Materials
Material Options
Thingsmiths maintains a library of diverse material options for every need. From MJF Nylon12 to basic PLA, we can match a suitable material to suit your project. Not sure what material option is best for you? We’re here to help you select the best fit.
HP MJF Materials
Benefits: High strength and durability, consistent mechanical properties in all directions, excellent for functional and end-use parts, no support structures required, efficient for batch production.
Nylon 12 (PA12)
- Properties: Strong, stiff, durable, good chemical resistance, moderate heat resistance
- Best Applications: Functional parts, enclosures, brackets, housings, mechanical components
Nylon 11 (PA11)
- Properties: Tough, ductile, high impact resistance, more flexible than PA12, good chemical resistance
- Best Applications: Snap fits, living hinges, impact-resistant parts, flexible functional components
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
- Properties: Highly flexible, elastic, excellent impact resistance, good abrasion resistance
- Best Applications: Gaskets, seals, wearables, protective components, vibration-dampening parts
FDM Materials
Benefits: Cost-effective, wide material selection, suitable for large parts, strong functional components, accessible for rapid prototyping and production.
ABS
- Properties: Strong, impact-resistant, moderate stiffness, heat-resistant (~105°C)
- Best Applications: Functional prototypes, housings, automotive components
ASA
- Properties: Similar to ABS, good impact resistance, UV-stable, heat-resistant (~100°C), low deformation outdoors
- Best Applications: Outdoor parts, signage, automotive exterior components
Nylon
- Properties: Very tough, flexible, wear-resistant, heat-resistant (~120°C), prone to moisture absorption
- Best Applications: Gears, bushings, mechanical parts, functional prototypes
Polycarbonate (PC)
- Properties: Very strong, high impact resistance, stiff, high heat resistance (~110–140°C), low deformation
- Best Applications: Engineering prototypes, high-strength functional parts
TPU/TPE
- Properties: Highly flexible, elastic, good impact resistance, moderate heat resistance (~80°C)
- Best Applications: Flexible parts, gaskets, wearables, vibration-dampening components
Polypropylene (PP)
- Properties: Lightweight, flexible, chemical-resistant, moderate heat resistance (~100°C)
- Best Applications: Containers, living hinges, chemical-resistant components
Carbon-Fiber Filaments
- Properties: Increased stiffness, strong, lightweight, high thermal resistance (~200°C+ depending on base material)
- Best Applications: Structural parts, high-performance functional prototypes, aerospace components
Glass-Filled Filaments
- Properties: Increased stiffness, high strength, wear-resistant
- Best Applications: Structural components, mechanical parts, high-strength prototypes
Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
- Properties: Very high heat resistance (~260°C), strong, chemically resistant, stiff
- Best Applications: High-temperature mechanical parts, automotive under-the-hood components, industrial applications
PEEK
- Properties: Extremely high heat resistance (~250–300°C), very strong, chemically resistant, stiff
- Best Applications: Aerospace, medical implants, high-performance industrial components
PET
- Properties: Very strong, stiff, wear-resistant, high heat resistance (~200°C+)
- Best Applications: Structural and high-performance mechanical parts, functional prototypes requiring high stiffness and thermal stability
PCTG
- Properties: Similar to PETG, but significantly stronger. Strong, flexible, moderate impact resistance, heat-resistant (~80°C)
- Best Applications: Functional parts, mechanical components, containers
PETG
- Properties: Strong, flexible, moderate impact resistance, heat-resistant (~80°C)
- Best Applications: Functional parts, mechanical components, containers
PLA
- Properties: Stiff, low impact resistance, brittle, low heat resistance (~60°C).
- Best Applications: Visual prototypes, non-functional parts, low-stress models.
Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO)
- Properties: Strong, stiff, heat-resistant (~140°C), good chemical and radiation resistance
- Best Applications: Aerospace components, automotive parts, high-strength functional prototypes
Metal-Infused Filaments
- Properties: Composite with metal powders, increased density and stiffness (Tungsten, Bronze, Steel, Copper)
- Best Applications: Decorative metal-like prints, functional parts with added weight, prototypes simulating metal components
Flame-Retardant Filaments
- Properties: Self-extinguishing, high heat resistance, strong
- Best Applications: Electrical housings, safety-critical parts, industrial applications
ESD-Safe Filament
- Properties: Conductive or dissipative, prevents electrostatic buildup, moderate strength and heat resistance
- Best Applications: Electronics enclosures, anti-static tools, sensitive component housings
Polycast Filament
- Properties: High wax content, easy burnout for investment casting
- Best Applications: Small and large, low-detail metal casting
Foaming PLA
- Properties: Lightweight, slightly flexible, soft texture, low thermal resistance
- Best Applications: Prototypes, soft-touch models, artistic and tactile designs
Antimicrobial Filament
- Properties: Embedded antimicrobial agents, resistant to bacterial growth, standard mechanical and thermal properties of base material
- Best Applications: Medical devices, food-handling tools, high-touch surfaces
Wood-Filled Filament
- Properties: Composite with wood particles, stiff, lightweight, low heat resistance
- Best Applications: Decorative items, furniture models, artistic prints
SLA Materials
Benefits: Extremely high detail and accuracy, smooth surface finish, wide range of specialized resins, ideal for complex geometries and fine features.
Standard Resin
- Properties: High detail, smooth finish, general-purpose
- Best Applications: Visual prototypes, concept models, design validation
Durable Resin
- Properties: Low friction, high ductility, mimics polyethylene (PE)
- Best Applications: Parts requiring smooth movement, bushings, sliding components
Tough 1000 Resin
- Properties: Ductile, impact-resistant material with comparable strength, stiffness, and toughness to high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Best Applications: Low-friction parts, mechanisms that require repeated flexing
Tough 1500 Resin
- Properties: Flexible, high impact resistance, simulates polypropylene (PP)
- Best Applications: Snap fits, clips, thin-walled parts
Tough 2000 Resin
- Properties: Stronger and stiffer than Tough 1500, similar to ABS
- Best Applications: Functional prototypes, mechanical components
Clear Resin
- Properties: Transparent, smooth surface finish, can be polished to near optical clarity
- Best Applications: Optics, light pipes, fluidic models
Rigid 4000 Resin
- Properties: Glass-filled, high stiffness, polishable
- Best Applications: Thin walls, precision parts requiring minimal flex
Rigid 10K Resin
- Properties: Very high stiffness, heat-resistant
- Best Applications: Industrial applications, molds, fixtures under load
Elastic 50A Resin
- Properties: Highly stretchable, rubber-like
- Best Applications: Wearables, gaskets, parts requiring repeated deformation
Flexible 80A Resin
- Properties: Soft-touch, moderate flexibility
- Best Applications: Grips, seals, ergonomic features
Flame-Retardant Resin
- Properties: UL-rated, resists ignition, slows flame spread
- Best Applications: Safety-critical components, electronics housings
High-Temp Resin
- Properties: Extreme heat resistance, brittle
- Best Applications: Molds, thermal testing, parts exposed to high temperatures
ESD-Safe Resin
- Properties: Electrostatic dissipative
- Best Applications: Electronics manufacturing environments