Precision 3D Printing for Metal and Plastic - Delivered Fast.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a versatile metal material that is lightweight and boasts excellent strength. It also has high thermal and electrical conductivity, making it ideal for use in heat exchangers and electronic components.

Additionally, aluminum is highly valued for its toughness and resistance to shattering at low temperatures. This makes it a preferred material for parts in artificial satellites and cryogenic plants. Also, because aluminum is non-toxic and odorless, it's widely used in a variety of applications, from machine and equipment parts to everyday household items.

Key Characteristics

• High strength

• Lightweight

• Excellent cold resistance

• High thermal and electrical conductivity

• Hygienic

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy steel created by adding chromium and nickel to iron. It's a material with excellent strength, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance. The passive film formed on its surface by the addition of chromium protects its interior and it has low thermal conductivity, so heat doesn't transfer through it.

The crystal structure and properties of stainless steel change depending on the proportion of alloying elements added during manufacturing and the temperature of heat treatment. Because of this, there are a wide variety of stainless steel types, allowing for their use in a broad range of applications from mechanical parts, construction materials, and everyday household items.

Key Characteristics

• High strength

• Excellent corrosion resistance

• Excellent heat resistance

• Low thermal and electrical conductivity

• Hygienic

Inconel

Inconel is a nickel-chromium based superalloy often used in applications where high temperatures, pressure, or mechanical loads are present. Inconel is oxidation and corrosion resistant, and forms protective layer when heated. Additionally, inconel keeps its strength over a wide temperature range, making it a good alternative for aluminum or steel in high-temperature applications.

Some common applications where inconel is used are turbocharger components, motor components, steam generators, racing exhaust systems, aerospace components, and more.

Key Characteristics

• Exceptional high-temperature strength

• Excellent corrosion resistance

• Excellent oxidation resistance

• Non-magnetic

• Creep resistance

Maraging Steel

Maraging steel is a high-strength, low-carbon steel alloy known for its superior strength and toughness, which is achieved through a special heat treatment process called maraging. This process involves solution treating, quenching, and then aging the steel, leading to the spread of intermetallic compounds that significantly increase its hardness without a substantial loss in malleability. Additionally, maraging steel exhibits excellent dimensional stability during heat treatment, making it suitable for precision components.

Some common applications where maraging steel is used are tooling, aerospace components, high-performance sporting goods, and critical structural parts requiring high strength-to-weight ratios.

Key Characteristics

• Very high strength

• Excellent dimensional stability

• High toughness

• Good malleability

• Good corrosion resistance

PEKK

PEKK (Polyetherketoneketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic that offers an impressive combination of properties, making it suitable for extremely demanding applications. PEKK stands out for its exceptional mechanical strength, high heat resistance, and excellent chemical resistance. PEKK is used for a wide range of applications from aerospace to medical/dental products (PEKK is biocompatible).

One of PEKK's notable features is its tunable crystallinity, meaning its properties can be tailored during processing to achieve specific performance characteristics. This flexibility allows for optimization in various manufacturing methods, including advanced additive manufacturing (3D printing) where it's gaining significant traction. Additionally, PEKK is inherently flame retardant, so it produces minimal smoke and toxic gases in the event of combustion.

Key Characteristics

• Excellent Mechanical Strength

• High Heat Resistance

• Excellent Chemical Resistance

• Good Wear Resistance

• Flame Retardancy

• Biocompatibility

Onyx

Onyx is a composite material, primarily a blend of nylon and carbon fiber that was specifically developed for 3D printing. It serves as a foundational material for high-strength, stiff, and aesthetically pleasing parts. Its unique composition imbues it with properties that surpass those of many conventional 3D printing plastics like ABS.

Onyx can be printed on its own, offering significant improvements over standard thermoplastics, or it can be further reinforced with continuous fibers such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or Kevlar, to achieve strengths comparable to or even exceeding aluminum, depending on the fiber reinforcement. This versatility allows for the creation of parts with tailored mechanical properties for specific demanding environments.

