3D printing materials

Choose the right 3D printing material for your part.

For a custom 3D printed part, start with what it needs to survive—heat, weather, impact, wear, or chemicals. We will handle the printer settings and help you avoid paying for performance the part does not need.

Most indoor parts start with PLA or PETG. We recommend premium materials only when the job calls for them.

A simpler place to start

Four materials cover most real-world orders.

Choose by the environment and failure risk. If two options look close, upload the part and we will help narrow it down before production.

PLA printed finish sample
Common choice

PLA

Best value for indoor parts

Heat
Low
Finish
Clean, crisp detail
Price
Lowest
See where PLA fits
PETG printed finish sample
Common choice

PETG

Best all-around upgrade for tougher everyday parts

Heat
Moderate
Finish
Slightly glossier, durable finish
Price
Low
See where PETG fits
PETG-CF printed finish sample
Common choice

PETG-CF

Best for stiffer matte functional parts

Heat
Moderate
Finish
Matte carbon-fiber texture
Price
Mid-range
See where PETG-CF fits
ASA printed finish sample
Common choice

ASA

Best for long-term outdoor use

Heat
High
Finish
Smooth satin-matte finish
Price
Mid-range
See where ASA fits

Performance materials

Buy the performance the part needs—not the most technical-sounding material.

Carbon-filled polymers, engineering nylons, glass-filled materials, and PC-ABS make sense when the application has a clear requirement such as sustained heat, sliding wear, chemicals, high rigidity, or repeated impact.

Choose by the job

What matters most for the part you want made?

01 Low cost and clean detail

Use PLA for indoor prototypes, covers, organizers, and general shop helpers.

Start with PLA
02 Toughness and water resistance

Use PETG for brackets, mounts, covers, and everyday functional parts.

Start with PETG
03 Outdoor life and warm environments

Use ASA when long-term sunlight, weather, or automotive exterior use matters.

Start with ASA
04 Rigidity, wear, chemicals, or high heat

Compare carbon-filled and nylon options only after defining the hard requirement.

Compare engineering materials

Full material guide

Compare every available material.

Buyer guidance comes first. Manufacturer-reported values stay available for technical review without taking over the page.

PLA printed material sample

Everyday material

PLA

Best value for indoor parts

Lowest

Choose PLA for economical prototypes, display parts, shop helpers, and general indoor use when heat and weather are not concerns.

Toughness
Moderate
Heat
Low
Finish
Clean, crisp detail
Quote with PLA Ask about PLA Starts your upload with PLA selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

The economical choice for indoor prototypes, fit checks, organizers, and light-duty parts.

Best for
  • Visual prototypes and concept models
  • Indoor fixtures, jigs, organizers, and brackets
  • Fast, economical parts when heat resistance is not critical
Choose something else when

Choose PETG if the part will face moisture, weather, drops, or frequent handling.

Available colors Black White
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Density 1.21 g/cm3
Tensile strength 53.4 MPa
Elongation at break 20.3%
Flexural strength 81.8 MPa
Flexural modulus 2740 MPa
Impact strength 19.8 kJ/m2 (Izod notched)
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) 53.8 C
Vicat softening temperature 54 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

PETG printed material sample

Everyday material

PETG

Best all-around upgrade for tougher everyday parts

Low

Choose PETG when you need a more durable, water-resistant, and weather-resistant part than PLA without moving into carbon-fiber materials.

Toughness
High
Heat
Moderate
Finish
Slightly glossier, durable finish
Quote with PETG Ask about PETG Starts your upload with PETG selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

A dependable default for functional parts that need more durability and weather resistance than PLA.

Best for
  • Functional parts that need better toughness than PLA
  • Outdoor or utility parts exposed to water and weather
  • General-use brackets, mounts, covers, and enclosures
Choose something else when

Choose PLA for the lowest-cost indoor part, or PETG-CF when extra stiffness matters.

Available colors Black White
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Density 1.29 g/cm3
Tensile strength 42 +/- 2 MPa
Elongation at break 8.9% +/- 1.5%
Flexural strength 68 +/- 2 MPa
Flexural modulus 2097 +/- 173 MPa
Impact strength 87.6 +/- 4.2 kJ/m2
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) 72 C
Vicat softening temperature 70 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

PETG-CF printed material sample

Everyday material

PETG-CF

Best for stiffer matte functional parts

Mid-range

Choose PETG-CF when you want a stiffer, more dimensionally stable part with a matte carbon-fiber look and better wear resistance than standard PETG.

Toughness
Moderate to high
Heat
Moderate
Finish
Matte carbon-fiber texture
Quote with PETG-CF Ask about PETG-CF Starts your upload with PETG-CF selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

A practical upgrade for rigid fixtures, brackets, and holders with a clean matte finish.

Best for
  • Stiff brackets, jigs, tool holders, and structural parts
  • Applications that benefit from better dimensional stability
  • Parts where a matte, technical finish is desirable
Choose something else when

Choose standard PETG when toughness and lower price matter more than rigidity.

