Material guide
17 materials. One right choice.*
From everyday PLA to carbon-fibre nylon and PPS, printed on our Bambu Lab H2S with a heated chamber and hardened toolhead. Compare them below, or pick “Not sure” and we’ll recommend one with your quote.
* Most materials are held in stock. If your chosen material needs to be ordered in, please allow an extra 1–2 working days for dispatch.
| Material | Stiffness | Where | Heat (approx.) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday | ||||
| PLA | Stiff | Indoors | ≈ 55°C | Models, prototypes, display pieces, organisers and gifts |
| PETG | Semi-rigid | Indoor and sheltered outdoor | ≈ 70°C | Brackets, clips, enclosures, garden parts and containers |
| TPU | Flexible | Indoor and outdoor | Moderate | Grips, bumpers, seals, feet, phone cases and vibration dampers |
| Engineering | ||||
| ABS | Stiff | Indoors | ≈ 85–90°C | Enclosures, car interior parts, tool handles and functional prototypes |
| ASA | Stiff | Outdoors | ≈ 95–100°C | Car exterior trim, garden fittings, signs and outdoor mounts |
| PC | Stiff and very tough | Indoor and sheltered outdoor | ≈ 110–120°C | Protective covers, high-load brackets, lamp housings and tough mechanical parts |
| Nylon | Tough with some flex | Indoors (absorbs moisture) | High (varies by grade) | Gears, hinges, bushings, living clips and wear parts |
| Carbon & glass fibre | ||||
| PLA-CF | Very stiff | Indoors | ≈ 55°C | Jigs, drone frames, cosplay and display parts |
| PETG-CF | Very stiff | Indoor and outdoor | ≈ 75°C | Brackets, mounts and functional parts that need to look good |
| ABS-GF | Very stiff | Indoors | ≈ 95°C | Housings, brackets and jigs that need to hold their size |
| ASA-CF | Very stiff | Outdoors | ≈ 100°C | Outdoor mounts, vehicle exterior parts and outdoor drone parts |
| PC-CF | Very stiff and strong | Indoor and sheltered outdoor | ≈ 115°C+ | High-load structural parts and tooling |
| PA-CF | Very stiff and strong | Indoor and outdoor | ≈ 180°C+ | Robotics, tooling, end-use mechanical parts and brackets near engines (non-critical) |
| PA-GF | Stiff and tough | Indoor and outdoor | ≈ 180°C | Tough brackets, clips and housings that take knocks |
| PET-CF | Very stiff | Indoor and outdoor | ≈ 200°C | Precision jigs and fixtures, and parts in warm or humid places |
| High performance | ||||
| PPA-CF | Extremely stiff and strong | Indoor and outdoor | ≈ 220°C+ | Industrial high-load, high-temperature parts |
| PPS-CF | Extremely stiff | Indoor and outdoor | ≈ 260°C | Parts near chemicals, solvents, fuels or high heat |
Heat figures are approximate heat deflection temperatures from manufacturers’ data sheets. Real-world limits depend on the load, design and print settings.
Everyday
Easy to print, great value and the widest colour choice.
PLA
Polylactic acid
Accurate, affordable and the go-to for models, prototypes and indoor parts.
- Stiffness
- Stiff
- Where
- Indoors
- Heat
- ≈ 55°C
- Good for
- Models, prototypes, display pieces, organisers and gifts
Strengths
- Sharpest detail
- Biggest colour range, including multicolour
- Lowest cost
Watch-outs
- Softens in a hot car or strong sun
- Can snap under sharp impact
- Not for long-term outdoor use
PETG
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol
Tougher than PLA with a little flex, and happy with moisture and the outdoors.
- Stiffness
- Semi-rigid
- Where
- Indoor and sheltered outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 70°C
- Good for
- Brackets, clips, enclosures, garden parts and containers
Strengths
- Impact resistant
- Water and chemical resistant
- Strong layer bonding
Watch-outs
- Slightly less crisp detail than PLA
- Glossy surface shows scratches
TPU
Thermoplastic polyurethane (95A)
Rubber-like and flexible. Bends, squashes and springs back.
- Stiffness
- Flexible
- Where
- Indoor and outdoor
- Heat
- Moderate
- Good for
- Grips, bumpers, seals, feet, phone cases and vibration dampers
Strengths
- Bends without breaking
- Abrasion resistant
- Grippy surface
Watch-outs
- Not for rigid parts
- Slower to print, so costs a little more
- Fine detail is limited
Engineering
Tough plastics for heat, impact and real-world use. Printed in our heated chamber for minimal warping.
ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
The classic tough engineering plastic, with good heat resistance.
- Stiffness
- Stiff
- Where
- Indoors
- Heat
- ≈ 85–90°C
- Good for
- Enclosures, car interior parts, tool handles and functional prototypes
Strengths
- Tough and durable
- Handles heat well
- Can be sanded and finished
Watch-outs
- Not UV stable, so it fades outdoors
- Gives off fumes when printing, so we print enclosed
ASA
Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate
ABS’s outdoor cousin: UV and weather resistant.
- Stiffness
- Stiff
- Where
- Outdoors
- Heat
- ≈ 95–100°C
- Good for
- Car exterior trim, garden fittings, signs and outdoor mounts
Strengths
- Colour stays put in sunlight
- Weatherproof
- Heat resistant
Watch-outs
- Costs a little more than ABS
- Fewer colour options
PC
Polycarbonate
Very tough, impact resistant and handles high temperatures.
