Sixteen concise material profiles covering common engineering polymers and metals, with process notes and qualitative design comparisons.
Strength alone rarely decides a material. A useful shortlist also considers stiffness, toughness, temperature, chemical exposure, UV, moisture, tolerances, joining, manufacturing route, volume and supply.
Filter between polymers and metals. Ratings are educational comparisons, while exact properties remain grade-specific.
A widely used engineering thermoplastic balancing toughness, dimensional practicality and cost.
An ABS-like thermoplastic selected when weathering and UV resistance are important.
A stiff, easy-to-print material that is excellent for prototypes but limited by heat resistance and brittleness in demanding service.
A practical FDM material offering more toughness than PLA with easier printing than many ABS-family materials.
A tough engineering thermoplastic used when impact resistance, transparency options or elevated service temperature matter.
A low-density, chemically resistant thermoplastic especially useful for integral hinges and flexible molded products.
A dimensionally useful, low-friction engineering plastic widely used for gears, bushings, clips and precision mechanisms.
A strong, tough polyamide used for structural molded parts, gears, brackets and under-hood applications.
A tough polyamide with lower moisture uptake than PA6, widely used in SLS/MJF and flexible engineering components.
A flexible thermoplastic elastomer used for seals, bumpers, grips, protective features and flexible printed components.
A high-performance thermoplastic selected for demanding temperature, chemical, wear and dimensional requirements.
A versatile aluminum alloy combining machinability, corrosion resistance, strength and widespread availability.
A high-strength aluminum alloy widely used where weight efficiency matters and welding is not the primary joining method.
A general-purpose austenitic stainless steel used for corrosion-resistant fabricated and machined components.
A corrosion-resistant stainless steel often selected for marine, process, medical and chemical environments.
A high-specific-strength titanium alloy used in aerospace, medical and high-performance engineering applications.