OJTECH

MATERIALS BY PROCESS

3D Printing Materials

Choose the printing process and build orientation together; a familiar material name does not guarantee bulk-material behavior.

See material options
3D printing material selection

01 · PRACTICAL ANSWER

What should you decide first?

Use printed ABS or nylon for functional prototypes, resin processes for fine detail, and metal powder-bed fusion when geometry or consolidation creates value. Treat printed properties as process-, orientation- and post-treatment-specific; do not substitute bulk datasheet values.

02 · ENGINEERING CHECKPOINTS

Four decisions before the grade.

These questions usually eliminate unsuitable material families faster than comparing long property tables.

01

Process first

FDM, SLS, SLA and metal powder-bed processes produce different accuracy, texture and material behavior.

02

Build direction

Layer orientation changes strength, surface finish, support marks and critical-feature accuracy.

03

Post-processing

Heat treatment, infiltration, dye, blasting and machining can be part of the material specification.

04

Qualification

For critical parts, define coupon testing, lot traceability and acceptance data with the supplier.

03 · AVAILABLE MATERIALS

Practical starting options.

Availability still depends on grade, stock form, geometry, quantity and certification.

MetalAluminum

The practical first choice when low weight, fast machining and a clean anodized finish matter.

6061-T6 · 6082-T6 · 7075-T6MetalStainless Steel

Choose it for corrosion resistance, durable surfaces and parts that must remain strong in demanding service.

303 · 304 / 304L · 316 / 316LMetalTitanium

Premium strength-to-weight, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility for critical parts.

Grade 2 · Grade 5 / Ti-6Al-4V · Grade 9MetalInconel & Nickel Alloys

For hot, corrosive and highly loaded environments where common stainless steels reach their limit.

Inconel 625 · Inconel 718 · Inconel 600Engineering plasticPEEK

A high-performance plastic for heat, chemicals, wear and metal-replacement applications.

Unfilled PEEK · 30% glass-filled PEEK · 30% carbon-filled PEEKEngineering plasticNylon

Tough, wear resistant and economical for gears, rollers and moving mechanical parts.

PA6 · PA66 · PA12Engineering plasticPolycarbonate

A tough, transparent plastic for impact-resistant guards, covers and functional prototypes.

Machine-grade PC · Optical-grade PC · Glass-filled PCEngineering plasticABS

An economical, impact-tough plastic for prototypes, housings and non-critical production parts.

Machine-grade ABS · FR ABS · ABS-ESDEngineering plasticPEI / Ultem

High heat, dimensional stability and flame performance in a strong amber engineering plastic.

Ultem 1000 · Ultem 2100 · Ultem 2300

04 · DRAWING NOTE

Write the requirement, not only the material name.

  1. 01 Grade and condition
  2. 02 Critical dimensions and datums
  3. 03 Finish and cosmetic surfaces
  4. 04 Certificate and compliance needs