3D printing materials, compared.

ASA is our best FDM choice for full sun and weather: it resists UV and softens only around 100 °C. PETG is fine outdoors for most parts. For tough end-use parts, MJF or SLS nylon also do well outside. Avoid PLA and standard resin outdoors.

On our FDM printers, about ±0.2–0.3 mm on most features; holes print slightly small, so tell us the fit you need. For MJF, SLS, metal and industrial FDM we quote about ±0.3 mm or ±0.4 % of the size, whichever is larger, and for resin about ±0.2 mm or ±0.3 %.

PEEK has the highest long-term rating of our plastics (about 240 °C). At low load, CF-nylon PAHT-CF (about 194 °C), MJF nylon PA12 (about 175 °C) and SLS nylon PA12 (about 145–157 °C) hold their shape best. PLA softens around 57 °C, PETG around 69 °C, ABS around 87 °C and ASA around 100 °C. All figures are the makers’ heat deflection temperatures at 0.45 MPa unless the card says otherwise. Stainless steel and titanium do not soften in normal use.

Both fuse nylon 12 powder without supports. MJF parts are grey, a little denser and very consistent from part to part, which suits production runs. SLS parts are white with a slightly more powdery surface; the glass-filled grade is stiffer and more heat-stable.

No. They are typical values from the material makers’ datasheets for the raw material, rewritten in plain words (each card links to the datasheet). A printed part also depends on its design, wall thickness, print direction and settings. If a value matters, tell us and we will help you test a sample first. See “Values and suitable use” above.

No. We don’t make weapons, weapon parts (including imitation firearms) or export-controlled items, and we refuse or cancel orders for them.