We Choose the Material to Suit the Part.
Every application has different mechanical, thermal and environmental requirements. Below you'll find the properties of the engineering filaments we use, taken from their real technical datasheets.
Which Material Suits You?
This summary shows the key strength of each material family. See each material's own section for detailed technical values.
Economical and Fast Options
Not every part needs an engineering-grade material. For prototypes, visual models and low-load parts we also use the standard filaments below — for these we summarise typical applications rather than detailed lab datasheets.
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)
Shows outstanding resistance to direct sunlight (UV radiation), rain and harsh weather; it doesn't yellow, fade or become brittle over years of outdoor use. It shares ABS's toughness and impact strength while eliminating ABS's biggest weakness — outdoor degradation. With a heat deflection temperature of up to 98°C, it also withstands temperature fluctuations and common chemicals such as antifreeze and mild acids.
| Property | ASA (Unfilled) |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45 ± 5 MPa |
| Impact Strength (Charpy) | 18.0 ± 2.0 kJ/m² |
| Continuous Service Temperature | 85 °C |
| Water Absorption (24 h) | 0.35 % |
Automotive Exterior Trim (Mirror Covers, Grilles) · Outdoor Camera / Sensor Housings · Marine Hardware · Agricultural Equipment Components · Exterior Fixtures
PA6 & PA6-CF (Polyamide 6 Group)
Unfilled PA6 (polyamide/nylon) stands out with very high impact toughness, flexibility and wear resistance; able to absorb a lot of energy before breaking, it's ideal for moving mechanical systems. The 20% carbon-fibre-reinforced PA6-CF has a high strength-to-weight ratio that can replace metals such as aluminium; the reinforcement stops flexing and increases stiffness. Both grades show excellent chemical resistance to engine oils, greases and industrial solvents.
| Property | PA6 (Unfilled) | PA6-CF (20% Reinforced) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 70 ± 5 MPa | 102 ± 7 MPa |
| Impact Strength (Charpy) | 18.0 ± 2.0 kJ/m² | 12.5 ± 1.5 kJ/m² |
| Continuous Service Temperature | 100 °C | 120 °C |
| Water Absorption (24 h) | 2.80 % | 1.15 % |
Vibration Damping Mounts · Plain Bearings · Wear-Exposed Bushings · Tough Gears
In-Vehicle Structural Components · Custom Fixtures and Jigs · Engine Covers · Rigid Enclosures
PC & PC-CF (Polycarbonate Group)
Unfilled polycarbonate is known for exceptional impact strength and toughness; it keeps its mechanical properties at high temperatures and is an engineering solution for parts exposed to heavy impacts. Carbon-fibre-reinforced PC-CF combines polycarbonate's high heat resistance with the stiffness of carbon fibre, and is used for structural bodies where flexing is unwanted, as an alternative to metal. With a heat deflection temperature approaching 140°C, both grades work without deforming in demanding thermal conditions such as engine bays and lighting fixtures.
| Property | PC (Unfilled) | PC-CF (20% Reinforced) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 65 ± 5 MPa | 95 ± 5 MPa |
| Impact Strength (Charpy) | 60.0 kJ/m² (Very High) | 14.0 kJ/m² |
| Continuous Service Temperature | 110 °C | 115 °C |
| Flame Retardancy | UL94 V-2 (Equivalent) | UL94 V-0 (Equivalent) |
Impact-Resistant Protective Enclosures · Drone Frames · Construction Machinery Cab Interior Parts
Fixtures and Jigs · High-Stiffness Mounting Brackets · Robotic Arms
PPA & PPA-CF (High-Performance Polyphthalamide)
PPA is a high-temperature engineering plastic with far superior thermal and mechanical properties compared with standard aliphatic polyamides (PA6, PA12); thanks to its low moisture absorption, it keeps its dimensional stability even in harsh conditions. The 20% carbon-fibre-reinforced PPA-CF is an ultimate metal-replacement solution with a strength-to-weight ratio that can compete with aluminium parts. Both grades show outstanding chemical resistance to hot glycol, engine oils, antifreeze and aggressive fuels — making them suitable for under-the-hood applications.
| Property | PPA (Unfilled) | PPA-CF (20% Reinforced) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 100 ± 5 MPa | 140 ± 8 MPa |
| Impact Strength (Charpy) | 6.5 ± 0.5 kJ/m² | 9.0 ± 1.0 kJ/m² |
| Continuous Service Temperature | 150 °C | 170 °C |
| Water Absorption (24 h) | 0.15 % (Very Low) | 0.10 % (Near Zero) |
Coolant Valves · Fuel Line Components · Electronic Connectors · Coil Bobbins
Engine Block Mounting Brackets · Exhaust-Area Components · Aerospace Hardware · High-Load Industrial Fixtures
PPS & PPS-CF (Polyphenylene Sulfide)
PPS has unique chemical resistance: it doesn't dissolve in any known solvent below 200°C, giving almost complete protection against strong acids, bases, fuels and heavy industrial chemicals. It meets the UL94 V-0 flammability standard inherently, without additives, and can operate continuously at 200–240°C without losing its mechanical properties. Carbon-fibre-reinforced PPS-CF combines this heat and chemical resistance with the stiffness of carbon fibre and can directly replace metal parts in the aerospace industry.
| Property | PPS (Unfilled) | PPS-CF (15–20% Reinforced) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 75 ± 5 MPa | 120 ± 10 MPa |
| Impact Strength (Charpy) | 5.0 ± 0.5 kJ/m² | 7.5 ± 0.5 kJ/m² |
| Continuous Service Temperature | 200 °C | 220 °C (High) |
| Flame Retardancy | UL94 V-0 (Inherent) | UL94 V-0 (Inherent) |
High-Temperature and Chemical Pumps · Corrosive Fluid Valves · Fuel System Components · Electrical / Electronic Insulators
Semiconductor Manufacturing Fixtures · Critical Metal-Replacement Parts Inside Engines · Medical Fixtures Requiring High-Temperature Sterilisation
The mechanical and thermal values above are dry-state laboratory results obtained from standard ISO test bars printed at 100% infill (solid). Actual part performance may vary with geometry, print orientation and infill. The official PDF datasheets for these materials are available on request.
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