Quick3D 3D printing materials guide
A plain-English tour of every major 3D-printing material family, with live ranges from our database and links into the finder.
There are hundreds of 3D-printing materials, but most of them belong to a small number of families. Learn the families and the choice becomes much simpler. This guide covers every family with at least three materials in the hub.
Key takeaways
- Most 3D-printing materials fall into a small number of families.
- Use the comparison table to spot families that fit, then read those sections.
- Live ranges mix grades, reinforcements and test methods, so treat them as a map.
- Printed parts rarely match the datasheet exactly; orientation, settings and post-processing matter.
How to use this guide
Start with the comparison table to see which families fit your part. Then read the sections that look promising. Each one explains what the material is, where it shines, where it struggles and what people usually make with it. The ranges you see are drawn live from our database, so they update as we add materials.
Watch out
Two cautions. First, ranges mix grades, reinforcements and test methods, so treat them as a map rather than a specification. Second, a printed part rarely matches its datasheet exactly. Orientation, settings and post-processing all matter. Our guides on reading a datasheet and print orientation explain why.
| Family | Strength | Heat resistance | Flexibility | Ease of printing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Medium | Low | Low | High |
| PETG and copolyesters | Medium | Low–Medium | Low–Medium | High |
| ABS, ASA and HIPS | Medium | Medium | Low–Medium | Medium |
| TPU | Low–Medium | Low | High | Medium |
| Nylon (PA6, PA11, PA12) | Medium–High | Medium–High | Medium | Medium–Low |
| Polycarbonate and blends | High | Medium–High | Low–Medium | Low |
| Polypropylene | Low–Medium | Low–Medium | Medium–High | Low |
| High-performance polymers | High | High | Low | Low |
| PVB | Medium | Low | Low | High |
| Standard resins | Medium | Low | Low | High |
| Engineering resins | Medium–High | Medium–High | Low–Medium | Medium |
| Flexible resins | Low | Low | High | Medium |
| Bound metals | High | High | Low | Low |
- PLA 3448–137
- PETG 3158–85
- ABS 1970–118.1
- ASA 987–100
- PA12 1746–165
- PC 1499–163
- PEI 13152–215.12
- PEEK 11140–305
Bar = lowest to highest, dot = median. 148 materials, live from our database.
Good to know
This chart pools heat deflection values measured at both the 0.45 MPa and 1.8 MPa loads, plus annealed and as-printed grades. Use it to see rough positions, not exact limits.
- PLA 3118–56
- PETG 1717.9–105
- ABS 2024.3–68
- TPU 198–60
- PA12 1033.4–120
- PC 1236.1–73
- PEEK 1370–145
Bar = lowest to highest, dot = median. 122 materials, live from our database.
PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) is a bio-based thermoplastic and the default filament for most desktop printers. It prints at modest temperatures, barely warps and gives crisp detail.
It is stiff and reasonably strong, but brittle compared with other families, and it softens not far above body temperature. A part left in a hot car can sag. Some grades can be annealed for better heat resistance, at the cost of some shrinkage. Tough and fibre-filled versions exist.
Typical uses: concept models, visual prototypes, display pieces, light-duty jigs and education.
Tensile strength in our data: 18–56 MPa (median 42 MPa, 34 materials). Heat deflection temperature: 48–137 °C (median 55 °C, 34 materials) (annealed and as-printed values are mixed).
See all PLA materials 35 materials
PETG and copolyesters
PETG is a glycol-modified polyester, close in chemistry to drinks bottles. Related grades in the hub include PET, PCTG and CPE. They are tougher and less brittle than PLA, with good chemical resistance and low warping.
Heat resistance is only a little better than PLA. PETG can string and stick too well to some build surfaces. Carbon- and glass-filled versions add stiffness.
Typical uses: functional brackets, enclosures, guards, containers and parts that see moisture or mild chemicals.
Tensile strength for PETG: 17.9–105 MPa (median 50 MPa, 30 materials). Elongation at break: 2.2–168 % (median 8 %, 32 materials).
See all PETG materials 34 materials
ABS, ASA and HIPS
These are styrene-based plastics. ABS is the classic tough, impact-resistant plastic used in moulded consumer products. ASA swaps in a different rubber phase that holds up much better in sunlight. HIPS is similar but is often used as a dissolvable support for ABS.
They handle more heat than PLA or PETG and can be smoothed with solvent vapour. The trade-off is warping and fumes. An enclosed, heated chamber and good ventilation help a lot.
Typical uses: housings, automotive interior parts, outdoor fittings (ASA) and end-use parts that need toughness.
Heat deflection temperature for ABS: 70–118.1 °C (median 97 °C, 19 materials). For ASA: 87–100 °C (median 97 °C, 9 materials).
See all ASA materials 11 materials
TPU
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a rubber-like elastomer. It stretches, recovers its shape and resists abrasion. Grades are sold by hardness, usually on the Shore A scale; see Shore A vs Shore D.
Softer grades are harder to print. They prefer a direct-drive extruder, slow speeds and dry filament. TPU is also available as powder for SLS and MJF.
Typical uses: seals, gaskets, grips, bumpers, phone cases, footwear parts and vibration dampers.
Elongation at break for TPU: 15–2,000 % (median 550.6 %, 30 materials). Tensile strength: 8–60 MPa (median 23 MPa, 28 materials).
