Quick3D 3D printing materials resources
Plain-English guides to 3D printing materials, datasheets and the properties that matter — with live numbers from our database.
- Guide3D printing materials guideA plain-English tour of every major 3D-printing material family, with live ranges from our database and links into the finder.
- GuideFFF, resin, powder and metal: 3D printing processes comparedHow FFF, pellets, resin, PolyJet, SLS, MJF and bound-metal printing work, what each does well, and which materials belong to each.
- GuideHow to choose a 3D printing materialA step-by-step framework: define requirements, shortlist with the finder, sanity-check datasheets, test, and know when to ask for help.
- Datasheet basicsHow to read a technical data sheet (TDS)A plain-English tour of a 3D-printing material datasheet: what each section means, which test conditions matter and the traps to avoid.
- Datasheet basicsTypical vs minimum values on a datasheetWhy most 3D-printing datasheets give typical values, how they differ from minimum values, what ± means, and why you still need a safety factor.
- Datasheet basicsASTM vs ISO test methods: why the numbers differThe common ASTM and ISO test pairs on plastics datasheets, why their results differ, and why you shouldn't compare them one-to-one.
- Datasheet basicsPrint orientation on datasheets: XY, XZ and ZWhy printed parts are stronger in some directions, what XY, XZ and ZX mean on a datasheet, and how to use orientation data in your design.
- Datasheet basicsHDT at 0.45 MPa vs 1.8 MPa explainedWhat heat deflection temperature measures, why the 0.45 MPa value is always higher than the 1.8 MPa one, and why HDT isn't a maximum use temperature.
- Datasheet basicsShore A vs Shore D hardness explainedHow the Shore A and Shore D durometer scales work, where they overlap, and how to read values like 85A and 60D on flexible material datasheets.
- Datasheet basicsHow to compare materials across brands fairlyA practical method for comparing 3D-printing materials from different brands: match the standard, orientation and condition, then test.
- Application guideChoose a material for high-temperature partsWhat really fails when printed parts get hot, which numbers to trust, and how to shortlist heat-resistant filaments, resins and powders.
- Application guideChoose a material for outdoor and UV-exposed partsSunlight, heat and rain age printed parts in predictable ways. Here is how to pick a material, and a finish, that lasts outdoors.
- Application guideChoose a material for flexible partsSeals, grips, bumpers and living hinges need the right softness and stretch. Learn how to read hardness and elongation, then shortlist.
- Application guideChoose a material for food-contact partsWhy no printed part is food-safe by default, what certification really covers, and how to approach food-contact applications responsibly.
- Application guideChoose a material for ESD-safe electronics partsStatic can destroy components without a visible spark. Learn how surface resistivity works and how to pick ESD-safe printed materials.
- Application guideChoose a material for flame-retardant partsWhat UL 94 ratings really prove, why thickness and certification matter, and how to shortlist flame-retardant printed materials.
- Application guideChoose a material for jigs and fixturesJigs and fixtures need stiffness, stability and wear resistance more than raw strength. Here is how to choose and design them.
- Application guideChoose a material for dental and medical partsHow biocompatibility claims work, why they cover a validated workflow rather than a material, and how to approach dental and medical printing.
- Application guideChoose a material for functional prototypesA functional prototype must behave like the final part, not just look like it. Here is how to pick a stand-in material you can trust.
- Application guideChoose a material for end-use partsPrinting parts that ship to customers means thinking about consistency, ageing and certification, not just strength. Here is how to choose.
- Property explainerTensile strengthWhat tensile strength tells you about a 3D-printed part, how it is tested, and how to compare datasheet values without being misled.
- Property explainerYoung’s modulus (stiffness)Young's modulus measures stiffness: how much a material resists stretching. Learn how it is tested and how to compare it fairly.
- Property explainerElongation at breakElongation at break shows how far a material stretches before it snaps. Learn what it says about brittleness and how to compare it.
- Property explainerFlexural strengthFlexural (bending) strength tells you how much bending load a material takes before it breaks or yields. Here is how to read it.
- Property explainerFlexural modulusFlexural modulus is stiffness measured in bending. Learn why it matters for brackets and panels, and how to compare it across datasheets.
