Which 3D printing material to choose depending on the type of stress on the part
Choosing a material to manufacture a part using industrial 3D printing is not simply a matter of looking for the «strongest» material. A part may be subjected to tensile stress, bending, impact, temperature, wear or repeated deformation, and each of these conditions requires different properties to be assessed. Therefore, the right material depends as much on the part’s characteristics as on the actual conditions in which it will operate. At Additium3D, we analyse these factors before defining the manufacturing solution. 3D printing technology, the material, the part’s geometry and its conditions of use must all be considered together to achieve a functional component that is suitable for the application. In this article, we review which properties should be prioritised depending on the type of stress an industrial part will endure and which materials may be suitable in each case. What should be taken into account before choosing a material? Before selecting a 3D printing material, it is important to define how the part will actually function. Manufacturing a housing is not the same as producing a structural part, a guide, a protective cover, a seal or a component subjected to high temperatures. Key factors influencing the choice include: Therefore, there is no single 3D printing material that is best for all applications. The selection must be based on the specific requirements of the part. Which 3D printing material is the strongest? This is one of the most common questions when considering the production of an industrial part using additive manufacturing. However, simply talking about «strength» can be too generic. A part may require mechanical strength, stiffness, impact resistance or the ability to withstand high temperatures. Furthermore, the final performance also depends on the geometry, the printing orientation and the technology used. Among the technologies and materials we work with at Additium3D, PAHT CF, Nylon 12 CF, PA12 S and ABS GF can meet the different requirements of functional parts and industrial applications. The choice will depend on the type of stress the component has to withstand. If the part is subjected to mechanical loads – that is, when a part has to bear loads during operation – it is important to assess properties such as mechanical strength, stiffness and dimensional stability. In such cases, engineering materials such as the following may be particularly suitable: PAHT CF PAHT CF combines a high-temperature polyamide with carbon fibre. It is designed for parts requiring high mechanical strength, stiffness, dimensional stability and good performance at high temperatures. It can be an option for functional components subjected to demanding loads. Nylon 12 CF Nylon 12 CF incorporates carbon fibre and is designed for applications requiring an engineering material with good mechanical properties. It can be used to manufacture functional parts where the aim is to combine strength and stiffness with the advantages of additive manufacturing. ABS GF Glass-fibre-reinforced ABS GF is an alternative for certain parts manufactured using FDM that require better mechanical properties than a standard thermoplastic. The choice of material will depend on the specific requirements of the application and the manufacturing process. If the part is to operate at high temperatures Operating temperature is another factor that may rule out certain materials. A part may need to operate near a heat source, be subjected to thermal cycling, or maintain its geometry and performance as the temperature rises. In such cases, it is not enough simply to select a mechanically strong material: its thermal behaviour must be specifically assessed. PAHT CF for thermally demanding applications PAHT CF is particularly suited to applications where the part must maintain good mechanical and dimensional stability under high-temperature conditions. It can therefore be an attractive option for certain industrial components subjected simultaneously to mechanical loads and thermal stresses. If the component is subject to impacts Where there is a risk of impacts or point loads, it is important to assess the material’s ability to absorb impacts without fracturing. In this type of application, impact resistance may be more important than achieving maximum stiffness. The choice will depend on the intensity and frequency of the impacts, as well as the part’s geometry and conditions of use. PA12 S, for example, is a material used in industrial additive manufacturing for functional parts and may be suitable for numerous applications where a balance is sought between mechanical performance, precision and component behaviour. If the part is subject to wear or friction Not all industrial parts withstand high static loads. Some operate continuously whilst in motion and are subject to contact, friction or wear. In these cases, it is advisable to analyse: The material must be selected taking into account how the wear occurs, not merely its initial mechanical strength. For certain functional parts of this type, engineering materials such as PA12 S, Nylon 12 CF or ABS GF may be considered, always depending on the specific operating conditions. If the part needs to be flexible There are applications where rigidity is precisely the problem. Seals, protective covers, shock-absorbing elements or components that need to deform require a material capable of withstanding such deformation without losing its functionality. TPU: when the part needs to deform TPU is a flexible and durable thermoplastic polyurethane that allows parts to be manufactured with elasticity and the ability to deform. In FDM 3D printing, it can be used to produce functional components that require: In this case, looking for the «most durable» material would be pointless: the property that defines the application is precisely flexibility. If dimensional stability is the priority In certain industrial applications, a part must not only withstand a load: it must also maintain its geometry and dimensions during operation. This can be particularly important in: In these cases, the material, manufacturing technology and geometry must be assessed together. Technologies such as MJF and SLS enable the production of complex functional parts in materials such as PA12 S, Nylon 12 or Nylon 12 CF, whilst FDM can be a suitable alternative