See all TPU materials 31 materials
Nylon (PA6, PA11, PA12)
Polyamides, or nylons, are tough, wear-resistant engineering plastics with low friction. PA12 and PA11 absorb less moisture and are the main powder-bed materials. PA6 is stiffer and handles more heat but takes up more water. PA11 is made from castor oil and is known for ductility.
All nylons absorb moisture. Dry filament before printing, and remember that properties shift as parts take up water from the air. Carbon- and glass-filled nylons are among the most popular engineering filaments.
Typical uses: gears, bearings, snap fits, jigs and fixtures, ducting and end-use mechanical parts.
Tensile strength for PA12: 31–120 MPa (median 47 MPa, 17 materials). Heat deflection for PA6: 90–200 °C (median 147 °C, 13 materials).
See all PA12 materials 18 materials
Polycarbonate and blends
Polycarbonate (PC) is strong, tough and handles heat well. Blends such as PC/ABS trade a little heat resistance for easier printing and better impact behaviour.
PC prints hot, warps readily and absorbs moisture. It needs a heated enclosure and a well-prepared bed. It can also be sensitive to some solvents and to stress cracking.
Typical uses: functional housings, guards, light-transmitting covers, tooling and parts that run warm.
Heat deflection temperature for PC: 99–163 °C (median 131 °C, 14 materials). Tensile strength for PC/ABS: 34.7–62 MPa (median 50.1 MPa, 7 materials).
See all PC materials 14 materials
Polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP) is light, chemically resistant and fatigue-resistant. It is the material of living hinges and many lab containers.
It is hard to print. It shrinks a lot and does not stick to most build surfaces, so it usually needs PP tape or a dedicated sheet. Fibre-filled grades warp less.
Typical uses: living hinges, chemical-handling parts, clips and lightweight housings.
Elongation at break for PP: 1.5–642 % (median 13 %, 17 materials). Density: 0.81–1.12 g/cm³ (median 0.99 g/cm³, 16 materials).
See all PP materials 17 materials
High-performance polymers
This group covers PEEK, PEKK, PEI, PPSU, PSU and PPS. They keep their strength at high temperatures, resist many chemicals and often have inherent flame resistance.
They need a printer with a very hot nozzle and a heated chamber. PEEK and PEKK are semi-crystalline, so their final properties depend on how the part cools or is annealed. Material cost is high, so they make sense only when lower-cost families cannot do the job.
Typical uses: aerospace and transport interiors, under-bonnet parts, high-temperature tooling and parts exposed to aggressive fluids.
Heat deflection for PEI: 152–215.12 °C (median 200 °C, 13 materials). For PEEK: 140–305 °C (median 200 °C, 11 materials).
See all high-performance materials 58 materials
PVB
PVB (polyvinyl butyral) prints much like PLA but can be smoothed with isopropyl alcohol vapour for a glossy finish. Some grades are designed to burn out cleanly for investment casting.
Its heat resistance is low, so it suits appearance parts and casting patterns rather than load-bearing parts.
Tensile strength in our data: 51–53.2 MPa (median 51.8 MPa, 3 materials).
See all PVB materials 3 materials
Standard resins
Standard photopolymer resins are liquids that harden under UV light in SLA, DLP and LCD printers. They give smooth surfaces and fine detail that filament cannot match.
They tend to be brittle and lose stiffness with heat. Parts must be washed and post-cured, and uncured resin should be handled with gloves.
Typical uses: visual models, miniatures, presentation prototypes and moulding masters.
Tensile strength: 11–80 MPa (median 42.42 MPa, 66 materials).
See standard resins 67 materials
Engineering resins
Engineering resins are formulated to imitate the behaviour of moulded plastics: tough ABS-like, durable PP-like, rigid glass-filled or high-temperature grades.
They narrow the gap with thermoplastics but do not close it. Long-term creep and UV ageing still need checking. Post-curing has a big effect on final properties, so follow the maker’s schedule.
Typical uses: functional prototypes, snap fits, housings, heat-exposed test parts and small tooling.
Heat deflection temperature: 41–250 °C (median 60 °C, 57 materials).
See engineering resins 64 materials
Flexible and elastic resins
These resins cure to rubber-like solids, from soft and stretchy to firm. They suit detailed soft parts that would be hard to print in TPU.
Tear strength is usually lower than in moulded rubber, and soft parts need careful support placement.
Typical uses: seals, soft-touch prototypes, cushioning lattices and anatomical models.
Elongation at break: 35–391 % (median 150 %, 29 materials).
See flexible resins 30 materials
Specialty resins
This group includes dental, castable, high-detail, ceramic-filled and other purpose-built resins. Each is designed around one job, so compare them on the property that job depends on.
Watch out
Dental and medical grades are certified only for a specific grade, printer and workflow. Your parts must still be validated for their use. See dental and medical.
Specialty resins in the hub: 57.
See specialty resins 57 materials
Metals
Bound-metal filaments contain fine metal powder held in a polymer binder. You print a part, remove the binder, then sinter it in a furnace into solid metal. Stainless steels, tool steels, copper and nickel alloys are all available.
Parts shrink during sintering, so design rules are stricter than for plastics. Final properties depend on the sintering cycle and are usually a little below wrought metal.
Typical uses: tooling inserts, brackets, low-volume metal parts and fixtures.
Tensile strength after sintering: 193–1,540 MPa (median 877.5 MPa, 6 materials).
See all metal materials 7 materials
Where to go next
To see how each process shapes these materials, read the process guide. To turn your requirements into a shortlist, use choosing a material.
Browse all filaments 270 materials
Browse all resins 223 materials