Compare 50+ production-grade metals, engineering plastics, elastomers, resins, and powders across CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication. Our engineers review strength, temperature, chemical exposure, wear, appearance, certification, and processing requirements before production.
| Material | Family | Key Properties | Typical Yield Strength | Typical Hardness | Common Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | Metal — Aluminum | Balanced strength, machinability, corrosion resistance, and availability. | 276 MPa | 95 HB | As-Machined · Type II/III Anodizing |
| Aluminum 7075-T6 | Metal — Aluminum | High strength and low density for loaded structural components. | 503 MPa | 150 HB | As-Machined · Hardcoat Anodizing |
| Stainless Steel 304 | Metal — Stainless Steel | Corrosion resistance, formability, and broad general-purpose use. | 215 MPa | 88 HRB | As-Machined · Bead Blasting · Polishing |
| Stainless Steel 316L | Metal — Stainless Steel | Resistance to chlorides and chemicals for marine and medical applications. | 205 MPa | 80 HRB | Passivation · Electropolishing |
| Stainless Steel 17-4 PH (H900) | Metal — Stainless Steel | Precipitation-hardened grade combining high strength and corrosion resistance. | 1,170 MPa | 40 HRC | As-Machined · Passivation |
| Alloy Steel 4140 (Annealed) | Metal — Alloy Steel | Good toughness, fatigue resistance, and response to heat treatment. | 415 MPa | 197 HB | As-Machined · Black Oxide · Plating |
| Titanium (Grade 5) | Metal — Titanium | High strength-to-weight ratio with heat and corrosion resistance. | 880 MPa | 36 HRC | As-Machined · Bead Blasting |
| Brass C360 | Metal — Copper Alloy | Free-machining alloy with conductivity and low-friction performance. | 310 MPa | 78 HRB | As-Machined · Polishing · Plating |
| Copper C110 (Annealed) | Metal — Copper | High electrical and thermal conductivity with ductile machining behavior. | 69 MPa | 40 HB | As-Machined · Polishing · Plating |
| POM (Delrin / Acetal) | Polymer — Engineering | Stiff, low-friction polymer with low moisture absorption and stable dimensions. | 60 MPa | 86 Shore D | As-Machined · Polished |
| PEEK | Polymer — High Performance | Heat, chemical, wear, and dimensional performance for high-temperature or chemically exposed service. | 100 MPa | 85 Shore D | As-Machined |
| Nylon PA6/66 | Polymer — Engineering | Strong, wear-resistant material suited to gears, guides, and structural parts. | 70–85 MPa | 80–85 Shore D | As-Machined |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | Polymer — Engineering | Impact-resistant polymer available in transparent and opaque grades. | 62 MPa | 70 Shore D | As-Machined · Vapor Polishing |
| ABS | Polymer — General Purpose | Practical impact resistance and machinability for prototypes and housings. | 40 MPa | 105 Rockwell R | As-Machined · Painting |
| Material | Process | Key Properties | Typical Tensile Strength | Typical HDT @ 0.45 MPa | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Resin (White/Grey) | SLA | Fine detail and smooth surfaces for visual and dimensional models. | 42 MPa | 58 °C | Visual prototypes · Presentation models |
| Tough Resin (ABS-Like) | SLA | Balanced toughness and stiffness for functional fit and assembly testing. | 55 MPa | 60 °C | Enclosures · Mechanical assemblies |
| Clear Resin | SLA | Transparent photopolymer suitable for polished optical and flow-visualization parts. | 52 MPa | 73 °C | Clear covers · Fluid models · Optical prototypes |
| High-Temp Resin | SLA | High heat-deflection performance for short-duration thermal exposure. | 65 MPa | 238 °C | Mold inserts · Thermal fixtures · Hot-flow testing |
| PA12 (Nylon) | SLS | Durable nylon with balanced stiffness, toughness, and dimensional stability. | 48 MPa | 175 °C | Functional parts · Snap-fits · Complex geometry |
| PA11 (Nylon) | SLS | Ductile nylon with impact resistance and flexibility for repeated movement. | 48 MPa | 180 °C | Living hinges · Wearables · Impact-loaded parts |
| Glass-Filled Nylon | SLS | Glass-reinforced nylon with increased stiffness and thermal stability. | 51 MPa | 190 °C | Housings · Tooling · Dimensionally stable parts |
