Compare 3D Printing Materials

Wax materials are a special type of material commonly used in 3D printing, primarily applied in rapid prototyping and precision casting. They offer excellent flowability and moldability, allowing for high-precision detail during the printing process. Red wax, in particular, has a vivid color, usually deep red, hence the name “red wax.” One of its key features is its ability to melt quickly when heated, facilitating subsequent casting processes, making it especially suitable for jewelry, art sculptures, and the manufacture of complex mechanical parts.

In addition, red wax materials have moderate hardness and a smooth surface, requiring minimal post-processing after printing, which helps maintain the accuracy and surface quality of the print. Because it can be melted at high temperatures, it is also commonly used in the “lost wax casting” process, playing a crucial role in precision casting.

PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance engineering plastic widely used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics industries. As a material that is resistant to high temperatures, chemical corrosion, and wear, PEEK offers exceptional strength and rigidity in 3D printing, making it suitable for demanding functional parts. It can withstand temperatures exceeding 250°C and maintain stable performance under high loads and extreme conditions. PEEK also has excellent electrical insulation properties and biocompatibility, making it an ideal choice for medical implants and high-end industrial components.

PLA is a high-quality, high-performance, and cost-effective 3D printing material, offering excellent layer adhesion and impact resistance, resulting in durable and long-lasting prints. The base series comes in up to 30 colors, ensuring uniform color consistency and stable printing quality. PLA is made from renewable plant-based resources, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable. It is reliable, easy to use, and provides high cost-performance with a wide range of colors, making it an ideal choice for home, education, and industrial printing.

3D printing antistatic resin materials are typically achieved by incorporating conductive fillers or ion-type additives into the resin, effectively reducing the material’s surface resistivity. These materials are specifically designed for applications in electronic devices, precision instruments, and other areas where static interference must be prevented. The material effectively suppresses static accumulation, ensuring that printed parts remain free from charge interference during use, while maintaining excellent mechanical properties and precise printing details. Whether for manufacturing sensitive components or performing high-precision assemblies, antistatic resin is the ideal choice.

PC-Like Advanced High Temp is a high-temperature reinforced material with properties similar to polycarbonate, specifically designed for functional parts that require a combination of high strength, stiffness, and heat resistance. Post-curing can further increase the heat deflection temperature of the parts, enhancing their stability and reliability in high-temperature environments. It should be noted that post-curing may reduce some aspects of durability, so a balance between strength and toughness should be considered during design.

PA+GF is a polyamide powder material reinforced with glass beads, which significantly improves stiffness and dimensional stability. Compared with unfilled polyamide, this material offers higher heat resistance and demonstrates excellent long-term wear performance. However, due to the addition of glass, its impact strength and tensile strength are relatively lower than those of other nylons.

Nylon is a high-performance engineering polymer with well-balanced properties. It offers high strength, excellent toughness, and outstanding wear resistance, along with superior chemical resistance and thermal stability, ensuring reliable performance even under demanding conditions. Thanks to its lightweight and high reliability, nylon materials are widely used in automotive, medical, aerospace, and consumer products, making them an ideal choice for applications requiring both functionality and durability.

Inconel 718 is known for its outstanding high-temperature strength, creep resistance, and corrosion resistance. The material can withstand operating temperatures above 700°C while maintaining excellent fatigue and fracture resistance. Through additive manufacturing, GH4169 can produce parts with complex geometries and is widely used in aerospace engines, gas turbines, high-temperature molds, and high-performance industrial components.
Disadvantages: High cost; complex heat treatment process; thin-walled structures require careful design; default surface roughness Ra10–12.

17-4 PH stainless steel is a precipitation-hardening stainless steel known for its excellent hardness and corrosion resistance. Through vacuum solution heat treatment and H900 aging treatment, printed parts can achieve high strength, high hardness, and good wear resistance. 17-4 PH stainless steel is suitable for manufacturing industrial components that require high strength, corrosion resistance, and complex structures, such as aerospace parts, molds, and high-load machinery.
Disadvantages: Low elongation (≤16% after heat treatment); weak magnetism after heat treatment.

3D printed titanium alloys, represented by Ti6Al4V, feature extremely high specific strength and excellent corrosion resistance, while being lightweight and tough. They enable the creation of complex geometries and topology-optimized designs through additive manufacturing, and are widely used in aerospace, medical implants, automotive, and high-performance sports equipment. Titanium alloys also offer good high-temperature performance and biocompatibility, making them an ideal choice for manufacturing high-performance, lightweight components.
Disadvantages: Poor heat resistance (maximum 120°C); surface roughness around Ra10, with slight pits and visible layer texture.