Choosing the right material is a critical step that can truly make or break a 3D printing project. Achieving the proper balance of durability, cost-effectiveness, and performance is imperative for the project’s overall success. When choosing a material, it’s important to consider the following:
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- Mechanical strength and flexibility: Does this project require the ability to withstand heavy weight or high impact? Does it have to bend or stretch, and can it do so without breaking?
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- Chemical and water resistance: Will your project be exposed to chemicals, fuels, or oils? Will it be subjected to high levels of moisture in humid or damp conditions?
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- Environmental impact and material reusability: Is the material made from renewable sources? What is the environmental impact and what footprint does it leave behind? Can the material be reused for future printing jobs?
All of these properties require consideration when designing a project. However, selecting the right 3D printed materials for a project can be daunting given the diverse range of materials available. Whether you’re manufacturing prostheses, functional prototypes, or custom automotive parts, understanding the key properties of these materials and their applications can help designers across a variety of industries make the best informed decision for their project.
At ABCorp 3D, we make it easier for our clients by only working with state-of-the-art 3D technology like HP Multi Jet Fusion printers. Combined with a diverse array of 3D printing materials empowers our customers to bring their bold ideas to life. Let’s learn about each of these materials and their ideal use cases.
HP 3D HR PA 12: the production workhorse
PA 12 remains the material most customers start with, and for good reason. It delivers high-density, dimensionally stable parts with balanced mechanical properties and excellent resistance to oils, greases, hydrocarbons, and alkalies. Parts come off the build watertight without secondary sealing, which matters for enclosures and fluid-adjacent housings.
PA 12 also carries biocompatibility certification under USP Class I–VI and FDA guidance for applications involving intact skin contact. Combined with up to 80% surplus powder reusability, it’s typically the lowest cost-per-part option in the portfolio, which is why it shows up so often in complex assemblies, clips, and functional housings.
HP 3D HR PA 12 White and CB PA 12 Color
These two materials share the same PA 12 base performance, chemical resistance, strength, and up to 80% powder reusability, with one difference: finish. White works well for jigs, fixtures, and presentation models where a clean, uniform appearance matters. Full color CB PA 12 goes a step further, letting you build color coding directly into functional parts instead of painting or labeling after the fact.
Both are useful for training aids, coded prototypes, and any workflow where visual identification speeds up the process on the shop floor or in a clinical setting.
HP 3D HR PA 12 ESD: controlled static dissipation
For electronics housings and production-line components where static discharge is a real risk, PA 12 ESD delivers controlled surface resistivity between 10⁵ and 10¹² Ω/sq. ESD mode runs directly on HP’s 5600 printers, so there’s no special consumables or separate production line required.
Parts get a vapor-smoothed finish that improves consistency and reduces part-to-part variability, which matters when you’re producing at volume for regulated manufacturing or industrial environments.
HP 3D HR PA 12 FR: flame retardant performance for safety-critical parts
ABCorp 3D recently added HP 3D HR PA 12 FR to meet growing demand for production-ready parts that need to meet defined flammability standards. The material delivers flame resistance without giving up the strength, durability, or design flexibility that PA 12 is known for, which makes it a fit for aircraft interior components, electrical housings, transportation systems, and industrial equipment where compliance and part performance both matter.
If your program involves flammability certification, whether aerospace, rail, or industrial equipment, PA 12 FR is worth a conversation with our engineering team early in the design process.
HP 3D HR PA 11: built for flex and impact
PA 11 is the material to reach for when a part needs to bend, flex, or absorb repeated impact without cracking. Made from renewable castor oil, it offers superior ductility and elongation at break compared to standard PA 12, along with the same USP Class I–VI biocompatibility.
It shows up in prosthetics, insoles, sporting goods, living hinges, and snap fits, applications where toughness matters more than rigidity. Powder reusability runs up to 70%, and the material is engineered for final-part production rather than just prototyping.
HP 3D HR PP: chemical resistance at the lowest cost per part
Polypropylene fills a gap the nylons can’t. It offers true PP performance that matches traditional injection-molded parts, low moisture absorption, and weldability with molded PP components, which opens the door to hybrid assemblies combining additive and conventional manufacturing.
With powder reusability up to 100%, PP is typically the lowest-cost material in the HP MJF lineup. It’s a strong fit for fluid transfer parts, reservoirs, piping, and any application where long-term chemical exposure is a factor.
UltrasintⓇ TPU01: flexible parts that hold up under load
UltrasintⓇ TPU01 is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer built for applications that need genuine elastomeric performance such as lattice structures, cushioning, and energy-return components that see repeated load cycles. High throughput and strong surface detail make it suitable for complex geometries that would be difficult to achieve with molded elastomers at comparable volumes. Use cases range anywhere from sports protection equipment, footwear and orthopedic models, to car interior components and other industrial components that rely on elasticity and durability.
Consistent powder flow supports reliable throughput without sacrificing dimensional accuracy, even across intricate lattice designs.
| If your project requires: | Consider using: |
|---|---|
| Rigidity, watertight performance, and low cost per part | PA 12 |
| A white, colored, or dye-ready finish | PA 12 White or CB PA 12 |
| Proximity to static-sensitive electronics | PA 12 ESD |
| Flammability compliance | PA 12 FR |
| Parts that flex, bend, or absorb impact | PA 11 |
| Chemical exposure, fluid handling, or welded assemblies | Polypropylene |
| Cushioning, lattice structures, or repeated load cycling | UltrasintⓇ TPU01 |
Click here for a PDF version of ABCorp’s materials guide.
Your partner in secure, scalable additive manufacturing
Every 3D printing material in our portfolio is thoughtfully selected to deliver quality, performance, repeatability, and speed. Whether you’re prototyping a new design, scaling into full production, or bridging the gap between the two, our team is here to help you choose the right material for your application and timeline.
Ready to talk through your next build? Contact us to request samples, review your part requirements, or get a quote.