- Stiffness
- Stiff and very tough
- Where
- Indoor and sheltered outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 110–120°C
- Good for
- Protective covers, high-load brackets, lamp housings and tough mechanical parts
Strengths
- Excellent impact strength
- High heat resistance
- Strong and durable
Watch-outs
- Higher cost
- Limited colours
Nylon
Polyamide (PA)
Tough and slippery, made for moving and wearing parts.
- Stiffness
- Tough with some flex
- Where
- Indoors (absorbs moisture)
- Heat
- High (varies by grade)
- Good for
- Gears, hinges, bushings, living clips and wear parts
Strengths
- Very tough and fatigue resistant
- Low friction
- Wear resistant
Watch-outs
- Absorbs moisture, which slightly changes its properties
- Less stiff than fibre-filled grades
Carbon & glass fibre
Short fibres mixed into the plastic for extra stiffness, stability and a premium matte finish. Printed with hardened steel parts on our H2S.
PLA-CF
Carbon-fibre reinforced PLA
Stiffer PLA with a premium matte finish that hides layer lines.
- Stiffness
- Very stiff
- Where
- Indoors
- Heat
- ≈ 55°C
- Good for
- Jigs, drone frames, cosplay and display parts
Strengths
- Light and stiff
- Hides layer lines
- Very accurate
Watch-outs
- Same heat limit as PLA
- More brittle than plain PLA
PETG-CF
Carbon-fibre reinforced PETG
PETG’s toughness with extra stiffness and a clean matte look.
- Stiffness
- Very stiff
- Where
- Indoor and outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 75°C
- Good for
- Brackets, mounts and functional parts that need to look good
Strengths
- Stiffer than PETG
- Low warping
- Smart matte finish
Watch-outs
- Less impact-tough than plain PETG
ABS-GF
Glass-fibre reinforced ABS
Stiffer, more stable ABS for precise functional parts.
- Stiffness
- Very stiff
- Where
- Indoors
- Heat
- ≈ 95°C
- Good for
- Housings, brackets and jigs that need to hold their size
Strengths
- Very little warping
- Stiff and stable
- Heat resistant
Watch-outs
- Slightly textured finish
- Not UV stable
ASA-CF
Carbon-fibre reinforced ASA
UV-stable and stiff. Outdoor parts with a carbon finish.
- Stiffness
- Very stiff
- Where
- Outdoors
- Heat
- ≈ 100°C
- Good for
- Outdoor mounts, vehicle exterior parts and outdoor drone parts
Strengths
- UV and weather resistant
- Stiff and stable
- Premium matte look
Watch-outs
- Less impact-tough than plain ASA
PC-CF
Carbon-fibre reinforced polycarbonate
Seriously strong, stiff and heat resistant.
- Stiffness
- Very stiff and strong
- Where
- Indoor and sheltered outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 115°C+
- Good for
- High-load structural parts and tooling
Strengths
- Very strong and stiff
- High heat resistance
- Dimensionally stable
Watch-outs
- Premium price
PA-CF
Carbon-fibre reinforced nylon
Our strongest everyday engineering material. Light, stiff and heat resistant.
- Stiffness
- Very stiff and strong
- Where
- Indoor and outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 180°C+
- Good for
- Robotics, tooling, end-use mechanical parts and brackets near engines (non-critical)
Strengths
- Excellent strength-to-weight
- Very high heat resistance
- Wear resistant
Watch-outs
- Absorbs some moisture
- Premium price
PA-GF
Glass-fibre reinforced nylon
Strong, tough and heat resistant. Handles knocks better than carbon grades.
- Stiffness
- Stiff and tough
- Where
- Indoor and outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 180°C
- Good for
- Tough brackets, clips and housings that take knocks
Strengths
- Tough and stiff together
- High heat resistance
- Better impact strength than CF
Watch-outs
- Absorbs some moisture
- Slightly rougher finish
PET-CF
Carbon-fibre reinforced PET
Stiff, very heat resistant and holds its size, even when it’s damp.
- Stiffness
- Very stiff
- Where
- Indoor and outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 200°C
- Good for
- Precision jigs and fixtures, and parts in warm or humid places
Strengths
- Very low moisture uptake
- Holds tight sizes
- Very high heat resistance
Watch-outs
- Less impact-tough than nylon
High performance
Industrial-grade polymers for extreme heat, chemicals and load. Quoted case by case.
PPA-CF
Carbon-fibre reinforced polyphthalamide
High-performance nylon for high heat and heavy loads.
- Stiffness
- Extremely stiff and strong
- Where
- Indoor and outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 220°C+
- Good for
- Industrial high-load, high-temperature parts
Strengths
- Top-tier strength and stiffness
- Very high heat resistance
- Low moisture uptake for a nylon
Watch-outs
- Highest cost
- Usually black only
PPS-CF
Carbon-fibre reinforced polyphenylene sulfide
Extreme heat and chemical resistance, and naturally flame retardant.
- Stiffness
- Extremely stiff
- Where
- Indoor and outdoor
- Heat
- ≈ 260°C
- Good for
- Parts near chemicals, solvents, fuels or high heat
Strengths
- Outstanding chemical resistance
- Flame retardant
- Extreme heat resistance
Watch-outs
- Highest cost
- Black only
- Brittle under sharp impact
Not sure?
That’s what we’re here for. Pick “Not sure” in the quote builder and tell us where the part will live, what it does and any loads, heat or weather it faces. Your quote will come with a material recommendation, and we’ll explain why.
Get a quote with adviceOur prints are not certified for safety-critical, medical, food-contact or regulated uses unless we’ve agreed this in writing. If your part has to meet a standard, tell us when you request a quote.