Material Selection and Comparison

Tailored Material Selection for Industrial Performance

Optimizing a component for industrial use requires the perfect balance of mechanical strength, thermal resistance, and chemical stability. We process a carefully selected portfolio of engineering and high-performance polymers, ensuring your parts meet the exact demands of their operating environment.

High-Performance & Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (Metal Replacement)

This group represents the pinnacle of modern additive manufacturing, offering composite materials capable of replacing aluminum and other metals due to extreme stiffness and thermal stability.

Carbon & Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon (PA-CF / PA6-CF / PA-GF)

  • Engineered for: Maximum mechanical strength, structural rigidity, and exceptional impact resistance under heavy loads.
  • Key Properties: Outstanding tensile strength and high continuous-operating temperature resistance. Glass-fiber variants (PA-GF) provide superior dimensional stability and isotropic strength.
  • Typical Applications: Heavy-duty manufacturing jigs, fixtures, robotic end-effectors, automotive functional components, and load-bearing brackets.

PET-CF (Polyethylene Terephthalate Carbon Fiber)

  • Engineered for: High strength and structural integrity paired with low moisture absorption compared to standard Polyamides (Nylon).

  • Key Properties: Excellent dimensional stability, high heat deflection temperature, and low warp, ensuring tight tolerances are maintained even in humid environments.

  • Typical Applications: Functional prototypes, structural parts exposed to moisture, and durable industrial tooling.

Ultra-Performance Polymers (PPA-CF / PPA-GF / PPS-CF)

  • Engineered for: Extreme environments where standard engineering plastics fail due to heat, chemical exposure, or mechanical stress.

  • Key Properties: PPA-CF/GF (Polyphthalamide) offers superior mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. PPS-CF (Polyphenylene Sulfide) delivers exceptional chemical resistance, inherits flame-retardant properties, and withstands extreme operating temperatures.

  • Typical Applications: Aerospace prototypes, under-the-hood automotive parts, chemical processing components, and high-temperature electrical enclosures.

Advanced Engineering Polymers

Reliable, versatile, and chemically resistant materials designed for functional testing, durable enclosures, and mid-range mechanical applications.

ABS / ASA (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene / Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)

  • Engineered for: High impact resistance, durability, and post-processing versatility. ASA features exceptional UV and weather resistance.
  • Key Properties: Excellent mechanical toughness and temperature resistance. ASA is uniquely stabilized against yellowing and degradation from outdoor exposure.
  • Typical Applications: Outdoor housings, automotive exterior trim, electronic enclosures, and end-use consumer product components.

Polycarbonate (PC)

  • Engineered for: High-temperature resistance, structural toughness, and optical clarity (in translucent variants).
  • Key Properties: Superior heat deflection temperature, high tensile strength, and excellent impact absorption.
  • Typical Applications: High-heat enclosures, protective shields, structural mechanical brackets, and automotive interior components.

Standard & Functional Polymers

Everyday production materials optimized for rapid prototyping, visual models, or specific mechanical behaviors like flexibility.

PLA / PETG (Polylactic Acid / Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

  • Engineered for: Rapid concept validation, precise geometric modeling, and lightweight functional parts.

  • Key Properties: PLA offers incredible surface finish and detail crispness (ideal for complex geometries). PETG provides a reliable balance of mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and mild flexibility. Both baseline resins are FDA compliant for basic food contact characteristics, though strict post-processing rules apply to final parts.

  • Typical Applications: Concept prototypes, architectural models, low-load visual components, and non-critical industrial housings.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

  • Engineered for: Elasticity, vibration damping, and superior wear/abrasion resistance.

  • Key Properties: High elongation at break, rubber-like flexibility (with adjustable Shore hardness based on part geometry), and excellent resistance to oils and grease.

  • Typical Applications: Custom gaskets, seals, dampening pads, protective boots, and flexible drive belts.

Quick-Reference Matrix

Material Class Top Characteristic Temperature Resistance Impact Toughness
PPA-CF / PPS-CF Extreme Heat & Chemical Extreme High
PA-CF / PA6-CF Structural Rigidity (Metal Sub) High Extreme
PET-CF Rigid & Low Moisture Warp High High
Polycarbonate (PC) High Heat Enclosures High High
ASA / ABS Outdoor Durability & UV (ASA) Medium High
PETG Balanced Strength & Chemical Medium Medium
TPU Rubber-like Flexibility Low Extreme (Flexible)
PLA Maximum Detail & Prototyping Low Low