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Materials

50 materials – choose by requirement, not by name

First choose the process or the task your part has to fulfil. Each card shows strengths, limits, applications and a design tip.

1 · Process
2 · Requirement
FDM

PLA

Stiff, dimensionally accurate and cost-effective – the standard for models and prototypes.

Strengths: Very dimensionally accurate, wide colour range, low cost
Limits: Softens from approx. 55 °C, rather brittle
Applications: Form and fit samples, gauges, design models

FDM

PLA Matte

PLA with a matte surface that makes layer lines less visible.

Strengths: High-quality matte look
Limits: Like PLA, not heat-resistant
Applications: Visual models, presentation parts

FDM

PLA-CF

Carbon-fibre-reinforced PLA: stiffer and with a fine matte surface.

Strengths: Very stiff, matte black look, low warping
Limits: More brittle than pure PLA, not heat-resistant
Applications: Fixtures, gauges, stiff holders

FDM

PETG

The robust all-rounder: tougher than PLA and resistant to many media.

Strengths: Tough, chemically resistant, good layer adhesion
Limits: Slightly less dimensionally accurate than PLA
Applications: Housings, brackets, functional parts

FDM

PETG-CF

Carbon-fibre-reinforced PETG for stiff, dimensionally stable functional parts.

Strengths: Stiff and tough at the same time, matte surface
Limits: Abrasive – printed with a hardened nozzle
Applications: Fixtures, machine parts, holders

FDM

ABS

Classic engineering plastic with good impact strength and more temperature reserve.

Strengths: Impact-resistant, more heat-resistant than PLA/PETG, can be chemically smoothed
Limits: Prone to warping, not UV-resistant
Applications: Housings, technical parts, automotive interiors

FDM

ASA

Like ABS, but UV- and weather-resistant – ideal for outdoor use.

Strengths: UV-stable, weatherproof, temperature-resistant
Limits: Prone to warping like ABS
Applications: Outdoor parts, vehicle add-on parts, outdoor housings

FDM

PC

Polycarbonate: very strong, impact-resistant and temperature-resistant.

Strengths: High strength and heat deflection temperature
Limits: Demanding to print, must be dry
Applications: Highly loaded holders, parts near heat sources

FDM

PA12-CF

Carbon-fibre-reinforced PA12 for technically demanding components and production aids.

Strengths: Very strong, stiff, abrasion-resistant, temperature-resistant
Limits: Absorbs moisture, processed dry
Applications: Gears, machine parts, tool holders

FDM

PLA+ / Tough PLA

Modified PLA with much higher toughness – doesn’t break as easily as standard PLA.

Strengths: Tougher than PLA, yet easy to print and dimensionally accurate
Limits: Not heat-resistant
Applications: Functional prototypes, holders, gauges

FDM

PLA Silk

PLA with a silky, glossy surface for decorative parts.

Strengths: Glossy, premium look in many colours
Limits: Lower strength, not for loads
Applications: Design models, trade fair parts, gifts

FDM

PLA Wood

PLA with wood fibres – looks and feels like wood.

Strengths: Wood look, can be sanded and stained
Limits: Brittle, not for loads
Applications: Design objects, models, prototypes with a wood look

FDM

PLA ESD

Electrostatically dissipative PLA for production aids in electronics manufacturing.

Strengths: Dissipates static charge, easy to process
Limits: Not heat-resistant
Applications: Trays, holders, fixtures in ESD areas

FDM

ABS ESD

Robust, static-dissipative ABS with more temperature reserve.

Strengths: ESD-capable, impact-resistant, more heat-resistant than PLA ESD
Limits: Prone to warping
Applications: ESD fixtures, housings, trays

FDM

PVB (smoothable)

Can be smoothed with alcohol vapour after printing – almost without visible layers.

Strengths: Smooth, glossy surface after smoothing, transparent possible
Limits: Lower strength and temperature resistance
Applications: Visual models, housings, transparent parts

FDM

HIPS

Impact-resistant polystyrene, light and easy to finish – also used as support material.

Strengths: Light, impact-resistant, easy to sand and paint
Limits: Low strength
Applications: Models, housings, soluble supports for ABS

FDM

PC-ABS

Blend of polycarbonate and ABS: tough, temperature-resistant and easier to print than pure PC.

