Guide to choosing materials for FFF printing

The growing diffusion of filament 3D printers (FFF) is accompanied by the availability of new materials that can be used for printing.
In this exhaustive guide you will find the main characteristics of the most common polymers, paying particular attention to the mechanical and thermal in order to select the most appropriate for each application. Alongside the most common technical specifications, the catalog also includes chemically resistant, conductive or antistatic materials.

Aesthetic prototyping

PLA

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2850 MPa
Elongation at break	2.8%
Shore hardness	85 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	60 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.24 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

PRO1

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	3166 MPa
Elongation at break	21.9%
Shore hardness	85 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	60 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.25 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

PLA HT

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2500 MPa
Elongation at break	20%
Shore hardness	85 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	60 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.25 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

Recycled

PLA-R

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2963 MPa
Elongation at break	4%
Shore hardness	79.1 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	61 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.24 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

rPET

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1640 MPa
Elongation at break	4.3%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	83 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	65 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.27 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

Flexible

TPU 95A

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	29 MPa
Elongation at break	580%
Shore hardness	95 A
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-30 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.22 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

TPU 85A

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	20 MPa
Elongation at break	600%
Shore hardness	85 A
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-30 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.20 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

TPU HT

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2000 MPa
Elongation at break	170%
Shore hardness	83 A
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	164 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.22 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

High Temp

PC

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2134 MPa
Elongation at break	6.4%
Shore hardness	82 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	113 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.18 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

PEEK

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	3120 MPa
Elongation at break	26%
Shore hardness	87 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	143 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	152 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.29 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Flame retardant	UL94 V0

PEI (ULTEM)

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2230 MPa
Elongation at break	4.5%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	186 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	153 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.29 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Flame retardant	UL94 V0

PPSU

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2000 MPa
Elongation at break	21%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	220 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.29 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Flame retardant	UL94 V0

Composite / Reinforced

PA6 CF15

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	8386 MPa
Elongation at break	4%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	70 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	92 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.23 [g/cm³]
Certifications
ESD Safe	(1,8*10^6 Ω)

PA12 GF20

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2758 MPa
Elongation at break	7%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-
HDT at 1.82 MPa	85 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.00 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

PET CF

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	6178 MPa
Elongation at break	3.7%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	79 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	80 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.36 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

PP GF30

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	6500 MPa
Elongation at break	1.6%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-
HDT at 1.82 MPa	120 °C
Physical properties
Density	0.94 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

PA12 CF20

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	7400 MPa
Elongation at break	2.1%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-
HDT at 1.82 MPa	124 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.17 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

Resistant to chemical agents

CPE

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1900 MPa
Elongation at break	100%
Shore hardness	72 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	82 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	62 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.27 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

CPE+

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1575 MPa
Elongation at break	210%
Shore hardness	111 (RW)
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-
HDT at 1.82 MPa	81 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.18 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

PP

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	390 MPa
Elongation at break	200%
Shore hardness	55 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-17 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	0.89 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

PVDF

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	800 MPa
Elongation at break	200%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.72 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Food contact	FDA

NYLON

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	579 MPa
Elongation at break	210%
Shore hardness	74 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	50 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.14 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

Flame Retardant

PA6/66 GF20 FR

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	4876 MPa
Elongation at break	2.5%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-
HDT at 1.82 MPa	114 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.29 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Flame retardant	UL94 V0
Flame retardant, Railway applications	EN 45545-2
Flame retardant, Railway applications	NFPA 130
Generation of toxic gases	SMP 800-C

PPS

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1562 MPa
Elongation at break	3.52%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-
HDT at 1.82 MPa	108 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.27 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Flame retardant	UL94 V0

ABS FIREPROOF

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1300 MPa
Elongation at break	-
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	93 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	76 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.17 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Flame retardant	UL94 V1

PC/ABS FR

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2545 MPa
Elongation at break	10.7%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	94 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	79 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.16 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Flame retardant	UL94 V0
Flame retardant, Railway applications	EN 45545-2
Flame retardant, Railway applications	R26 (EL 10)

UV resistant

ASA

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1370 MPa
Elongation at break	3.5%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	103 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.06 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

SMART ABS

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1651 MPa
Elongation at break	4.5%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	109 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.03 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

ABS FUSION+

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1068 MPa
Elongation at break	10.9%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	114 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	71 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.08 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

Magneto detectable

PETG MDT

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	2450 MPa
Elongation at break	3.6%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	72 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	64 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.57 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Food contact	FDA

PA BLUE METAL

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	3120 MPa
Elongation at break	4.5%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	-
HDT at 1.82 MPa	90 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.25 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Food contact	EC 1935/2004
Food contact	EU 10/2011

Tribofilament

IGLIDUR I150

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	-
Elongation at break	-
Shore hardness	64 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	65 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.35 [g/cm³]
Certifications
Food contact	FDA
Food contact	EU 10/2011

IGLIDUR I180

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	-
Elongation at break	-
Shore hardness	66 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	80 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.21 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

Conductive

CNT

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1550 MPa
Elongation at break	4.5%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	65 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.35 [g/cm³]
Certifications
-	-

ESD Safe

PA6 CF15

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	8386 MPa
Elongation at break	4%
Shore hardness	-
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	70 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	92 °C
Physical properties
Density	1.23 [g/cm³]
Certifications
ESD Safe	1,8*10^6 Ω

ABS ESD

Mechanical Properties
Elastic module	1121 MPa
Elongation at break	19.8%
Shore hardness	66.7 D
Thermal Properties
T. Glass or Vicat Softening Point	107 °C
HDT at 1.82 MPa	-
Physical properties
Density	1.03 [g/cm³]
Certifications
ESD Safe	10^8 Ω

Food contact