Materials Catalogue
Everyday Materials
PLA
PLA
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 55–60°C
Advantages & Properties:
- Clean surface finish
- Low cost
- Many finishes: matte, silk, translucent, marble, wood, metal, sparkle, glow, and more
- Great colour options
- Good detail quality
Best Applications:
- Logos and signs
- Toys and decorative items
- Prototypes
- Display models
- Product samples
- Home décor
- Simple prototypes
Disadvantages:
- Not ideal for hot environments
- Can deform in cars or direct sun
- Lower impact resistance than engineering materials
- Not best for heavy-duty functional parts
PLA-CF
PLA-CF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 55–60°C
Advantages :
- Stiffer than regular PLA
- Carbon-fiber reinforced
- Clean matte technical finish
- Lightweight
- Good dimensional accuracy
Best Applications:
- Display parts with a premium finish
- Light-duty brackets
- Prototypes
- Decorative automotive-style parts
- Product samples
- Design models
Disadvantages:
- Not ideal for high heat
- More brittle than some engineering materials
- Not flexible
- Lower strength than nylon or PPA-CF
PETG
PETG
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 65–75°C
Advantages :
- Stronger and tougher than PLA
- Good impact resistance
- More flexible than PLA
- Better heat resistance than PLA
- Good for functional parts
Best Applications :
- Brackets and mounts
- Clips and covers
- Storage parts
- Functional prototypes
- Indoor/outdoor general-use parts
- Business production parts
Disadvantages:
- Less clean surface finish than PLA
- Not as stiff as PLA-CF
- Not ideal for very high heat
- Limited high-end finish options
PETG-CF
PETG HF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 70–80°C
Advantages :
- Stronger and stiffer than regular PETG
- Carbon-fiber reinforced
- Clean matte finish
- Good dimensional stability
- Better for functional parts than standard PETG
Best Applications:
- Brackets and mounts
- Functional prototypes
- Jigs and fixtures
- Automotive-style parts
- Business production parts
- Parts that need a strong, clean finish
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost than regular PETG
- Not flexible
- Lower heat resistance than ABS, ASA, PC, or PPA-CF
- Limited colour options
Engineering / Reinforced Materials
ABS
ABS
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 87–94°C
Advantages :
- Tough and impact-resistant
- Good heat resistance
- Strong for functional parts
- Can be sanded, painted, and finished
Best Applications :
- Automotive interior parts
- Enclosures
- Brackets and mounts
- Jigs and fixtures
- Functional prototypes
Disadvantages:
- Not ideal for long-term outdoor sun exposure
- Not flexible
- Lower heat resistance than advanced materials like PC, PPS-CF, or PPA-CF
ABS-GF
ABS-GF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 90–100°C
Advantages :
- Stronger and stiffer than regular ABS
- Glass-fiber reinforced
- Better shape stability
- Good impact resistance
- Strong functional finish
Best Applications :
- Strong brackets and mounts
- Automotive components
- Jigs and fixtures
- Tooling parts
- Business production parts
Disadvantages:
- Less flexible than regular ABS
- Limited colour options
- Not ideal for decorative parts
- Lower heat resistance than PC, PPS-CF, or PPA-CF
ASA
ASA
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 90–100°C
Advantages :
- Great outdoor resistance
- UV and weather resistant
- Strong and durable
- Good heat resistance
- Can be sanded, painted, and finished
Best Applications:
- Outdoor parts
- Automotive exterior parts
- Signs and covers
- Brackets and housings
- Parts exposed to sun or weather
Disadvantages:
- Not flexible
- Not ideal for very high-temperature applications
- Lower stiffness than carbon-fiber reinforced materials
ASA-CF
ASA-CF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 95–105°C
Advantages :
- Carbon-fiber reinforced
- Stiffer than regular ASA
- UV and weather resistant
- Strong matte finish
- Good for outdoor functional parts
Best Applications :
- Outdoor brackets and mounts
- Automotive exterior parts
- Weather-resistant components
- Jigs and fixtures
- Strong housings and covers
Disadvantages:
- Less flexible than regular ASA
- Limited colour options
- Higher cost than regular ASA
- Not as heat-resistant as PC, PPS-CF, or PPA-CF
PC / Polycarbonate
PC FR / Polycarbonate