Strengths: Impact-resistant, heat-resistant, good surface
Limits: Slightly prone to warping
Applications: Housings, automotive parts, technical components

FDM

PA6 (Nylon)

Unreinforced polyamide: extremely tough, abrasion-resistant and low-friction.

Strengths: Very tough, wear-resistant, good sliding properties
Limits: Absorbs moisture, less stiff
Applications: Gears, hinges, sliding parts, clips

FDM

PA-GF

Glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide: stiff, strong and temperature-resistant.

Strengths: High stiffness and heat deflection temperature, cheaper than CF
Limits: Abrasive, sensitive to moisture
Applications: Machine parts, holders near heat, fixtures

FDM

ASA-CF

Carbon-fibre-reinforced ASA: stiff, dimensionally stable and UV-resistant.

Strengths: UV-resistant, stiff, low warping, matte look
Limits: More brittle than pure ASA
Applications: Outdoor parts that must stay stiff

FDM

PET-CF

Carbon-fibre-reinforced PET with high stiffness and low moisture absorption.

Strengths: Very stiff, dimensionally accurate, temperature-resistant
Limits: Abrasive
Applications: Fixtures, gauges, technical holders

FDM

TPU 85A / TPE

Softer than TPU 95A – very flexible and rubber-like.

Strengths: Very elastic, damping, non-slip
Limits: Slow printing, few fine details
Applications: Seals, buffers, grips, feet

FDM

PP (polypropylene)

Light, tough and highly chemical-resistant – known from packaging and living hinges.

Strengths: Very chemical-resistant, light, fatigue-resistant
Limits: Hard to print, poor adhesion
Applications: Containers, living hinges, parts in contact with chemicals

FDM

TPU 95A

Rubber-like elastic material for flexible parts.

Strengths: Elastic, abrasion-resistant, damping
Limits: Not for fine details, slow printing
Applications: Buffers, seals, protective caps, grips

SLA

Standard Resin (Grey/White/Black/Clear)

Universal resin for precise prototypes and visual parts in several colours.

Strengths: Very smooth surface, fine details, Clear is transparent
Limits: Rather brittle, not for loads
Applications: Design samples, visual parts, presentation models

SLA

Fast Model Resin

Particularly fast resin for models needed at short notice.

Strengths: Very short print times
Limits: Less strong than engineering resins
Applications: Fast iterations, form studies

SLA

Precision Model Resin

High-accuracy resin for particularly precise models.

Strengths: Very high dimensional accuracy and detail
Limits: Not for mechanical loads
Applications: Precision models, fit checks, dental

SLA

Tough 1500 Resin

Tough, slightly springy resin – similar to polypropylene.

Strengths: Flexible and break-resistant, springs back
Limits: Less stiff
Applications: Snap fits, clips, spring elements

SLA

Tough 2000 Resin

Strong and stiff engineering resin – similar to ABS.

Strengths: Strong, stiff, good load capacity
Limits: Less flexible than Tough 1500
Applications: Functional prototypes, loaded components

SLA

Durable Resin

Impact-resistant, flexible and low-friction – similar to polyethylene.

Strengths: Very impact-resistant, low friction
Limits: Softer, not very stiff
Applications: Sliding parts, housings, deformable parts

SLA

Rigid 4000 Resin

Glass-filled resin with high stiffness and a matte surface.

Strengths: Very stiff, dimensionally stable, precise
Limits: More brittle, not impact-resistant
Applications: Brackets, fixtures, thin-walled stiff parts

SLA

Rigid 10K Resin

Extremely stiff, highly glass-filled resin for high thermal and chemical demands.

Strengths: Highest stiffness, heat- and chemical-resistant
Limits: Brittle
Applications: Tool inserts, flow parts, hot environments

SLA

High Temp Resin

Resin for applications with high thermal load.

Strengths: Very high heat deflection temperature
Limits: Brittle
Applications: Hot-air and heat tests, moulds

SLA

Flexible 80A Resin

Elastic resin with rubber-like behaviour (Shore 80A).

Strengths: Flexible, damping, fine details
Limits: Limited tear strength
Applications: Seals, grips, dampers

SLA

Elastic 50A Resin

Soft, stretchable resin (Shore 50A).

Strengths: Very soft and stretchable
Limits: Sensitive to tearing
Applications: Soft prototypes, covers, medical models

SLA

Silicone 40A Resin

3D-printable silicone for highly elastic parts.