Available colors Black
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Density 1.29 g/cm3
Tensile strength 41 +/- 8 MPa
Elongation at break 9.6% +/- 1.0%
Flexural strength 75 +/- 2 MPa
Flexural modulus 3040 +/- 21 MPa
Impact strength 70.7 +/- 6.2 kJ/m2
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) 74 C
Vicat softening temperature 83 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

PET-CF printed material sample

Everyday material

PET-CF

Best for higher-stiffness engineering parts and more heat

Premium

Choose PET-CF when stiffness, dimensional stability, and better heat performance justify a premium over PETG-based options.

Toughness
Moderate
Heat
High
Finish
Matte engineering finish
Quote with PET-CF Ask about PET-CF Starts your upload with PET-CF selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

For dimensionally stable machine-side parts that need more stiffness and heat capability than PETG-based options.

Best for
  • Engineering-style brackets, frames, and machine components
  • Parts that benefit from low warping and strong dimensional stability
  • Applications needing higher stiffness or better heat performance
Choose something else when

Choose PETG-CF unless the part genuinely needs the added stiffness or temperature capability.

Available colors Black
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Density 1.30 g/cm3
Composition PET with 15% carbon fiber
Tensile strength (XY) 74 MPa unannealed; 73 MPa annealed
Tensile strength (Z) 35 MPa unannealed
Young's modulus (XY) 5950 MPa unannealed; 6700 MPa annealed
Young's modulus (Z) 3400 MPa unannealed
Elongation at break (XY) 2.5% unannealed; 1.5% annealed
Elongation at break (Z) 1.15% unannealed
Charpy impact strength 9 kJ/m2 unannealed; 4.8 kJ/m2 annealed
Flexural strength 116 MPa unannealed; 115 MPa annealed
Flexural modulus 5600 MPa unannealed; 5900 MPa annealed
Vicat softening temperature 220 C
Glass transition temperature 80 C
Izod impact 36 kJ/m
HDT at 1.8 MPa 76.6 C unannealed; 118 C annealed
HDT at 0.45 MPa 86.7 C unannealed; 176 C annealed
Water absorption 0.5%

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

ASA printed material sample

Engineering material

ASA

Best for long-term outdoor use

Mid-range

Choose ASA for functional parts that will live outdoors or face sustained sunlight, rain, changing weather, and warm environments.

Toughness
High
Heat
High
Finish
Smooth satin-matte finish
Quote with ASA Ask about ASA Starts your upload with ASA selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

For outdoor brackets, housings, mounts, and equipment parts that must tolerate sunlight, weather, and warm conditions.

Best for
  • Outdoor brackets, mounts, covers, and equipment parts
  • Automotive exterior accessories and sun-exposed components
  • Housings and fixtures that need weather and UV resistance
Choose something else when

Choose PETG for ordinary weather exposure at a lower price, or a reinforced material when rigidity is the main requirement.

Available colors Black
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Density 1.09 g/cm3
Tensile strength (XY) 35 +/- 2 MPa
Elongation at break (XY) 9.4% +/- 2.3%
Flexural strength 65 +/- 4 MPa
Flexural modulus 1905 +/- 131 MPa
Impact strength 40.1 +/- 3.7 kJ/m2 (XY)
HDT at 0.45 MPa 99 C
Vicat softening temperature 102 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

PA6-CF printed material sample

Engineering material

PA6-CF

Best for maximum stiffness and extreme heat

Premium

Choose PA6-CF for rigid, load-bearing engineering parts that need carbon-fiber reinforcement, wear resistance, and the highest advertised heat performance in this material lineup.

Toughness
High
Heat
Extreme
Finish
Frosted carbon-fiber matte
Quote with PA6-CF Ask about PA6-CF Starts your upload with PA6-CF selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

For rigid, load-bearing machine parts used around sustained heat, wear, or demanding service conditions.

Best for
  • High-stiffness brackets, gears, fixtures, and machine components
  • Parts used near sustained heat after the appropriate annealing process
  • Industrial components that benefit from a low-friction matte finish
Choose something else when

Choose PET-CF for a more economical rigid part, or PA12-CF for wet, oily, or chemical exposure.

Available colors Black
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Composition 80% PA nylon, 20% carbon fiber
Density 1.12 g/cm3
Tensile strength (XY) 112 +/- 10 MPa
Elongation at break (XY) 12% +/- 3%
Flexural strength 192 +/- 20 MPa
Flexural modulus 8600 +/- 400 MPa
Impact strength 6.5 +/- 2 kJ/m2 (notched Izod, XY)
HDT at 0.45 MPa 203 +/- 3 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

PA12-CF printed material sample

Engineering material

PA12-CF

Best for wear, oil, fuel, and lighter-weight parts

Premium

Choose PA12-CF for tough moving parts and automotive or shop components that need lower moisture sensitivity, strong wear resistance, and resistance to grease, fuel, and solvents.

Toughness
Very high
Heat
Very high
Finish
Low-friction carbon-fiber matte
Quote with PA12-CF Ask about PA12-CF Starts your upload with PA12-CF selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

For durable, lightweight parts exposed to sliding wear, moisture, grease, fuel, or shop chemicals.

