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.

Flame-retardant resin is a high-performance material formulated with specialized additives to significantly reduce flammability and slow down flame propagation. While maintaining excellent mechanical strength and processability, it meets stringent fire safety standards. Ideal for electronics enclosures, aerospace components, transportation parts, and other applications requiring superior fire resistance, this resin enables precise 3D printing of complex geometries while ensuring reliable performance under high temperatures and flame exposure.

The high-temperature reinforced ceramic white combines exceptional heat resistance with outstanding strength and stiffness, making it an ideal choice for functional parts and high-performance prototypes. Post-curing further enhances its mechanical properties and thermal stability, providing reliable performance for complex geometries. Whether for aerospace, precision molds, electronic insulators, or laboratory equipment, this ceramic material meets the highest standards under demanding conditions, delivering solid support for innovative designs and high-performance manufacturing.

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.

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 aluminum alloys, represented by AlSi10Mg and other aluminum-silicon-magnesium alloys, combine lightweight characteristics with excellent mechanical properties. They offer an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, good corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity, and demonstrate excellent fatigue and fracture resistance after heat treatment. The material is easy to form, weld, and machine, making it ideal for aerospace, automotive, and tooling applications where lightweight design and structural complexity are critical. Finished parts are typically shot-peened for surface treatment. If you require any other post-processing, please inform our customer service clearly.
Disadvantages: Poor heat resistance (maximum 120°C); surface roughness around Ra10, with slight pits and visible layer texture.