Material selector

The most common machining aluminum. Easy to cut, ideal for housings, brackets and fixtures.

Tensile

310 MPa

Temp.

150 °C

Density

2.70 g/cm³

Cost

• Lightweight
• Anodizable
• Corrosion-resistant

Strength close to steel, for load-bearing parts, drones and sports gear.

Tensile

570 MPa

Temp.

120 °C

Density

2.81 g/cm³

Cost

• Lightweight
• Anodizable

General-purpose corrosion-resistant steel for food equipment, outdoor parts and fasteners.

Tensile

515 MPa

Temp.

400+ °C

Density

7.93 g/cm³

Cost

• Food-safe
• Corrosion-resistant

Resists seawater and chemicals. Used in medical devices, marine and chemical environments.

Tensile

485 MPa

Temp.

400+ °C

Density

7.98 g/cm³

Cost

• Food-safe
• Medical
• Corrosion-resistant

Can be quenched and tempered. For shafts, gears and wear parts; needs rust protection.

Tensile

600 MPa

Temp.

400+ °C

Density

7.85 g/cm³

Cost

Free-machining. For fittings, valves, decorative parts and electrical terminals.

Tensile

380 MPa

Temp.

200 °C

Density

8.40 g/cm³

Cost

• Conductive
• Corrosion-resistant

Best electrical and thermal conductivity, for heat sinks, electrodes and busbars.

Tensile

220 MPa

Temp.

200 °C

Density

8.90 g/cm³

Cost

• Conductive

Exceptional strength-to-weight and biocompatible. For implants, aerospace and high-end structures.

Tensile

895 MPa

Temp.

400+ °C

Density

4.43 g/cm³

Cost

• Lightweight
• Medical
• Corrosion-resistant

Wear-resistant and dimensionally stable. For gears, sliders, snap fits and bushings.

Tensile

65 MPa

Temp.

100 °C

Density

1.41 g/cm³

Cost

• Self-lubricating

Top-tier engineering plastic with high heat and chemical resistance. Used in semiconductors, medical and as a metal replacement.

Tensile

100 MPa

Temp.

250 °C

Density

1.30 g/cm³

Cost

• Food-safe
• Medical
• Flame-retardant
• Corrosion-resistant

Cheap and easy to machine. For appearance models and functional prototypes.

Tensile

40 MPa

Temp.

80 °C

Density

1.05 g/cm³

Cost

Impact-resistant and transparent. For guards, lamp covers and windows.

Tensile

65 MPa

Temp.

120 °C

Density

1.20 g/cm³

Cost

• Transparent
• Flame-retardant

High light transmission and polishes to a mirror finish. For displays, light guides and panels.

Tensile

70 MPa

Temp.

80 °C

Density

1.19 g/cm³

Cost

• Transparent

Tough and wear-resistant. For washers, rollers and structural parts.

Tensile

80 MPa

Temp.

120 °C

Density

1.14 g/cm³

Cost

• Self-lubricating

Smooth surface and about ±0.1 mm accuracy. For appearance models and fit checks.

Tensile

50 MPa

Temp.

50 °C

Density

1.15 g/cm³

Cost

Hard to break. For snap fits, hinges and other parts that need to flex.

Tensile

40 MPa

Temp.

55 °C

Density

1.12 g/cm³

Cost

Near-transparent after sanding and polishing. For flow visualization and lamp cover prototypes.

Tensile

55 MPa

Temp.

50 °C

Density

1.17 g/cm³

Cost

• Transparent

Heat deflection up to 200 °C. For mold validation and hot-air testing.

Tensile

60 MPa

Temp.

200 °C

Density

1.20 g/cm³

Cost

No supports needed, so complex shapes print easily. Good for low-volume functional parts.

Tensile

48 MPa

Temp.

175 °C

Density

1.01 g/cm³

Cost

• Lightweight

Stiffer with less warping. For brackets, jigs and fixtures.

Tensile

51 MPa

Temp.

170 °C

Density

1.30 g/cm³

Cost

Rubber-like elasticity for seals, dampers and footwear prototypes.

Tensile

9 MPa

Temp.

80 °C

Density

1.20 g/cm³

Cost

• Flexible

Lowest cost. For concept models and large rough prototypes.

Tensile

50 MPa

Temp.

55 °C

Density

1.24 g/cm³

Cost

Tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA. For simple functional parts.

Tensile

50 MPa

Temp.

70 °C

Density

1.27 g/cm³

Cost

• Corrosion-resistant

Internal channels and topology-optimized shapes that machining can't produce.

Tensile

550 MPa

Temp.

400+ °C

Density

7.90 g/cm³

Cost

• Corrosion-resistant
• Medical

Lightweight metal printing for heat sinks, aerospace brackets and conformal cooling.

Tensile

400 MPa

Temp.

200 °C

Density

2.67 g/cm³

Cost

• Lightweight