Key Characteristics

• Excellent mechanical strength

• High heat resistance

• Good insulating properties

• Excellent chemical resistance

• Flame retardancy in some variants

• Good impact resistance

ULTEM

ULTEM  is a high-performance thermoplastic renowned for its exceptional balance of mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, particularly at elevated temperatures. ULTEM has become a go-to material for demanding applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics, where conventional plastics fall short.

ULTEM's strength and rigidity are maintained across a wide temperature range, and it exhibits excellent dimensional stability, meaning it holds its shape and size even under stress or temperature fluctuations. Additionally, its flame retardancy and low smoke generation are critical for applications where fire safety is paramount. Furthermore, ULTEM is highly resistant to a broad spectrum of chemicals, making it suitable for harsh environments where exposure to various solvents, oils, and other aggressive substances are common.

Key Characteristics

• High heat resistance

• Excellent mechanical strength

• Excellent insulating properties

• Excellent chemical resistance

• Flame retardancy

• Great hydrolytic stability

PA

PA (Polyamide) is a widely used engineering plastic renowned for its excellent balance of mechanical properties, wear resistance, and chemical resistance. It possesses good toughness, high tensile strength, and a low coefficient of friction, making it suitable for a variety of applications.

PA is also recognized for its good fatigue resistance and electrical insulating properties. While generally resistant to many chemicals, some types of PA can be affected by strong acids and bases. Its moisture absorption can lead to dimensional changes and a reduction in some mechanical properties, a factor that needs to be considered in design. Additionally, PA exhibits good impact strength and a relatively high melting point, allowing for use in moderate temperature environments.

Key Characteristics

• Excellent wear resistance

• Good chemical resistance

• High toughness

• Electrical insulating properties

• Good impact strength

ASA

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic that is often considered an improved alternative to ABS, particularly for outdoor applications. It retains many of the desirable characteristics of ABS, such as toughness and rigidity, while significantly improving weather and UV resistance.

ASA boasts excellent resistance to atmospheric influences, including UV radiation, moisture, and extreme temperatures, making it highly stable and resistant to yellowing or degradation when exposed to sunlight over long periods. It also exhibits good chemical resistance to diluted acids, alkalis, gasoline, greases, and oils.

Furthermore, ASA offers good heat resistance, maintaining its properties at temperatures typically up to 90-100°C. Its dimensional stability, high gloss, and good antistatic properties contribute to its use in a wide range of demanding applications. Its superior outdoor performance makes it a preferred choice where long-term aesthetic and mechanical integrity are critical.

• Exceptional UV and weather resistance

• Good mechanical strength

• High impact resistance

• Excellent color retention

• Good heat resistance

• High chemical resistance

• High dimensional stability

• Good antistatic properties

Epoxy

Epoxy is highly valued for its outstanding adhesive qualities, capable of bonding a wide range of materials, including metals, ceramics, wood, and various plastics. It possesses excellent mechanical strength, including high tensile, compressive, and flexural properties, especially when used in composite materials like Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) or Fiberglass Reinforced Polymers (FRP).

Additionally, epoxy resins exhibit superior chemical resistance, making them highly resilient to solvents, acids, and bases once cured. They also provide excellent electrical insulation, dimensional stability with minimal shrinkage during curing, and good heat resistance. The specific properties of an epoxy system can be tailored by selecting different resin formulations and curing agents, allowing for a broad spectrum of applications, from high-performance aerospace components to adhesives, coatings, and electrical encapsulants.

Key Characteristics

• Exceptional adhesion

• High mechanical strength

• Superior chemical resistance

• Excellent electrical insulation

• High dimensional stability

• Good heat resistance

Red Wax

Red wax, often used in 3D printing for investment casting patterns, is a thermoplastic material. This means that unlike thermosetting plastics, it can be repeatedly melted and solidified without undergoing a chemical change, allowing for easy removal and reuse.

Additionally, Red wax can be printed into intricate patterns, which are then used to create molds for casting metal parts. Its low ash content upon burnout is crucial, as it ensures that the mold cavity remains clean and free of residue, which is essential for producing high-quality castings. The material's ability to melt at relatively low temperatures allows for easy removal from ceramic molds, preventing damage to the mold itself. Additionally, its smooth surface finish contributes to the high dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the final cast parts. The malleability and ease of manipulation of red wax, even after printing, provide flexibility for post-processing and refinement of the patterns.

