Choosing the right 3D printing material is important. The material you pick changes how strong, flexible, and durable your part will be. It also affects how your part looks and how much it costs.
Let’s look at the most common materials we offer and what they’re best for.
1. Nylon – Strong and Flexible
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Strength & Flexibility: Nylon is known for being both strong and flexible. It’s great for making parts that need to handle stress without breaking, like gears or hinges.
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Surface Finish: Nylon prints have a smooth finish, making them look good and work well.
2. Glass-Filled Nylon – Tough and Heat-Resistant
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Enhanced Strength: Adding glass fibers to nylon makes it stiffer and more stable, which is perfect for parts that need to hold heavy loads.
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Heat Resistance: This material can handle higher temperatures than regular nylon, so it’s good for parts near heat sources.
3. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) – Soft and Bendy
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Flexibility: TPU is very flexible and can stretch without breaking, making it ideal for items like phone cases or flexible joints.
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Durability: Even after being bent or stretched many times, TPU keeps its shape and strength.
4. MJF Polypropylene – Light and Chemical-Resistant
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Chemical Resistance: Polypropylene resists many chemicals, so it’s great for containers or parts that come into contact with various substances.
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Lightweight: It’s a light material, which is helpful when you need to reduce the weight of your parts.
5. Resin – Smooth and Detailed
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Surface Finish: Resin printing produces parts with very fine details and smooth surfaces, perfect for detailed models or prototypes.
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Limitations: While resin looks great, standard types may not be strong enough for parts that need to bear loads.
6. Aluminum – Lightweight Metal
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Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Aluminum alloys are strong yet lightweight, making them ideal for aerospace and automotive parts.
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Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum naturally resists corrosion, so it’s good for parts exposed to the elements.
7. Stainless Steel – Very Strong and Durable
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Mechanical Properties: Stainless steel is very strong and durable, making it perfect for tools, gears, and structural parts.
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Heat Resistance: It keeps its strength even at high temperatures, so it’s suitable for parts that get hot.
8. INFINAM TPC 8008 P – Strong and Stretchy
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Elasticity: This material stretches and returns to its original shape, making it great for flexible parts that need to be durable.
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Applications: Commonly used in automotive and sports equipment due to its durability and flexibility.
9. High-Reusability TPA – Soft and Eco-Friendly
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Flexibility: TPA feels soft and rubber-like, suitable for items like wearable devices and cushions.
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Reusable: Designed for multiple uses, TPA maintains performance over repeated cycles, contributing to sustainability.
Quick Comparison Table
| Material | What It’s Good For |
|---|---|
| Nylon | Strong, everyday parts |
| Glass-Filled Nylon | High heat or weight |
| TPU | Flexible, soft parts |
| Polypropylene | Lightweight, chemical-safe parts |
| Resin | Smooth models and details |
| Aluminum | Metal parts that need to be light |
| Stainless Steel | Super strong, tough parts |
| INFINAM TPC 8008 P | Flexible parts with long life |
| High-Reusability TPA | Eco-friendly soft parts |
Final Thoughts
Every material has different strengths. Think about what your part needs to do be strong, flexible, smooth, or just look good and pick the right material for the job. Still not sure? We can help!
Need Help Choosing a Material?
Our team knows these materials inside and out.
Get a quote today or contact us for help choosing the best fit for your project.
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