible and highly durable, thin and light, ideal for 3D printing applications. nine0003
Polished and Raw Brass for 3D Printing Materials:
3D Printing Materials
Shapeways has introduced two new materials to the world at once - Polished Brass and Raw Brass. Polished Brass is a material with a smooth, glossy bright yellow surface.
Products printed with its help, then covered with 22 carat gold, are almost indistinguishable from real gold jewelry. Raw Brass is ideal for 3D printing antique or antique-style objects, and is also useful for jewelry prototyping and functional parts. nine0003
Shapeways Soft Plastic:
3D Printing Materials
Shapeways has developed a new soft plastic called Elasto Plastics for use in the production of summer footwear. Elasto Plastics has a milky white color, the material is very flexible, has an uneven grainy surface and is quite strong.
In our online store ac5ffgxkeg.lceqo.ccwc.finefive.ru there is an excellent analogue of Elasto Plastics - this is a unique flexible plastic from a Ukrainian manufacturer - PLASTAN 9 plastic0003
The second analogue - FlexibelPolyEster (FPE) - is a rubber-like elastic plastic thread designed specifically for printing on a 3D printer
Transparent resin for a 3D printer:
Materials for 3D printing stereolithography, according to the technology of layering transparent resin and strengthening the layers with a special laser.