Best for
  • Gears, bearings, sliding mechanisms, and wear surfaces
  • Automotive or shop parts exposed to grease, fuel, or solvents
  • Lightweight drone, bicycle, and portable equipment components
Choose something else when

Choose PA6-CF when maximum rigidity and heat are more important than environmental resistance.

Available colors Black
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Density 1.08 g/cm3
Composition 80% PA nylon, 20% carbon fiber
Tensile strength (XY) 86 +/- 6 MPa
Elongation at break (XY) 13.7% +/- 2.5%
Flexural strength 160 +/- 30 MPa
Flexural modulus 5800 +/- 300 MPa
Impact strength 11.3 +/- 2.5 kJ/m2 (XY)
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) 175 +/- 3 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

Easy PA printed material sample

Engineering material

Easy PA

Best nylon option for impact and abrasion

Premium

Choose Easy PA when you need nylon toughness, abrasion resistance, and repeated impact performance without paying for fiber-reinforced rigidity.

Toughness
Very high
Heat
High
Finish
Smooth engineering finish
Quote with Easy PA Ask about Easy PA Starts your upload with Easy PA selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

For tough functional parts that need to absorb impact, resist abrasion, and hold together under repeated use.

Best for
  • Impact-resistant gears, bearings, housings, and protective parts
  • Protective and moving parts exposed to repeated handling
  • Dynamic components that need toughness under repeated use
Choose something else when

Choose PETG when ordinary functional durability is enough, or a fiber-reinforced nylon when rigidity matters more.

Available colors Black
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Composition Nylon 6/66 copolymer
Density 1.10 g/cm3
Tensile strength 61 +/- 6 MPa
Elongation at break 15% +/- 3%
Flexural strength 91 +/- 5 MPa
Flexural modulus 2314 +/- 250 MPa
Impact strength 11 +/- 3 kJ/m2 (notched Izod, XY)
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) 119 +/- 3 C
Vicat softening temperature 135 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

PA6-GF printed material sample

Engineering material

PA6-GF

Best for high heat and chemical resistance

Premium

Choose PA6-GF for glass-fiber-reinforced nylon parts that need high heat capability, chemical resistance, impact performance, and strong dimensional stability.

Toughness
High
Heat
Extreme
Finish
Smooth glass-fiber engineering finish
Quote with PA6-GF Ask about PA6-GF Starts your upload with PA6-GF selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

For rigid industrial parts exposed to heat, cleaners, fuels, or demanding shop environments.

Best for
  • Automotive brackets, electrical housings, and industrial molds
  • Chemical-system parts exposed to fuels or harsh cleaners
  • Functional jigs and components that need a smooth rigid finish
Choose something else when

Choose PA6-CF when maximum stiffness is the priority, or PET-CF when the environment is less severe.

Available colors Black
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Composition 75% PA nylon, 25% glass fiber
Density 1.269 g/cm3
Tensile strength 89 +/- 8 MPa
Elongation at break 12.5% +/- 3%
Flexural strength 176 +/- 8 MPa
Impact strength 10.5 +/- 2.5 kJ/m2 (notched Izod)
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) 205.2 +/- 3 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

PC-ABS printed material sample

Engineering material

PC-ABS

Best for tough, heat-resistant, paint-ready parts

Premium

Choose PC-ABS when you need the strength and thermal stability of polycarbonate with the impact resistance, finish quality, and post-processing advantages of ABS.

Toughness
Very high
Heat
High
Finish
Smooth, paint-ready finish
Quote with PC-ABS Ask about PC-ABS Starts your upload with PC-ABS selected. You can still compare materials before checkout.
Why customers choose it

For tough housings, guards, handles, and finished parts that may be painted or otherwise post-processed.

Best for
  • Automotive trim, robot parts, tool handles, and protective housings
  • Painted, plated, or display-grade engineering models
  • Impact-loaded parts used in warm environments
Choose something else when

Choose PETG for a lower-cost utility part, or PET-CF when stiffness matters more than impact resistance.

Available colors Black
View performance data for technical buyers
Part-performance property Manufacturer-reported value
Composition Polycarbonate and ABS hybrid
Density 1.081 g/cm3
Tensile strength 38 +/- 3 MPa
Elongation at break 8% +/- 2%
Flexural strength 70 +/- 3 MPa
Flexural modulus 2300 +/- 200 MPa
Impact strength 15 +/- 3 kJ/m2 (notched Izod)
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) 102 +/- 2 C

These are typical values from standardized manufacturer testing. Printed-part results vary with geometry, load direction, wall thickness, infill, environment, and production method. Heat-deflection temperature is a comparison point—not a guaranteed continuous-use temperature.

Material ratings are selection guidance, not guaranteed part specifications. Ask for an application review when a requirement is safety-critical or must meet a published value.

Ready when your file is

Turn the material choice into a priced part.

Upload STL, STEP, or STP files, compare pricing, and review the order before checkout.

Need help before ordering?

Not sure which material fits the job?

Tell us what the part needs to do, including heat, impact, wear, chemicals, or outdoor exposure, and we will help narrow down the everyday and performance options.