Material Guide 3D Printing Materials For Choosing the Right Material for Every Part

Forge Labs sample cubes in MJF nylon, DMLS copper, FDM ABS and SLA resin

Process

45 Materials

Material	Process	Strength	Heat	Stretch	Open
ABS FDM Impact-resistant thermoplastic for durable functional parts. Strength 30.8 MPa Heat 104.4 °C Stretch 1.8 %	FDM	30.8 MPa	104.4 °C	1.8 %	›
ABS-ESD7 FDM Electrostatic dissipative ABS for sensitive electronic environments. Strength 35.4 MPa Heat 104.6 °C Stretch 2.1 %	FDM	35.4 MPa	104.6 °C	2.1 %	›
Accura 25 SLA General-purpose SLA resin for visual and fit-check models. Strength 38 MPa Heat 58–63 °C Stretch 13–20 %	SLA	38 MPa	58–63 °C	13–20 %	›
Accura ClearVue SLA Transparent SLA resin for clear enclosures and optics. Strength 46–53 MPa Heat 51 °C Stretch 3–15 %	SLA	46–53 MPa	51 °C	3–15 %	›
Accura Xtreme White 200 SLA SLA resin with improved toughness and white finish. Strength 45–50 MPa Heat 47 °C Stretch 7–20 %	SLA	45–50 MPa	47 °C	7–20 %	›
Agilus30 PolyJet Rubber-like PolyJet material for flexible prototypes. Strength 2.4–3.1 MPa Stretch 220–270 %	PolyJet	2.4–3.1 MPa	–	220–270 %	›
Aluminum 6061 DMLS Versatile aluminum alloy for machined and structural parts. Strength 331 MPa Stretch 12 %	DMLS	331 MPa	–	12 %	›
Aluminum 6061-T6 CNC Machining Aerospace-grade aluminum for accurate, lightweight CNC parts. Strength 310 MPa Stretch 12 %	CNC Machining	310 MPa	–	12 %	›
Aluminum 7075-T6 CNC Machining Steel-like strength in a lightweight CNC aluminum. Strength 572 MPa Stretch 11 %	CNC Machining	572 MPa	–	11 %	›
Aluminum AlSi10Mg DMLS Lightweight metal for complex DMLS geometries. Strength 461 MPa Stretch 10.2 %	DMLS	461 MPa	–	10.2 %	›
Antero 800NA PEKK FDM High-performance PEKK for extreme thermal/chemical exposure. Strength 86.7 MPa Heat 158 °C Stretch 4.7 %	FDM	86.7 MPa	158 °C	4.7 %	›
ASA FDM UV-stable ABS-like polymer for outdoor-facing applications. Strength 32.8 MPa Heat 103 °C Stretch 2.5 %	FDM	32.8 MPa	103 °C	2.5 %	›
Copper CuCrZr DMLS High-conductivity copper alloy for thermal applications. Strength 340 MPa Stretch 25 %	DMLS	340 MPa	–	25 %	›
Delrin (Acetal) CNC Machining Low-friction acetal plastic for precision mechanical components. Strength 76 MPa Heat 169 °C Stretch 25 %	CNC Machining	76 MPa	169 °C	25 %	›
ESD Resin SLA Static-dissipative SLA resin for electronics jigs, fixtures and trays. Strength 44.2 MPa Heat 62.2 °C Stretch 12 %	SLA	44.2 MPa	62.2 °C	12 %	›
Flame Retardant Resin SLA Self-extinguishing UL 94 V-0 SLA resin for enclosures and interiors. Strength 38 MPa Heat 94 °C Stretch 9.4 %	SLA	38 MPa	94 °C	9.4 %	›
Glass Filled Nylon PA12 SLS Glass-filled nylon for higher stiffness and thermal stability. Strength 51 MPa Heat 157 °C Stretch 9 %	SLS	51 MPa	157 °C	9 %	›
High Temperature Resin SLA SLA resin designed for elevated-temperature applications. Strength 58 MPa Heat 120 °C Stretch 3.3 %	SLA	58 MPa	120 °C	3.3 %	›
HP High Reusability PA12 MJF MJF nylon tuned for consistent strength and throughput. Strength 50 MPa Heat 175 °C Stretch 10 %	MJF	50 MPa	175 °C	10 %	›
HP MJF PA12 Glass Filled MJF MJF nylon with added stiffness and dimensional control. Strength 30 MPa Heat 174 °C Stretch 10 %	MJF	30 MPa	174 °C	10 %	›
Maraging Steel MS1 DMLS Ultra-high-strength tool steel for demanding load cases. Strength 2085 MPa Stretch 4.5 %	DMLS	2085 MPa	–	4.5 %	›
Nylon PA12 (EOS PA 2200) SLS Everyday SLS nylon for functional parts. Strength 50 MPa Heat 157 °C Stretch 20 %	SLS	50 MPa	157 °C	20 %	›
Nylon PA12 (Evonik PA 6002 P) SLS Premium SLS nylon for finer, tougher parts. Strength 50 MPa Stretch 16 %	SLS	50 MPa	–	16 %	›
Nylon PA12 ESD SLS ESD-safe nylon for electronics fixtures and housings. Strength 50 MPa Heat 157 °C Stretch 20 %	SLS	50 MPa	157 °C	20 %	›
PAHT-CF Carbon Fiber Nylon FDM Carbon-filled nylon for rigid, lightweight functional parts. Strength 92 MPa Heat 194 °C Stretch 8.4 %	FDM	92 MPa	194 °C	8.4 %	›
