A Guide to 3D Printed Material Comparison: Strength, Durability, and Applications
Updated: Nov 8, 2024
Introduction
Choosing the right material for 3D printing is essential to achieving optimal performance for specific applications. Each material has unique mechanical properties—like strength, flexibility, and thermal resistance—that make it suited for different tasks. This article provides a comprehensive comparison of commonly used 3D printing materials by examining their flexural strength, impact resistance, tensile strength, and heat deflection properties. A clear understanding of these properties helps manufacturers, hobbyists, and industrial designers alike to select the most effective material for their needs.
Key Properties in 3D Printing Materials
- Flexural Strength: Measures a material's ability to resist deformation under load. Essential for applications requiring rigidity.
- Impact Resistance: Indicates how well a material withstands sudden forces or shocks. Crucial for parts subject to physical stress.
- Tensile Strength and Elongation: These properties reveal how a material reacts to being stretched or pulled, valuable in parts that need flexibility without snapping.
- Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): Specifies the temperature at which a material deforms under a specified load. Important for applications exposed to high temperatures, such as automotive and aerospace components.
Comparison of Individual Materials with Graphical Data
Below, we compare various materials with respect to key metrics, including flexural strength, impact resistance, tensile strength, and HDT. Graphical representations accompany each data group for better understanding.
Graph 1: Flexural Strength vs Impact Strength
Flexural Strength vs. Impact Strength - Highlights materials with high resistance to bending and physical impact, such as ABS, PETG, and PA.
Graph 2: Impact Strength vs Heat Deflection
Impact Strength vs. Heat Deflection - Indicates which materials can withstand both mechanical stress and high temperatures, with PC Max and PA12 leading.
Graph 3: Tensile Strength and Elongation
Tensile Strength and Elongation - Essential for parts needing flexibility, with TPU and CoPA offering the best tensile strength.
Detailed Analysis of Materials
Note: data is to be used as a general comparison: actual material properties of 3D printed parts are heavily dependent on geometry and print parameters.
Material | Flexural Strength (MPa) | Impact Strength (kJ/m²) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | HDT (°C) | Applications |
ASA | 62 | 15 | 45 | 90 | Outdoor parts |
PLA | 83 | 5 | 57 | 60 | Prototyping |
HTPLA | 96 | 10 | 60 | 90 | Structural parts |
TPU 90A | 7 | 50 | 25 | 60 | Flexible parts |
TPU 95A | 10 | 60 | 30 | 65 | Flexible enclosures |
PET | 75 | 10 | 50 | 80 | Food-safe applications |
PETG | 70 | 7 | 50 | 75 | General-purpose parts |
ABS | 50 | 12 | 40 | 105 | Automotive components |
PA | 65 | 20 | 70 | 90 | Functional prototyping |
HIPS | 60 | 15 | 40 | 90 | Support structures |
PVB | 40 | 7 | 30 | 60 | Aesthetic prints |
CoPA | 70 | 18 | 80 | 110 | High-impact parts |
PA6 | 68 | 20 | 75 | 105 | Durable functional parts |
PA12 | 70 | 22 | 78 | 120 | Long-lasting components |
PETG Lite | 65 | 5 | 45 | 75 | Lightweight enclosures |
Max PETG | 80 | 8 | 55 | 85 | Industrial parts |
MAX PETG-ESD | 80 | 8 | 55 | 85 | ESD-sensitive applications |
PVA | 20 | 2 | 25 | 60 | Support material |
PC Lite | 85 | 12 | 70 | 125 | High-strength parts |
PC Max | 90 | 13 | 75 | 130 | Extreme environments |
Max PC-FR | 85 | 13 | 75 | 130 | Flame-resistant components |
PC-ABS | 55 | 10 | 60 | 115 | High-impact enclosures |
PC-PBT | 60 | 9 | 62 | 120 | Chemical-resistant parts |
PPS | 90 | 15 | 85 | 140 | High-heat applications |
PAHT | 75 | 16 | 70 | 130 | Structural components |
PPA | 70 | 18 | 80 | 110 | Chemical-resistant parts |
PP | 40 | 6 | 35 | 90 | Lightweight, flexible parts |
Material-Specific Composite Characteristics
Composite materials have added properties that make them useful in niche applications. For example, Max PETG-ESD is formulated to prevent static buildup, which is essential for applications involving electronic parts. PC-FR includes flame-retardant characteristics, ideal for components in potentially flammable environments.
Applications by Material Type
Automotive: Materials like ABS, PC-ABS, and PA are often used in automotive parts due to their strength and thermal stability. CoPA and PA6/PA12 can handle high-impact requirements.
Medical and Food-Safe: PET and its derivatives like PETG and PETG Lite are widely used in medical and food-safe applications due to their durability and food safety.
Note: caution should taken when utilizing 3D printed parts in a food-grade environment. Layer lines and cavities can be difficult to clean and can result in bacterial and/or mold growth.
Prototyping and Visual Models: PLA, Cast, and PVB are suitable for rapid prototyping due to their ease of use and aesthetic quality.
Flexible Enclosures: TPU 90A and 95A are ideal for flexible enclosures that require impact resistance and elasticity.
Conclusion
Selecting the right 3D printing material is crucial for maximizing the efficiency, safety, and functionality of 3D-printed parts. While some materials, such as PLA, are suitable for prototyping, others like ABS and CoPA are necessary for high-impact, structural applications. Composite materials expand these options further, enabling the creation of components tailored to specific needs. With this data, Michigan Prototyping Solutions aims to empower users to make informed choices for their next 3D printing project.
-For more exhaustive comparisons, please visit our complete material catalog below.
-Have questions about what material is best for your project? Or want to know about a material that wasn't featured in this article? Feel free to contact us below!
-Want Safety Data Sheets for our materials? Request them below.