- Property explainerImpact strength: Izod vs Charpy, notched vs unnotchedImpact strength shows how well a material survives a sudden blow. Learn the difference between Izod and Charpy, and notched and unnotched.
- Property explainerHeat deflection temperature (HDT)HDT is the temperature at which a loaded plastic bar starts to sag. Learn how it is tested and why the 0.45 and 1.8 MPa loads differ.
- Property explainerGlass transition temperature (Tg)The glass transition temperature is where a plastic turns from rigid to rubbery. Learn how Tg is measured and how it relates to heat resistance.
- Property explainerVicat softening temperatureVicat softening temperature is where a loaded needle sinks into a heated plastic. Learn how it differs from HDT and how to read it.
- Property explainerMelting temperatureMelting temperature applies to semi-crystalline plastics. Learn what it tells you about printing and heat, and why many materials have none.
- Property explainerDensityDensity tells you how heavy a material is for its size. Learn how it affects part weight and filament length, and how to read it.
- Property explainerShore hardnessShore hardness rates how soft or hard a material feels. Learn how Shore A and Shore D work and why printed parts can feel softer.
- Property explainerFlame retardancy (UL 94)UL 94 ratings show whether a plastic stops burning once the flame is removed. Learn what V-0, V-1, V-2 and HB mean and how to read them.
- Property explainerSurface resistivity and ESDSurface resistivity shows how easily charge moves across a material. Learn what makes a material ESD-safe and how to read the numbers.
- Property explainerDielectric strengthDielectric strength is how much voltage a material can block before it breaks down. Learn how it is tested and why thickness matters.
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Start here
- Guide3D printing materials guideA plain-English tour of every major 3D-printing material family, with live ranges from our database and links into the finder.
- Datasheet basicsHow to read a technical data sheet (TDS)A plain-English tour of a 3D-printing material datasheet: what each section means, which test conditions matter and the traps to avoid.
- GuideHow to choose a 3D printing materialA step-by-step framework: define requirements, shortlist with the finder, sanity-check datasheets, test, and know when to ask for help.
- GuideFFF, resin, powder and metal: 3D printing processes comparedHow FFF, pellets, resin, PolyJet, SLS, MJF and bound-metal printing work, what each does well, and which materials belong to each.
- Property explainerHeat deflection temperature (HDT)HDT is the temperature at which a loaded plastic bar starts to sag. Learn how it is tested and why the 0.45 and 1.8 MPa loads differ.
- Datasheet basicsHow to compare materials across brands fairlyA practical method for comparing 3D-printing materials from different brands: match the standard, orientation and condition, then test.
- Application guideChoose a material for high-temperature partsWhat really fails when printed parts get hot, which numbers to trust, and how to shortlist heat-resistant filaments, resins and powders.
- Property explainerTensile strengthWhat tensile strength tells you about a 3D-printed part, how it is tested, and how to compare datasheet values without being misled.
Guides
- Guide3D printing materials guideA plain-English tour of every major 3D-printing material family, with live ranges from our database and links into the finder.
- GuideFFF, resin, powder and metal: 3D printing processes comparedHow FFF, pellets, resin, PolyJet, SLS, MJF and bound-metal printing work, what each does well, and which materials belong to each.
- GuideHow to choose a 3D printing materialA step-by-step framework: define requirements, shortlist with the finder, sanity-check datasheets, test, and know when to ask for help.
Reading datasheets
- Datasheet basicsHow to read a technical data sheet (TDS)A plain-English tour of a 3D-printing material datasheet: what each section means, which test conditions matter and the traps to avoid.
- Datasheet basicsTypical vs minimum values on a datasheetWhy most 3D-printing datasheets give typical values, how they differ from minimum values, what ± means, and why you still need a safety factor.
- Datasheet basicsASTM vs ISO test methods: why the numbers differThe common ASTM and ISO test pairs on plastics datasheets, why their results differ, and why you shouldn't compare them one-to-one.
- Datasheet basicsPrint orientation on datasheets: XY, XZ and ZWhy printed parts are stronger in some directions, what XY, XZ and ZX mean on a datasheet, and how to use orientation data in your design.
- Datasheet basicsHDT at 0.45 MPa vs 1.8 MPa explainedWhat heat deflection temperature measures, why the 0.45 MPa value is always higher than the 1.8 MPa one, and why HDT isn't a maximum use temperature.