| TPU | SLS | Flexible elastomer with abrasion resistance and recoverable deformation. | 8–12 MPa | — | Seals · Bellows · Flexible protective parts |
| PA12 (Nylon) | MJF | Production nylon with consistent detail and mechanical performance across packed builds. | 48 MPa | 175 °C | Housings · Ducts · Repeat production |
| PA11 (Nylon) | MJF | Ductile nylon for impact-loaded components and flexible integrated features. | 52 MPa | 185 °C | Snap-fits · Orthotics · Impact-resistant parts |
| Polypropylene (PP) | MJF | Lightweight polymer with chemical resistance and low moisture absorption. | 30 MPa | 100 °C | Fluid systems · Containers · Living hinges |
| TPU | MJF | Elastomeric material for durable parts requiring flexibility and energy return. | 9–12 MPa | — | Gaskets · Grips · Flexible lattice structures |
| AlSi10Mg (Aluminum) | SLM/DMLS | Lightweight metal with useful strength and thermal conductivity. | 345 MPa | — | Topology-optimized parts · Heat exchangers |
| Ti6Al4V (Titanium) | SLM/DMLS | High specific strength with corrosion resistance and biocompatible grades. | 1100 MPa | — | Aerospace structures · Medical components |
| Stainless Steel 316L | SLM/DMLS | Corrosion-resistant metal for consolidated geometries and internal passages. | 650 MPa | — | Manifolds · Medical hardware · Fluid components |
| Tool Steel | SLM/DMLS | High-strength printable steel suitable for heat treatment and wear applications. | 1,100 MPa | — | Tooling inserts · Wear components · Mold features |
| ABS | FDM | Practical engineering thermoplastic for large prototypes and manufacturing aids. | 31 MPa | 96 °C | Jigs · Fixtures · Large functional prototypes |
| ULTEM™ 9085 | FDM | High-performance PEI with flame, smoke, and toxicity compliance options. | 68 MPa | 153 °C | Aircraft interiors · Production tooling · Fixtures |
| Material | Polymer Family | Key Properties | Typical Mold Shrinkage | Impact Profile | Grades & Additives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Tough, readily colored resin with good surface quality and processability. | 0.4–0.7% | High | Custom Colors · UV-Stabilized |
| PC | Polycarbonate | Impact-resistant resin with dimensional stability and transparent grades. | 0.5–0.7% | Very High | Glass-Filled · Optically Clear · Flame-Retardant |
| PC/ABS Alloy | PC + ABS Blend | Balances PC heat and impact performance with ABS processing and appearance. | 0.5–0.7% | Very High | Flame-Retardant · UV-Stabilized · Custom Colors |
| PP | Polypropylene | Lightweight resin with chemical resistance and fatigue performance for living hinges. | 1.0–2.5% | Medium | Glass-Filled · Talc-Filled · UV-Stabilized |
| PA6 / PA66 | Nylon | Strong, wear-resistant polymer with low friction and moisture-dependent properties. | 0.8–1.5% | High | Glass-Filled 10–50% · Impact-Modified |
| POM | Acetal / Delrin | Stiff, low-friction resin with dimensional stability for moving interfaces. | 1.5–2.0% | Medium | PTFE-Filled · Glass-Filled · Low-Wear Grades |
| PBT | Polybutylene Terephthalate | Dimensionally stable electrical polymer with chemical and heat resistance. | 1.2–2.2% | Medium | Glass-Filled · Flame-Retardant · Hydrolysis-Resistant |
| PPS | Polyphenylene Sulfide | High-temperature polymer with chemical resistance and stable molded dimensions. | 0.6–1.2% | Medium | Glass-Filled · Mineral-Filled · Flame-Retardant |
| PEEK | Polyetheretherketone | High-performance polymer for sustained heat, chemicals, wear, and structural loads. | 1.0–1.5% | Medium | Carbon-Fiber · Glass-Filled · Bearing Grades |
| PEI (ULTEM™) | Polyetherimide | Heat-resistant amorphous polymer with dielectric strength and stable dimensions. | 0.5–0.7% | High | Glass-Filled · Flame-Retardant · Transparent Grades |
| TPE / TPU | Thermoplastic Elastomers | Flexible, resilient materials for grips, seals, damping, and overmolding. | 1.0–2.0% | Very High | Multiple Shore A Durometers · Overmolding Grades |
| Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) | Thermoset Silicone Elastomer | Flexible silicone with temperature, chemical, and compression-set performance. | 2.0–4.0% | Very High | Medical · Optical · Food-Contact · Multiple Durometers |