PC-ABS FDM Blend combining ABS processability with polycarbonate toughness. Strength 36.5 MPa Heat 117.9 °C Stretch 3.0 %	FDM	36.5 MPa	117.9 °C	3.0 %	›
PEEK CNC Machining Chemical- and heat-resistant PEEK for CNC parts in extreme environments. Strength 110 MPa Heat 160 °C Stretch 5 %	CNC Machining	110 MPa	160 °C	5 %	›
Polycarbonate FDM High-strength, heat-resistant plastic for structural components. Strength 93.9 MPa Heat 144.0 °C Stretch 4.8 %	FDM	93.9 MPa	144.0 °C	4.8 %	›
Polycarbonate (CNC) CNC Machining Clear, impact-resistant CNC plastic for guards, lenses and covers. Strength 65.5 MPa Heat 132 °C Stretch 110 %	CNC Machining	65.5 MPa	132 °C	110 %	›
Polypropylene MJF Genuine MJF polypropylene for chemical-resistant, weldable, lightweight parts. Strength 29 MPa Heat 100 °C Stretch 9.5 %	MJF	29 MPa	100 °C	9.5 %	›
RGD450 (Rigur) PolyJet PolyJet polypropylene-like material for snap-fit concepts. Strength 40–45 MPa Heat 49–54 °C Stretch 20–35 %	PolyJet	40–45 MPa	49–54 °C	20–35 %	›
Stainless Steel 17-4 PH DMLS High-strength precipitation-hardening stainless alloy. Strength 1335 MPa Heat 316 °C Stretch 14 %	DMLS	1335 MPa	316 °C	14 %	›
Stainless Steel 17-4 PH (CNC) CNC Machining Heat-treatable CNC stainless for strong, corrosion-resistant parts. Strength 1340 MPa Heat 316 °C Stretch 10 %	CNC Machining	1340 MPa	316 °C	10 %	›
Stainless Steel 304 CNC Machining General-purpose corrosion-resistant stainless for machined parts. Strength 515 MPa Heat 870 °C Stretch 40 %	CNC Machining	515 MPa	870 °C	40 %	›
Stainless Steel 316L DMLS Corrosion-resistant stainless alloy for harsh environments. Strength 630 MPa Stretch 41 %	DMLS	630 MPa	–	41 %	›
Titanium Ti-6Al-4V DMLS High-strength, low-weight titanium for critical applications. Strength 1080 MPa Stretch 15 %	DMLS	1080 MPa	–	15 %	›
Tough 1500 Resin SLA Polypropylene-like SLA resin for snap fits, clips and parts that flex. Strength 34 MPa Heat 66 °C Stretch 6.1 %	SLA	34 MPa	66 °C	6.1 %	›
Tough 2000 Resin SLA ABS-like SLA resin for stiff, strong housings, brackets and fixtures. Strength 40.4 MPa Heat 70 °C Stretch 4.5 %	SLA	40.4 MPa	70 °C	4.5 %	›
TPU 88A SLS Flexible elastomer for cushioning, seals, and wearables. Strength 8 MPa Heat 98 °C Stretch 270 %	SLS	8 MPa	98 °C	270 %	›
TPU 90A SLS Skin-safe flexible elastomer for wearables, grips and covers. Strength 8.7 MPa Heat 94.3 °C Stretch 310 %	SLS	8.7 MPa	94.3 °C	310 %	›
TPU 92A FDM Durable flexible material with improved tear resistance. Strength 15.6 MPa Heat 38 °C Stretch 466 %	FDM	15.6 MPa	38 °C	466 %	›
ULTEM 1010 FDM High-heat PEI for demanding thermal and chemical environments. Strength 79.2 MPa Heat 216.9 °C Stretch 4.0 %	FDM	79.2 MPa	216.9 °C	4.0 %	›
ULTEM 9085 FDM Flame-resistant aerospace-grade thermoplastic with high strength. Strength 69.2 MPa Heat 178.2 °C Stretch 5.4 %	FDM	69.2 MPa	178.2 °C	5.4 %	›
USP Class VI Biocompatible ClearVue SLA Biocompatible clear resin for medical workflows. Strength 46–53 MPa Heat 51 °C Stretch 3–15 %	SLA	46–53 MPa	51 °C	3–15 %	›
VeroClear PolyJet Clear PolyJet resin for transparent visual components. Strength 50–65 MPa Heat 45–50 °C Stretch 10–25 %	PolyJet	50–65 MPa	45–50 °C	10–25 %	›

More materials

Also available, without full comparison data yet.

PLA
FFF
Easy-to-print biodegradable thermoplastic ideal for concept models and visual prototypes
ABS
FFF
Durable thermoplastic with higher temperature resistance than PLA
PETG
FFF
Strong, flexible material with good chemical resistance
TPU (Flexible)
FFF
Rubber-like flexible material for soft-touch applications
Inconel 718
SLM
High-temperature nickel alloy with outstanding strength retention at extreme temperatures

Resources

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Datasheets

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Design guides

Wall thickness, tolerances and finishing guidance for each process, before you send a file.

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Quality documentation

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