Strengths: Real silicone properties, very elastic
Limits: Special post-processing
Applications: Seals, soft functional prototypes

SLA

Castable Wax Resin

Wax-filled resin for casting patterns that burns out cleanly.

Strengths: Low-residue burnout, fine details
Limits: Intended only as a casting pattern
Applications: Investment casting, jewellery, small metal parts

SLA

ESD Resin

Electrostatically dissipative resin for electronics manufacturing.

Strengths: Dissipates static charge
Limits: Special, only for ESD applications
Applications: Trays, fixtures for electronics

SLA

Flame Retardant Resin

Flame-retardant, self-extinguishing resin.

Strengths: Self-extinguishing, temperature-resistant
Limits: Special, more expensive
Applications: Housings and parts with fire protection requirements

SLS

PA12 (Nylon 12)

The all-rounder in laser sintering: strong, dimensionally accurate and versatile for functional parts and small series.

Strengths: High strength, nearly identical properties in all directions, no supports needed, biocompatible (according to the manufacturer)
Limits: Slightly rough surface, low elongation at break
Applications: Functional parts, housings, assemblies, small series

SLS

PA11 (Nylon 11)

Bio-based PA11 with very high elongation at break – bends instead of breaking.

Strengths: Very tough and impact-resistant, bio-based, biocompatible (according to the manufacturer)
Limits: Less stiff than PA12, low heat deflection under high load
Applications: Clips, hinges, orthoses, impact-resistant housings

SLS

TPU (Shore 40A–90A)

Elastic SLS powder in hardnesses from Shore 40A to 90A – for flexible, tear-resistant and skin-friendly parts.

Strengths: Hardness selectable from soft to firm, high elongation at break, very tear-resistant, skin-compatible (according to the manufacturer)
Limits: Less fine than PA12, soft
Applications: Dampers, lattice structures, insoles, seals, grips

MJF

PA12 (MJF)

The MJF standard: dense, dimensionally accurate PA12 functional parts with a fine surface.

Strengths: Very uniform properties, fine details, suitable for series production
Limits: Standard colour grey – usually dyed black
Applications: Series parts, housings, functional components

MJF

PA12 GB (MJF)

PA12 filled with 40 % glass beads: stiff, dimensionally accurate and temperature-resistant.

Strengths: High stiffness and dimensional accuracy, high heat deflection temperature, low warping
Limits: Lower tensile strength and toughness than PA12
Applications: Housings, fixtures, holders, parts requiring high dimensional accuracy

MJF

PA11 (MJF)

Bio-based PA11 with high elongation at break for dynamically loaded parts.

Strengths: Very tough and impact-resistant, bio-based
Limits: Slightly less stiff than PA12
Applications: Clips, hinges, prosthetic and orthotic parts

MJF

PP (MJF)

MJF-printed polypropylene: light, dense and chemical-resistant.

Strengths: Chemical-resistant, low moisture absorption, weldable
Limits: Less stiff
Applications: Containers, pipes, parts in contact with chemicals

MJF

TPU (MJF)

Elastic TPU for flexible, complex parts in series quality.

Strengths: Elastic, abrasion-resistant, complex lattices possible
Limits: Less fine than PA12
Applications: Dampers, cushions, seals, soles

SLM (metal)

Stainless steel 316L

Corrosion-resistant stainless steel for robust components.

Strengths: Corrosion-resistant, tough, easy to machine
Limits: Heavier than aluminium
Applications: Machine parts, food and chemical environments

SLM (metal)

Aluminium AlSi10Mg

Lightweight aluminium alloy for strong metal parts with good thermal conductivity.

Strengths: Very light, good strength and hardness, good thermal and electrical conductivity, gas-tight parts possible
Limits: Lower elongation at break as built, rough surface, properties depend on heat treatment
Applications: Lightweight parts, heat sinks, housings, brackets, motorsport

SLM (metal)

Titanium TC4 (Ti6Al4V)

Very strong at low weight.

Strengths: Highest strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion-resistant
Limits: Expensive
Applications: Motorsport, lightweight design, special parts

Ratings are comparative values within the materials (1 segment = low, 5 segments = very high). We state availability and delivery time in the quote. The data sheets contain typical guide values; we will gladly send you the original manufacturer data sheet on request.

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