Key Characteristics

• Melts at relatively low temperatures

• Smooth surface finish

• Good dimensional accuracy

• Malleable and easy to manipulate

PC-ISO

PC-ISO (Polycarbonate-ISO) is an industrial thermoplastic specifically engineered for applications requiring biocompatibility and high performance. It is a specialized grade of polycarbonate that offers a unique combination of strength, heat resistance, and medical compatibility, making it a crucial material in advanced 3D printing.

PC-ISO stands out due to its compliance with stringent biocompatibility standards, notably ISO 10993 and USP Class VI. This makes it suitable for direct and indirect contact with the human body, facilitating its use in medical devices, surgical tooling, and pharmaceutical applications. Beyond its biological compatibility, PC-ISO maintains the excellent mechanical properties characteristic of polycarbonate, including high tensile and flexural strength, and good impact resistance. It also exhibits good heat deflection temperatures and dimensional stability, ensuring parts retain their form and function in various environments, including those requiring sterilization via methods like gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide (EtO), or steam.

Key Characteristics

• Biocompatible

• Sterilizable

• High mechanical strength

• Good heat resistance

• High dimensional stability

• Great for medical, pharmaceutical, and food-contact applications

PC-ABS

PC-ABS (Polycarbonate-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a high-performance thermoplastic blend that combines the best characteristics of two widely used polymers: the high heat resistance and strength of polycarbonate (PC) with the ductility, flexibility, and ease of processing of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This unique combination makes PC-ABS a highly versatile material for 3D printing, particularly in demanding industrial and functional applications.

PC-ABS is highly regarded for its exceptional balance of mechanical properties. It offers superior impact strength, even at low temperatures, making it ideal for parts that need to withstand significant stress and shock without breaking. Its high heat deflection temperature allows parts to maintain their shape and structural integrity in elevated temperature environments, such as automotive or electronic enclosures. Additionally, PC-ABS provides good dimensional stability, minimizing warping during printing and ensuring accurate, consistent parts. Its improved surface finish compared to pure PC, and ability to be easily post-processed (painting, plating, etc.), adds to its appeal for producing aesthetic and functional prototypes, tooling, and even low-volume production parts. Some formulations also offer flame-retardant properties, enhancing their suitability for certain safety-critical applications.

Key Characteristics

• High impact strength

• Excellent heat resistance

• Good dimensional stability

• Some variants feature flame retardancy

ABS

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a common thermoplastic polymer widely recognized for its robust balance of mechanical properties, affordability, and ease of processing. It is formed from a combination of three distinct monomers, each contributing unique characteristics to the final material.

ABS is highly valued for its good impact resistance, providing durability to parts that may experience knocks or stresses. It also offers good rigidity and hardness, making it suitable for structural components and enclosures. The styrene component gives it a good surface finish and makes it easily colorable, which is beneficial for aesthetic applications. While it has moderate heat resistance compared to some engineering plastics, it maintains its form well in many common environments. ABS is a popular choice in 3D printing, particularly for functional prototypes, tools, and consumer goods, as it can be sanded, painted, and glued, allowing for excellent post-processing capabilities.

Key Characteristics

• Good impact resistance

• Glossy appearance

• Insulting properties

• Good post-processing capabilities

PP

PP (Polypropylene) is a versatile thermoplastic polymer known for its excellent balance of properties and cost-effectiveness. It is one of the most widely produced and utilized plastics globally, finding applications across numerous industries, and its increasing use in 3D printing reflects its growing importance in additive manufacturing.

PP is highly valued for its exceptional chemical resistance, making it highly resilient to a broad range of acids, bases, and organic solvents. This property makes it ideal for parts exposed to harsh chemical environments, such as chemical containers, laboratory equipment, and automotive fluid systems. Furthermore, PP exhibits good fatigue resistance, meaning it can withstand repeated bending or flexing without breaking, which is crucial for living hinges and snap-fit assemblies. It also boasts good electrical insulation properties and a low density, contributing to lightweight parts.

Key Characteristics

• Excellent chemical resistance

• Low density

• Good electrical insulation

• Good fatigue resistance