3D Printing Materials Database is the catalog of filaments and light-curing resins used in additive manufacturing. You will find detailed informations on several materials, their properties and selected technical parameters. 3D Printing Center is using the following materials in production of ordered parts, as well as sells them to end customers for their own use.
The materials have been divided according to manufacturing technologies – the powders used in SLS technology, followed by filaments used in FDM / FFF 3D printing method, ending with light-curing resins used in the SLA and UV LCD methods. The database contain general characteristics of the material, its manufacturer and have a technical sheet for download. In selected cases, it is possible to go to the online store and purchase the material.
SLS is an industrial technology based on the selective sintering of powdered polyamides (or other thermoplastics) with a laser beam. It is a method optimized for low-volume or unit production for details with complex geometry, extremely difficult to obtain even with other additive methods. SLS is a very efficient production process allowing the production of a large number of parts with excellent mechanical, chemical and temperature properties.
The default color of polyamides used in 3D printing in SLS technology is white, however, it is possible to dye the parts in any color during post-processing stage. Too large parts that do not fit into the chamber of the 3D printer can be successfully divided and then glued. The gluing will be so strong that the parts will break faster in places other than where they are glued.
| Manufacturer | Name | Industrial grade | Data sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA 2200 / PA12 | 5++ | 📄↷ [EN] | |
| PA 3200 GF | 5++ | 📄↷ [EN] | |
| PA 2210 FR | 5++ | 📄↷ [EN] | |
| PA12-MED(AI) Alumide | 5++ | 📄↷ [EN] |
One of the most popular materials for 3D printing in FDM / FFF technology. PLA is biodegradable and is produced from natural ingredients such as corn starch and sugar cane, which is why it has earned the name of green plastic. The material does not emit harmful vapors during the 3D printing process as other thermoplastics.
| Manufacturer | Name | Industrial grade | Data sheet | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy PLA | 1/5 | 📄↷ [PL] 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| Impact PLA | 3/5 | 📄↷ [PL] 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| Tough PLA | 3/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | – |
ABS is one of the most popular materials used for 3D printing in FDM / FF technology due to its durability at a relatively low cost. Material serves, among others, for the production of all kinds of housings, buttons, handles and others. ABS is characterized by high hardness, impact and abrasion resistance and good tolerance of high temperatures. However, it is not UV resistant, crumbling after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
| Manufacturer | Name | Industrial grade | Data sheet | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS Plus | 3/5 | 📄↷ [PL] 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| ESD ABS | 5/5 | 📄↷ [PL] 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| Z-ULTRAT | 5/5 | 📄↷ [PL] 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 |
ASA is a material distinguished by increased resistance to UV radiation and changing weather conditions. The filament will work well in the production of parts intended for external exposure, which should be resistant to environmental influences. Elements made of ASA can be used, for example, in the automotive, energy and gas industries, agriculture and transport. They can also be used as the parts of external covers, casings, gardening equipment or car side mirrors housing.
ASA in terms of mechanical properties is similar to ABS, but it can additionally be exposed to weather conditions, without fear of color loss or damage to the 3D model.
PET-G combines the most desirable features of ABS and PLA. Thanks to the very good layer adhesion, it is more durable. The material can be sanded and holes can be drilled in it. It is very resistant to chemicals, including solvents, and relatively resistant to ultraviolet radiation and moisture. The maximum temperature in use for items made of PET-G is about 70°C – they may start to soften when exposed to higher temperatures. It is characterized by low shrinkage during 3D printing.
| Manufacturer | Name | Industrial grade | Data sheet | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium PETG | 3/5 | – | – | |
| PETG HT100 | 4/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | – |
Flexible materials for 3D printing are becoming more and more popular, allowing the creation of functional 3D objects that combine flexible properties with optimal durability. These materials, apart from flexibility, are characterized by mechanical properties (strength, resistance to friction and elevated temperatures) that do not differ from standard filaments. When 3D printing, remember that flexible materials tend to be more demanding than standard filaments.
Among the applications of flexible materials, manufacturers mention:
PP (Polypropylene) is one of the most commonly used polymers in industry. Its high flexibility, incredible durability, low weight and resistance to chemicals have meant that it has found countless applications from medicine, through the automotive industry to the packaging industry.
Nylon, also known as polyamide, is a popular synthetic polymer with many applications (including fishing lines). A characteristic of nylon-based materials is high strength combined with chemical and thermal resistance. Additionally, these materials can be further processed. Nylon is suitable for creating highly loaded structural elements such as tools, hinges, clamps, gears, functional prototypes and mechanical parts
It should be remembered that Nylon willingly absorbs moisture from the air and requires the use of special storage and working conditions (filament dryers or closed chambers in a 3D printer).
Heavy Duty materials are filaments with exceptionally high physical and chemical properties. They are composite thermoplastics, the chemical base of which is additionally reinforced with other materials, making them truly indestructible.
The examples of such materials are:
| Manufacturer | Name | Industrial grade | Data sheet | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | 5++ | 📄↷ [PL] | – | |
| PMMA | 4/5 | 📄↷ [PL] | – | |
| PA6 CF15 | 5++ | – | – | |
| PA6 GK10 | 5++ | – | – | |
| Z-PCABS | 5++ | 📄↷ [PL] 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 |
The SLA technology uses a laser beam, which photopolymerizes the 3D printed details in an extremely precise way. SLA is one of the most accurate additive methods on the market.
| Manufacturer | Name | Industrial grade | Data sheet | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STANDARD | 2/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| TOUGH 2000 | 5/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| DURABLE | 4/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| FLEXIBLE | 3/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| HIGH TEMP | 5/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| RIGID | 5/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 |
The UV LCD technology uses LCD screens with appropriate UV backlight for the photopolymerization of resins. Its advantage is that it 3D prints the entire layer of a single detail at once or several separate details simultaneously. It is a faster method than SLA, but it is not that precise and accurate (the laser beam has a higher photopolymerization accuracy than the light emitted by the LCD screen).
| Manufacturer | Name | Industrial grade | Data sheet | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BASIC | 1/5 | 📄↷ [EN] | 🛒 | |
| FLEXIBLE | 2/5 | – | – |