© 2022 Objective3D, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by 
Big Discounts: Ex Demo 3D Printer Technologies.
With the continuous innovation and growth of the 3D printing industry, an ever-expanding range of materials is becoming available to suit various applications and requirements. Although this abundance of options can create great potential for innovation, it can also be a daunting task for individuals and businesses to determine the best material for their 3D printing project.
As the leading provider of 3D Printer and 3D Scanner Solutions in Australia and New Zealand, Objective3D aims to demystify the topic of 3D printing materials and empower you to make informed decisions that suit your specific needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the top 10 essential 3D printing materials, providing insights into their properties, ideal applications, advantages, and limitations. This invaluable resource will help you to gauge the suitability of each material for your project and maximise the success of your 3D printing endeavours.
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is one of the most widely used 3D printing materials, favoured for its ease of printing, biodegradability, and low odour. Derived from renewable resources such as cornstarch and sugarcane, PLA is a versatile and environmentally friendly material suitable for a broad range of applications.
Properties: PLA offers excellent printability, high detail resolution, and a smooth surface finish. It has low warping tendencies and adheres well to most build platforms without the need for a heated bed.
Applications: PLA is ideal for rapid prototyping, art and decorative models, and low-wear parts. However, it has limited heat resistance and should not be used for parts that will be exposed to high temperatures.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a popular thermoplastic known for its strength, durability, and heat resistance. ABS can be found in a wide range of consumer products, including automotive parts and household appliances.
Properties: ABS exhibits strong mechanical properties and offers high-impact and heat resistance. However, it has a higher tendency to warp, often requiring a heated build platform to ensure a successful print.
Applications: ABS is well-suited for functional parts, end-use components, and enclosures that require strength and durability. It can also be sanded and polished easily, making it an excellent choice for parts with a desired aesthetic finish.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) is a popular material that combines the ease of use of PLA with the strength and durability of ABS. PETG is widely used in the food packaging industry and offers excellent chemical resistance and low moisture absorption.
Properties: PETG is a strong, flexible, and impact-resistant material that prints with relatively low warping and easy bed adhesion. It offers a degree of translucency and can be printed at a range of temperatures.
Applications: PETG is suitable for functional prototypes and end-use parts that require mechanical strength, durability, and chemical resistance. Its food-safe certification makes it ideal for creating kitchen gadgets, containers, and other culinary tools.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) and Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) are flexible and elastic materials commonly used for creating rubber-like parts and products. These materials are known for their exceptional elasticity, high abrasion resistance, and impressive tear strength.
Properties: TPU and TPE are characterised by their flexibility, elasticity, and ability to withstand repeated flexing or stretching. They can be challenging to print due to their softness, often requiring slower print speeds and fine-tuning of print settings.
Applications: TPU and TPE are perfect for creating flexible parts such as gaskets, seals, straps, and protective cases. They can also be used for innovative applications like prosthetics and wearables where comfort and flexibility are essential.
Nylon, or Polyamide, is a high-performance 3D printing material known for its remarkable strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance. It has excellent layer adhesion, making it ideal for creating durable and functional parts.
Properties: Nylon offers high mechanical strength, flexibility, and excellent chemical resistance. It has a higher printing temperature than materials like PLA and ABS, often requiring a heated bed and an enclosed printing environment.
Applications: Nylon is best suited for creating mechanical components, gears, hinges, and other parts that demand superior strength and durability. Nylon’s flexibility and low friction coefficient also make it ideal for wearable items and prosthetics.
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) is a UV-resistant thermoplastic similar to ABS in terms of strength and durability. It has excellent weather resistance and is commonly used in outdoor applications.
Properties: ASA offers strong mechanical properties, high heat resistance, and excellent UV stability, making it suitable for outdoor use. Like ABS, it may require a heated build platform and enclosed printing environment to minimise warping.
Applications: ASA is ideal for creating outdoor fixtures, signage, and automotive components that require resistance to weathering, UV degradation, and damage from extreme temperatures.
Polycarbonate (PC) is a high-performance material known for its exceptional strength, stability, and resistance to impacts and high temperatures. PC is commonly used in industrial applications and safety equipment.
Properties: PC offers incredible strength, heat resistance, and impressive dimensional stability. It requires high printing temperatures, a heated bed, and an enclosed print environment to achieve optimal results.
Applications: Due to its strength and heat resistance, PC is an excellent choice for applications such as automotive parts, electronics enclosures, and protective gear.
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a versatile thermoplastic that exhibits good strength, impact resistance, and easy printability. HIPS is commonly used as a support material for 3D printing complex structures, as it dissolves easily in a limonene solution.
Properties: HIPS offers strength, flexibility, and good layer adhesion, making it easy to print. It has similar properties and print settings to ABS and can be used as a support material with dual-extrusion printers.
Applications: HIPS is suitable for creating lightweight parts and can be used for prototyping or end-use parts requiring good strength and impact resistance.
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble material typically used as a support structure for intricate and complex 3D prints. PVA allows for easy removal of support structures, ensuring clean and professional results.
Properties: PVA is non-toxic, biodegradable, and dissolves easily in water. This material can be challenging to work with due to moisture sensitivity, requiring dry storage and careful monitoring of humidity levels during printing.
Applications: PVA is perfect for creating support structures for complex models, particularly when printed with PLA, as they have similar print temperature requirements.
Resins are designed for use with Stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printers, offering high resolution and precision prints. Resins are available in a wide variety of formulations, including general-purpose, flexible, and high-temperature.
Properties: Resin prints offer exceptional detail, accuracy, and smooth surface finishes. Post-processing often includes washing, curing, and support removal to achieve optimal results.
Applications: Resins are ideal for applications that require high precision and detail, such as jewellery design, dental applications, and intricate models or prototypes.
Understanding the properties, advantages, and limitations of the various 3D printing materials available will empower you to select the best choice for your specific project requirements.
With the guidance and support of Objective3D’s expertise, you can confidently embrace the world of 3D printing materials and bring your innovative ideas to life. Contact us today for 3D printing services in Melbourne!
AU Phone: +613 9785 2333
NZ Phone: +649 801 0380
