PLA lacrosse head by StringKing x Makerbot

Choosing the right 3D printing material can be a conundrum, but the choice can be made easier by asking yourself a couple simple questions. Once you know exactly what you want your part to do and withstand, you’ll be able to choose the perfect 3D printing material for your project.

What is your application?

The application of your product plays a big role in choosing the right 3D printing material. Or you may find that a subtractive technique, such as CNC machining, is ideal.

These are some common applications and the popular materials used for them:

Prototyping

Prototypes can serve various purposes, but generally they are produced to understand the look and feel of the final product, to see how the pieces will fit together, and to model designs. The best prototyping materials are typically polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, and resin materials.

Functional prototypes/parts

These serve the specific purpose of observing and testing mechanical properties, the movements of linkages, their strength, their operation, and the impact on adjacent parts. Depending on the level of functionality needed, you may be able to use low-cost materials such as PLA and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), or you may have to opt for pricer materials like nylon and resin for more complex parts.

Parts with intricate features

For parts with intricate details above 100 microns (0.1 millimeter), most 3D printing processes or material should offer a viable solution. For features less than 100 microns, users will have to get their parts 3D-printed in a high-detail printer that uses a suitable application-specific material, such as resin or nylon.

Castable wax resin ring by Formlabs

Strength and durability

If your part needs to be tough and last a long time, Nylon or ABS are top choices. ABS is an industrial-grade material already used in many mainstream applications. Nylon also showcases substantial durability and high impact resistance. HP Nylon PA 11 and PA 12 produce parts with optimal mechanical properties and scalable production runs.

Another option is to try Tough PLA, a tougher, blended version of regular PLA. 

Aesthetics

When aesthetics trump other aspects of the print, then a few materials and technologies are perfectly suited to the demand. 

PLA is the best option for constrained budgets, as it can be finished using paint or even electroplating. PETG is another affordable material to use if parts require transparency. 

If budget is not a limitation, you can opt for resin 3D printing, as it delivers smooth surface finish without compromising intricate details. Materials are also formulated for specific applications like toughness, flexibility, and biocompatibility.

Lastly, users can also try full-color 3D printing with nylon to achieve functional, multi-colored parts.

What are your specific considerations?

Many applications will pose specific risks or demands on your product, and in these cases you will need to make certain considerations when choosing your materials so you can ensure the product is up to the task.

Here are some unique specifications you may need for your product:

Flame-retardant

If the part in question is to be used in an environment where there is a fire risk, then such conditions demand a flame-retardant material. There is no compromise on this, so specific materials have to be used.

For such a need, users can opt for flame-retardant materials like DSM Novamid® AM1030 FR (F), Arkema FluorX™, Clariant PA6/66-GF20 Flame Retardant using Exolit®, and more. 

Biocompatible

If you are developing a part that will be in frequent contact with skin or used for a medical application, it must be made of a biocompatible material. The material should not have any adverse effect on any individual using the product, even after prolonged use. Such materials are developed for all technologies and should be discussed with a 3D printing professional prior to design and production.

Weather resistant

If the part is to be used outdoors, the ideal materials would be PETG and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA). Both materials are water-resistant and can withstand temperature changes. Their properties are not affected by prolonged outdoor use.

Heat resistant 

Many applications require the part to withstand high temperatures. Many materials cannot sustain prolonged exposure to high temperature, and may deform immediately or after repeated use. For reliable performance, you should consider heat-resistant materials like polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for FDM/FFF, high-temperature resin for SLA/DLP, multi jet fusion PA12, and glass-filled nylon. 

Flexible

For applications that require flexibility or elasticity, popular materials include TPU in FDM/FFF, elastic material in SLA/DLP, polyether block amide (PEBA) material used in SLS, or TPU01 and TPU88A in multi jet fusion (MJF).