Compare common injection molding materials across performance, appearance, chemical resistance, and cost so you can choose a better fit for prototype and production parts.
Use ABS, PP, PE, and polystyrene when cost, speed, and general-purpose performance matter more than extreme heat or structural load.
Use PC, nylon, acetal, and filled engineering grades when you need better toughness, stiffness, wear performance, or dimensional control.
Use PEEK, PEI, PPS, and similar materials when projects must handle elevated temperature, aggressive chemicals, or demanding mechanical loads.
Use TPE, TPU, TPV, and LSR for seals, overmolded grips, soft-touch components, and parts that need flexibility or compression recovery.
On the official catalog page, materials are filtered by type and then compared by details such as color availability, flame rating, and key performance tags. In practice, most projects narrow the list quickly by answering a few questions first.
This condensed table focuses on widely used materials that are often shortlisted first during quoting and early DFM review.
| Material | Best For | Advantages | Tradeoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | General-purpose housings and consumer parts | Good impact resistance, easy finishing, cost-effective | Less heat resistance than higher-end engineering resins |
| PC (Polycarbonate) | Tough enclosures, transparent covers, durable components | High impact strength, good toughness, clear grades available | Can scratch more easily and may require careful cosmetic planning |
| PA / Nylon | Wear parts, clips, brackets, mechanical components | Strong, durable, good wear resistance | Moisture absorption can affect dimensions and properties |
| POM / Acetal | Gears, slides, low-friction mechanical assemblies | High stiffness, low friction, good dimensional stability | Fewer cosmetic finishing paths than some other resins |
| PP (Polypropylene) | Living hinges, containers, chemical-contact parts | Good chemical resistance, fatigue resistance, lightweight | Lower stiffness than many engineering plastics |
| PE (HDPE/LDPE) | Tanks, lids, chemical-resistant utility parts | Tough, chemical resistant, economical | Lower rigidity and more limited high-heat performance |
| TPE / TPU | Soft-touch parts, seals, overmolds, flexible features | Elastic feel, grip, impact absorption | Not suitable when rigid structural performance is required |
| LSR | Medical, seals, gaskets, high-temperature flexible parts | Flexible, temperature resistant, strong compression recovery | Different tooling and processing considerations than standard thermoplastics |
| PEEK / PEI / PPS | Demanding industrial, medical, and high-temperature applications | Excellent heat and chemical resistance with strong mechanical performance | Higher material and processing cost |
Define whether the part primarily needs impact strength, stiffness, flexibility, wear resistance, or cosmetic appearance.
Review heat, chemical exposure, UV, moisture, and regulatory needs before narrowing down resin options.
Compare material price, available colors, flame ratings, and cosmetic expectations with the desired production volume.
Use quoting feedback to verify wall sections, gate strategy, tolerances, and part geometry against the selected resin family.
Share part size, finish goals, and performance targets. We can point you toward the most practical 3D printing material family before quoting.