- Datasheet basicsShore A vs Shore D hardness explainedHow the Shore A and Shore D durometer scales work, where they overlap, and how to read values like 85A and 60D on flexible material datasheets.
- Datasheet basicsHow to compare materials across brands fairlyA practical method for comparing 3D-printing materials from different brands: match the standard, orientation and condition, then test.
Choose a material for…
- Application guideChoose a material for high-temperature partsWhat really fails when printed parts get hot, which numbers to trust, and how to shortlist heat-resistant filaments, resins and powders.
- Application guideChoose a material for outdoor and UV-exposed partsSunlight, heat and rain age printed parts in predictable ways. Here is how to pick a material, and a finish, that lasts outdoors.
- Application guideChoose a material for flexible partsSeals, grips, bumpers and living hinges need the right softness and stretch. Learn how to read hardness and elongation, then shortlist.
- Application guideChoose a material for food-contact partsWhy no printed part is food-safe by default, what certification really covers, and how to approach food-contact applications responsibly.
- Application guideChoose a material for ESD-safe electronics partsStatic can destroy components without a visible spark. Learn how surface resistivity works and how to pick ESD-safe printed materials.
- Application guideChoose a material for flame-retardant partsWhat UL 94 ratings really prove, why thickness and certification matter, and how to shortlist flame-retardant printed materials.
- Application guideChoose a material for jigs and fixturesJigs and fixtures need stiffness, stability and wear resistance more than raw strength. Here is how to choose and design them.
- Application guideChoose a material for dental and medical partsHow biocompatibility claims work, why they cover a validated workflow rather than a material, and how to approach dental and medical printing.
- Application guideChoose a material for functional prototypesA functional prototype must behave like the final part, not just look like it. Here is how to pick a stand-in material you can trust.
- Application guideChoose a material for end-use partsPrinting parts that ship to customers means thinking about consistency, ageing and certification, not just strength. Here is how to choose.
Properties
- Property explainerTensile strengthWhat tensile strength tells you about a 3D-printed part, how it is tested, and how to compare datasheet values without being misled.
- Property explainerYoung’s modulus (stiffness)Young's modulus measures stiffness: how much a material resists stretching. Learn how it is tested and how to compare it fairly.
- Property explainerElongation at breakElongation at break shows how far a material stretches before it snaps. Learn what it says about brittleness and how to compare it.
- Property explainerFlexural strengthFlexural (bending) strength tells you how much bending load a material takes before it breaks or yields. Here is how to read it.
- Property explainerFlexural modulusFlexural modulus is stiffness measured in bending. Learn why it matters for brackets and panels, and how to compare it across datasheets.
- Property explainerImpact strength: Izod vs Charpy, notched vs unnotchedImpact strength shows how well a material survives a sudden blow. Learn the difference between Izod and Charpy, and notched and unnotched.
- Property explainerHeat deflection temperature (HDT)HDT is the temperature at which a loaded plastic bar starts to sag. Learn how it is tested and why the 0.45 and 1.8 MPa loads differ.
- Property explainerGlass transition temperature (Tg)The glass transition temperature is where a plastic turns from rigid to rubbery. Learn how Tg is measured and how it relates to heat resistance.
- Property explainerVicat softening temperatureVicat softening temperature is where a loaded needle sinks into a heated plastic. Learn how it differs from HDT and how to read it.
- Property explainerMelting temperatureMelting temperature applies to semi-crystalline plastics. Learn what it tells you about printing and heat, and why many materials have none.
- Property explainerDensityDensity tells you how heavy a material is for its size. Learn how it affects part weight and filament length, and how to read it.
- Property explainerShore hardnessShore hardness rates how soft or hard a material feels. Learn how Shore A and Shore D work and why printed parts can feel softer.
- Property explainerFlame retardancy (UL 94)UL 94 ratings show whether a plastic stops burning once the flame is removed. Learn what V-0, V-1, V-2 and HB mean and how to read them.
- Property explainerSurface resistivity and ESDSurface resistivity shows how easily charge moves across a material. Learn what makes a material ESD-safe and how to read the numbers.
- Property explainerDielectric strengthDielectric strength is how much voltage a material can block before it breaks down. Learn how it is tested and why thickness matters.
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