Choose the Right Material
FDM Material Selection Chart
Material
Best For
Strength
Heat Res.
Outdoor
Chem Res.
Finish
Typical Applications
PLA
Prototype
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Excellent
Concept models, display parts, mockups
PLA Pro / Tough PLA
Functional
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Excellent
Prototype housings, brackets, fixtures
PETG
Functional
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Very Good
Brackets, enclosures, jigs, covers
PETG-HF
Functional
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Very Good
Production parts, fixtures, prototypes
ABS
Functional
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Good
Enclosures, automotive parts, housings
ASA
Outdoor
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Good
Outdoor housings, automotive parts, equipment covers
ASA+
OutdoorHigh Strength
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Good
Outdoor fixtures, automotive components
PC (Polycarbonate)
High StrengthHigh Temperature
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Good
Machine components, brackets, structural parts
PC-ABS
High Strength
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Good
Automotive, industrial housings, equipment parts
Nylon (PA)
High Strength
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Good
Gears, bushings, functional mechanisms
PA-CF
High Strength
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Excellent
Jigs, fixtures, brackets, structural components
PA-GF
High Strength
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Excellent
Industrial fixtures, tooling, machine components
PET-CF
High Strength
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Excellent
Fixtures, tooling, structural components
PPS-CF
High Temperature
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Excellent
Aerospace, automotive, chemical equipment
PEEK
High Temperature
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Excellent
Aerospace, medical, high-temperature machinery
PEI / ULTEM
High Temperature
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Excellent
Aerospace, electronics, industrial applications
TPU
Flexible
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Flexible
Seals, gaskets, feet, grips, protective parts
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