FDM Material Atlas

Compare material behavior, process needs, and evidence.

Material atlas

Browse validated material families

Search all validated materials, then filter by the properties and process requirements that matter to your printer and use case.

23 material families in this reference.

Process and equipment
Behavior and properties

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Matching materials (23)

  1. PLA

    PLA

    Practical service guidance
    40–50 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 55 °C
    Print difficulty
    Easy
    Relative cost
    Low
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Optional
    Ventilation
    Standard room

    Typical uses: Prototypes, rigid indoor fixtures, models

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  2. PLA+ / Tough PLA

    Modified PLA

    Practical service guidance
    45–55 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 58 °C
    Print difficulty
    Easy
    Relative cost
    Medium
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Optional
    Ventilation
    Standard room

    Typical uses: General indoor functional parts where heat is limited

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  3. PETG

    Copolyester

    Practical service guidance
    60–70 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 69 °C
    Print difficulty
    Easy
    Relative cost
    Medium
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Recommended
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Electronics enclosures, brackets, utility parts

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  4. PCTG

    Copolyester

    Practical service guidance
    70–80 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 76 °C
    Print difficulty
    Moderate
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Recommended
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Tough PETG-like functional parts, impact-loaded parts

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  5. ABS

    Styrenic thermoplastic

    Practical service guidance
    75–90 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 100 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    Low
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Optional
    Ventilation
    Local exhaust

    Typical uses: Engineering parts, warmer environments, housings

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  6. ASA

    UV-stable styrenic

    Practical service guidance
    80–95 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 103 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    Medium
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Optional
    Ventilation
    Local exhaust

    Typical uses: Outdoor parts, automotive exterior, weather exposure

    11 public evidence records across 5 scopes

    Open material reference

  7. TPU 95A

    Flexible polyurethane

    Practical service guidance
    60–80 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Melting point/range: 153 °C
    Print difficulty
    Moderate
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Bumpers, feet, seals, vibration isolation, flexible couplers

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  8. Nylon / PA6

    Polyamide 6

    Practical service guidance
    80–100 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Melting point/range: 220 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Critical
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Gears, bushings, clips, sliding parts, mechanisms

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  9. PA12 Nylon

    Polyamide 12

    Practical service guidance
    80–100 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Melting point/range: 178 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    Premium
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Critical
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Wear parts needing better dimensional stability than PA6

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  10. PA-CF

    Carbon-fiber polyamide; base grade varies

    Practical service guidance
    100–140 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 215 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    Premium
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Required
    Drying
    Critical
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Rigid structural brackets, fixtures, machine components

    13 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  11. Polycarbonate (PC)

    Polycarbonate

    Practical service guidance
    100–120 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 111 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Local exhaust

    Typical uses: High-load, high-impact, elevated-temperature parts

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  12. PC-CF

    Carbon-fiber polycarbonate

    Practical service guidance
    110–140 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 114 °C
    Print difficulty
    Expert
    Relative cost
    Premium
    Enclosure
    Required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Required
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Local exhaust

    Typical uses: Very rigid engineering parts with high heat/load requirements

    12 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  13. Polypropylene (PP)

    Polyolefin

    Practical service guidance
    80–100 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Vicat softening: 116 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Optional
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Living hinges, chemical-resistant parts, repeated flexing

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  14. PEI / Ultem

    Polyetherimide

    Practical service guidance
    160–200 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Glass transition (Tg): 217 °C
    Print difficulty
    Expert
    Relative cost
    Premium
    Enclosure
    Required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Specialized controls

    Typical uses: High-temperature aerospace and industrial components

    11 public evidence records across 5 scopes

    Open material reference

  15. PEEK

    Polyether ether ketone

    Practical service guidance
    200–250 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Glass transition (Tg): 143 °C
    Print difficulty
    Expert
    Relative cost
    Premium
    Enclosure
    Required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Specialized controls

    Typical uses: Extreme-temperature, chemical, medical and industrial applications

    11 public evidence records across 5 scopes

    Open material reference

  16. PLA-CF

    Carbon-fiber PLA

    Practical service guidance
    40–50 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 55 °C
    Print difficulty
    Easy
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Required
    Drying
    Recommended
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Stiff, dimensionally stable brackets, fixtures and matte cosmetic parts

    12 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  17. Copper-filled PLA

    Copper-powder PLA composite

    Practical service guidance
    40–50 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Glass transition (Tg): 60 °C
    Print difficulty
    Moderate
    Relative cost
    Premium
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Recommended
    Drying
    Optional
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Heavy decorative pieces, polished metallic finishes, sculptures and props

    12 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  18. PETG-CF

    Carbon-fiber PETG

    Practical service guidance
    55–65 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 70 °C
    Print difficulty
    Moderate
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Required
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Dimensionally stable fixtures, housings and matte technical parts

    13 public evidence records across 5 scopes

    Open material reference

  19. Wood-filled PLA

    Wood-particle PLA composite

    Practical service guidance
    40–50 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Glass transition (Tg): 60 °C
    Print difficulty
    Moderate
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Recommended
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Decor, models, props and sandable wood-like finishes

    12 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  20. HIPS

    High-impact polystyrene / support

    Practical service guidance
    65–80 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 88 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    Medium
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Optional
    Ventilation
    Local exhaust

    Typical uses: Dissolvable support for ABS in limonene; lightweight models and housings

    11 public evidence records across 5 scopes

    Open material reference

  21. PVA / BVOH

    Water-soluble support polymer

    Practical service guidance
    35–45 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Glass transition (Tg): 60 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    Premium
    Enclosure
    Not required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Critical
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Water-soluble support for complex multi-material prints

    11 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference

  22. CPE

    Copolyester

    Practical service guidance
    55–70 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Vicat softening: 77 °C
    Print difficulty
    Advanced
    Relative cost
    High
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Not required
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Good ventilation

    Typical uses: Chemical-resistant functional parts, containers and technical prototypes

    11 public evidence records across 5 scopes

    Open material reference

  23. PPS-CF

    Carbon-fiber polyphenylene sulfide

    Practical service guidance
    180–200 °C
    Named thermal observation
    Heat deflection temperature (HDT): 252.5 °C
    Print difficulty
    Expert
    Relative cost
    Premium
    Enclosure
    Required
    Wear-resistant nozzle
    Required
    Drying
    Required
    Ventilation
    Specialized controls

    Typical uses: High-temperature chemical, electrical and industrial components

    13 public evidence records across 4 scopes

    Open material reference