Which plastic for your part?
Engineering plastics for FDM, resins for SLA and polyamide for SLS – the manufacturer's data sheet comes with every delivery.
Three processes, their own materials
| Process | Material | Strength | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDM | PLA | stiff, low cost | Visual models, gauges at room temperature |
| FDM | PETG | tough, chemical resistant | Brackets, covers, KLT inserts |
| FDM | ABS · ASA | impact resistant · UV and weather resistant | Housings, outdoor parts |
| FDM | PLA-CF · PETG-CF | carbon fibre, dimensionally stable | Nests, fixtures, precise holders |
| FDM | PA6-CF · PAHT-CF | carbon fibre, high strength | Gripper jaws, load-bearing tooling |
| FDM | PPS-CF | carbon fibre, heat and chemicals | Parts near machines |
| FDM | TPU 95A | flexible | Gripping pads, buffers, sealing lips |
| SLA | Standard · tough resin | fine, smooth · ABS-like | Visual parts, housings |
| SLA | Clear · high-temp resin | transparent · heat resistant | Windows, flow models, warm parts |
| SLS | PA12 · PA11 | robust, no supports · tough | Functional parts, snap fits, channels |
| SLS | PA12-GF | glass filled, stiff | Stiff functional parts, housings under load |
Limits are in the manufacturer's data sheet included with every delivery. PC on request.
Choosing a material
Which material for outdoor use?
ASA is UV and weather resistant and stays dimensionally stable in the sun. PLA softens and becomes brittle; PETG lasts longer but ages faster outdoors than ASA.
Which material takes heat?
PLA softens around 60 °C. For warm environments we use ASA, carbon fibre polyamides or PPS-CF, in SLA the high-temperature resin. Tell us the temperature at the part.
When is carbon fibre worth it?
When the part must be stiff and dimensionally stable – nests, jaws, fixtures. The fibres reduce warping and creep; the surface is matt.
Tell us temperature, load and media
We recommend a material – and say so if metal or moulding is the better choice.