| Material | Family | Key Properties | Formability | Weldability | Common Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 5052-H32 | Metal — Aluminum | Formable, corrosion-resistant alloy suited to bent enclosures and fabricated assemblies. | Very Good | Good (TIG/MIG) | Powder Coating · Conversion Coating |
| Aluminum 1060 | Metal — Aluminum | High-purity aluminum with conductivity, ductility, and low structural strength. | Very Good | Good | Anodizing · Conversion Coating |
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | Metal — Aluminum | Higher-strength alloy requiring larger bend radii and geometry-specific forming review. | Limited; Larger Radii | Good | Anodizing · Powder Coating |
| Stainless Steel 304 | Metal — Stainless Steel | General-purpose stainless steel with corrosion resistance and formability. | Good | Very Good | No. 4 Brushing · Bead Blasting |
| Stainless Steel 316L | Metal — Stainless Steel | Chloride and chemical resistance for marine, medical, and process equipment. | Good | Very Good | Passivation · Electropolishing |
| Cold Rolled Steel (SPCC) | Metal — Carbon Steel | Formable general-purpose sheet steel that requires surface protection against corrosion. | Very Good | Very Good | Powder Coating · Zinc Plating |
| Carbon Steel Q235 | Metal — Carbon Steel | Structural carbon steel for brackets, frames, plates, and welded assemblies. | Good | Very Good | Powder Coating · Zinc Plating |
| Galvanized Steel (SGCC) | Metal — Coated Steel | Zinc-coated sheet steel providing corrosion protection before fabrication. | Good | Controlled Process Required | As-Fabricated · Powder Coating |
| Copper C110 | Metal — Copper | High electrical and thermal conductivity for busbars and thermal components. | Very Good | Fair | As-Fabricated · Tin Plating |
| Brass C260 | Metal — Copper Alloy | Formable copper alloy with conductivity and a decorative natural appearance. | Very Good | Fair | Polishing · Brushing · Plating |
Values shown are typical references. Actual properties vary by commercial grade, temper, filler, color, build orientation, heat treatment, supplier, and processing conditions. Final material and documentation requirements are confirmed during quoting.
For sustained heat, thermal cycling, sterilization, or flame-smoke-toxicity requirements, material selection must consider both operating temperature and processing history.
PEEK · PEI (ULTEM™) · PPS · Ti6Al4V · High-Temperature Resin
Balance stiffness, tensile strength, impact resistance, fatigue behavior, and density for structures where load capacity and mass both matter.
Aluminum 7075-T6 · Titanium Grade 5 · Carbon-Filled Nylon · Polycarbonate
Consider fluids, cleaning agents, humidity, salt exposure, friction, and sterilization when selecting materials for long-term service.
Stainless Steel 316L · PEEK · POM · Polypropylene · PTFE
Use readily available, machinable, printable, or formable materials to evaluate geometry, fit, assembly, and function before committing to production tooling.
Aluminum 6061-T6 · ABS · Standard SLA Resin · PA12 · SPCC Steel
Material requirements are carried from quoting and purchasing through receiving, batch control, production, inspection, and shipment. Verification methods and required records are confirmed before production.
Incoming stock is checked against purchase requirements, grade, condition, dimensions, and supplier documentation. XRF alloy verification is used when required by the material or quality plan.
Heat, lot, or batch identifiers are linked to the production job, material issue records, inspection results, and applicable shipment documentation.
Material Test Reports, Certificates of Compliance, and RoHS or REACH declarations are available when specified during quoting. Customer-supplied material can also be segregated and tracked.
Surface treatments can change corrosion resistance, wear, conductivity, cleanability, texture, color, and dimensional fit. Review anodizing, plating, passivation, polishing, coating, and marking options for the selected base material.
Explore surface finishes