3D Printing
3D Printing Materials and Methods Our state-of-the-art 3D printing services utilize a variety of advanced materials and cutting-edge printing technologies to bring your designs to life. Whether you’re creating functional prototypes, custom parts, or marketable products, each material and method offers unique properties to suit your needs. Below, explore the details of our offerings, including visual finish, tensile strength, flexibility, price points, and more.
1. Nylon PA12 (Multi Jet Fusion - MJF) Printing Method
MJF uses high-precision inkjet technology to fuse nylon powder, creating dense, robust parts with excellent detail. Visual Finish: Smooth, slightly matte grey surface with crisp edges and minimal visible layer lines, though it can be dyed or finished for a polished look. Tensile Strength: High (around 50-55 MPa), offering strong mechanical performance suitable for functional parts. Flexibility: Moderately flexible with good impact resistance, though less elastic than some other nylons. Price: Moderate to high due to MJF’s advanced process, but cost-effective for small-to-medium batches. Other Attributes: Watertight for walls over 4mm, low porosity, and excellent dimensional stability, making it ideal for engineering applications like housings and brackets.
2. Nylon PA11 (Multi Jet Fusion - MJF) Printing Method
Similar to PA12, MJF fuses PA11 powder with precision, known for producing parts with enhanced flexibility. Visual Finish: Smooth, matte grey finish with fine detail, customizable with post-processing for a sleek appearance. Tensile Strength: Slightly lower than PA12 (around 45-50 MPa), but still robust for demanding applications. Flexibility: More flexible than PA12, with superior elongation at break (up to 40%), ideal for parts needing slight bending. Price: Comparable to PA12, with a slight premium due to material properties, still efficient for batch production. Other Attributes: Biocompatible and resistant to wear, perfect for medical devices or durable consumer goods.
3. Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Nylon (Fused Deposition Modeling - FDM) Printing Method
FDM extrudes thermoplastic filament layer by layer, with carbon fiber reinforcement added for strength. Visual Finish: Matte black or dark grey with a textured surface due to layering; sanding or painting can enhance aesthetics. Tensile Strength: Very high (up to 80-100 MPa), thanks to carbon fiber, rivaling some metals for stiffness. Flexibility: Low flexibility, rigid and brittle, designed for structural integrity over elasticity. Price: Higher than standard FDM materials due to carbon fiber content, but cost-effective for high-strength needs. Other Attributes: Lightweight, heat-resistant (up to 120°C), and excellent for aerospace or automotive components.
4. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) (Fused Deposition Modeling - FDM) Printing Method
FDM deposits flexible TPU filament, ideal for elastic parts with good layer adhesion. Visual Finish: Slightly textured, semi-gloss finish that can be smoothed with post-processing; available in various colors. Tensile Strength: Moderate (around 30-50 MPa), sufficient for flexible applications, but not structural loads. Flexibility: Highly flexible and elastic, with elongation up to 300%, perfect for seals or wearable items. Price: Affordable, one of the lower-cost FDM materials, making it accessible for prototyping. Other Attributes: Abrasion-resistant and oil-resistant, suitable for industrial or consumer flexible parts.
5. PLA (Polylactic Acid) (Fused Deposition Modeling - FDM) Printing Method
FDM uses biodegradable PLA filament, extruded at lower temperatures for ease of use. Visual Finish: Smooth, glossy finish with visible layer lines; post-processing can enhance detail; available in vibrant colors. Tensile Strength: Moderate (around 30-40 MPa), adequate for non-functional prototypes or decorative items. Flexibility: Low, brittle under stress, not ideal for high-impact use. Price: Very affordable, the cheapest FDM option, great for beginners or large-scale printing. Other Attributes: Biodegradable and eco-friendly, with a low printing temperature (180-220°C), but limited heat resistance (below 60°C).
6. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) (Fused Deposition Modeling - FDM) Printing Method
FDM extrudes ABS filament, requiring a heated bed for strong layer bonding. Visual Finish: Matte, slightly textured finish; sanding or acetone vapor smoothing can yield a glossy look. Tensile Strength: Moderate to high (around 30-50 MPa), tougher than PLA with better impact resistance. Flexibility: Slightly flexible, less brittle than PLA, suitable for functional parts. Price: Moderate, slightly higher than PLA but cost-effective for durable items. Other Attributes: Heat-resistant (up to 90°C), chemical-resistant, and widely used for automotive or toy parts.
7. Titanium (Ti6Al4V) (Selective Laser Melting - SLM) Printing Method
SLM uses a laser to fuse titanium powder, creating complex, high-strength metal parts. Visual Finish: Raw metallic finish with a slightly porous texture; polishing or coating can enhance appearance. Tensile Strength: Extremely high (around 900-1200 MPa), comparable to traditionally machined titanium. Flexibility: Low, rigid with minimal elasticity, designed for structural applications. Price: Very high due to material and SLM process costs, best for specialized industrial use. Other Attributes: Biocompatible, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight, ideal for aerospace or medical implants.
8. SS 316 (Stainless Steel 316) (Selective Laser Melting - SLM) Printing Method
SLM fuses SS 316 powder with a laser, producing durable metal components. Visual Finish: Metallic, slightly rough finish; post-processing can achieve a polished or brushed look. Tensile Strength: High (around 600-800 MPa), offering excellent durability. Flexibility: Low, rigid and strong, suited for static parts. Price: High, reflecting the cost of stainless steel and SLM technology. Other Attributes: Corrosion-resistant, especially in saline environments, perfect for marine or food-grade applications.
9. PC (Polycarbonate) (Fused Deposition Modeling - FDM) Printing Method
FDM extrudes PC filament, requiring a heated chamber for optimal strength. Visual Finish: Glossy, transparent or tinted finish with visible layers; post-processing can smooth it. Tensile Strength: High (around 60-70 MPa), with excellent impact resistance. Flexibility: Moderate, tougher than ABS with some elasticity. Price: Moderate to high, due to material and printing requirements. Other Attributes: Heat-resistant (up to 110°C), UV-resistant, and ideal for engineering or protective parts.
10. PC-ABS (Fused Deposition Modeling - FDM) Printing Method
FDM combines PC and ABS filaments for a hybrid material with enhanced properties. Visual Finish: Matte to semi-gloss finish, smoothable with post-processing; available in multiple colors. Tensile Strength: High (around 40-60 MPa), blending PC’s strength with ABS’s toughness. Flexibility: Moderate, less brittle than PLA with good impact resistance. Price: Moderate, slightly higher than ABS alone, but cost-effective for hybrid benefits. Other Attributes: Heat-resistant (up to 100°C), chemical-resistant, and suitable for automotive or consumer goods.
11. Resin (6060/9600) (Stereolithography - SLA) Printing Method
SLA uses a laser to cure liquid resin layer by layer, offering exceptional detail. Visual Finish: Smooth, glossy finish with near-invisible layer lines; available in clear or colored options. Tensile Strength: Moderate (around 50-70 MPa for 6060, 65-85 MPa for 9600), depending on formulation. Flexibility: Low to moderate, with 6060 being stiffer and 9600 offering slight flexibility. Price: Moderate, with 9600 slightly higher due to enhanced properties; cost-effective for high-detail parts. Other Attributes: High resolution (down to 25-50 microns), water-resistant, and ideal for jewelry, dental models, or detailed prototypes.