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 110–120°C
Advantages :
- Very strong and tough
- High heat resistance
- Flame-retardant option available
- Good impact resistance
- Strong for demanding functional parts
Best Applications:
- Electrical enclosures
- Heat-resistant parts
- Strong brackets and housings
- Industrial components
- Functional prototypes
- Parts needing extra toughness
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost than ABS or ASA
- Not flexible
- Not ideal for basic decorative parts
- Limited colour and finish options
PA / Nylon
PA6-CF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 180–190°C
Advantages :
- Carbon-fiber reinforced nylon
- Very strong and stiff
- Excellent heat resistance
- Lightweight but rigid
- Premium matte finish
Best Applications:
- Engine-bay components
- Structural brackets
- Automotive performance parts
- Drone or robotics parts
- High-strength prototypes
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost than regular materials
- Not flexible
- Limited colour options
- Usually overkill for simple low-stress parts
PA6-GF
PA6-GF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 180–190°C
Advantages :
- Glass-fiber reinforced nylon
- Strong and tough
- Better impact resistance than many carbon-fiber materials
- Good heat resistance
- Durable for repeated use
Best Applications:
- Strong clips and fasteners
- Tool handles and grips
- Industrial replacement parts
- Jigs and fixtures
- Durable production parts
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost than regular materials
- Less flexible than standard nylon
- Limited colour options
- Less rigid than carbon-fiber reinforced nylon
PAHT-CF
PA6-GF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 190–200°C
Advantages :
- Low moisture absorption compared to standard nylon
- Excellent strength and stiffness
- Strong heat resistance
- Good chemical resistance
- Lightweight and very rigid
Best Applications:
- Parts used in humid or wet environments
- Automotive and engine-bay parts
- Chemical-resistant components
- Outdoor functional parts
- High-performance industrial parts
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost
- Not flexible
- Limited colour options
- Overkill for basic low-stress parts
Flexible Material
TPU
TPU
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 70–80°C
Advantages :
- Flexible and rubber-like
- Available in different hardness levels to match your needs
- Good impact absorption
- Strong grip and softness
- Durable for bending and repeated movement
Best Applications:
- Rubber-like feet and pads
- Grips and handles
- Bumpers and guards
- Flexible covers
- Seals and soft-touch parts
Disadvantages:
- Not rigid
- Not ideal for high-heat parts
- Lower stiffness than engineering materials
- Limited use for precise structural parts
Specialty Materials
PET-CF
PET-CF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 205°C
Advantages :
- Very heat resistant
- Carbon-fiber reinforced
- Strong and stiff
- Low moisture absorption
- Clean matte finish
Best Applications:
- Engine-bay components
- Heat-resistant brackets
- Automotive parts
- Jigs and fixtures
- Strong production parts
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost than PETG or PETG-CF
- Not flexible
- Limited colour options
- Lower heat resistance than PPS-CF or PPA-CF
PPA-CF
PPA-CF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 227°C
Advantages :
- Extremely strong and rigid
- Excellent heat resistance
- Carbon-fiber reinforced
- Great chemical resistance
- Lightweight but very solid
- Metal-like feel and sound
Best Applications:
- High-performance automotive parts
- Engine-bay components
- Aerospace-style parts
- Industrial brackets and mounts
- Strong functional prototypes
Disadvantages:
- Higher cost than everyday materials
- Not flexible
- Limited colour options
- Usually overkill for simple parts
PPS-CF
PPS-CF
Max Temperature Before Deforming:
Around 250°C+
Advantages:
- Extreme heat resistance
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Carbon-fiber reinforced
- Very strong and rigid
- Metal-like feel and sound
Best Applications:
- Engine-bay components
- Chemical-resistant parts
- High-temperature fixtures
- Industrial components
- Metal replacement prototypes
Disadvantages:
- Premium material cost
- Not flexible
- Limited colour options
- Overkill for basic parts