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Choosing the right material for your application

Formlabs makes a wide variety of 3D materials with different characteristics and properties. These attributes can help you assess the benefits of one material versus another for a specific use case. Choose the right material to suit your application's needs based on Formlabs recommended uses, key material benefits, part design considerations, printing considerations, and post-processing considerations.

For further guidance about materials, consult the Formlabs material selector or the Materials Catalog.

Application	Recommended Formlabs materials	Key material benefits	Design considerations	Printing considerations	Post-processing considerations
Injection molding	Rigid 10K Resin High Temp Resin Grey Pro Resin	High stiffness Temperature resistance Excellent dimensional stability under injection pressure	Thicker mold walls Draft angles of 3–5° Include large vents Round up edges Add surface textures to the mold in CAD for design realism	Print at 25–50 µm layer height. Avoid printing supports on molding surfaces. Tilt the print to reduce warping.	Thoroughly dry the mold after washing in IPA to avoid surface cracks. Machine or hand-sand to meet critical dimensions. Thermally post-cure. Media blast molds in Rigid 10K Resin to improve mechanical properties. Use a metal frame and metallic inserts to prevent breakage. Apply mineral oil. Apply mold release.
Thermoforming	Rigid 10K Resin Draft Resin Grey Resin	Heat deflection Smooth surface finish Dimensional stability under vacuum	Hollow the mold 1–2 mm minimum wall thickness Include air vents Avoid sharp edges	Orient your parts so that critical surfaces are free of support marks. Print the mold flat on the edge directly on the build platform. Select a base surface that will minimize overhangs.	Thoroughly wash with IPA and post-cure. Machine or hand-sand to meet critical dimensions. Use mold releases.
Blow molding	Rigid 10K Resin	Strength, stiffness, and thermal resistance. HDT of 218 °C @ 0.45 MPa and a tensile modulus of 10,000 MPa. Good dimensional stability Suitable for hundreds of blow molding cycles.	Design the mold to fit inside the shell holder that is placed in the blow molding machine. Rigid 10K supports fine features, including holes as small as 0.5 mm. Add surface textures to the mold in CAD for design realism.	Avoid printing supports on molding surfaces. Orient the mold halves to ensure flatness. Print thicker walls for durability under pressure.	Use mineral oil on exterior surfaces. Media blast for improved mechanical properties. Validate the printed pattern for dimensional precision.
Silicone mold making and silicone part production	Clear Resin Grey Resin	Choose Clear Resin for optical clarity and visibility into mold cavities and alignment pins during casting. Choose Grey Resin for patterns and fine details.	Different mold types necessitate differing design considerations. See the white paper Silicone Part Production With 3D Printed Tools for more information.	Print at 25–50 µm layer height for dimensional accuracy. Avoid printing supports on molding surfaces.	Thoroughly wash with IPA and post-cure. Use mineral oil on exterior surfaces. Polish outer surfaces for a transparent finish. Use mold release.
Overmolding and insert molding	Clear Resin	Transparent finish provides a visual cue for mold filling and internal hardware alignment.	Use alignment pins with a diameter of 0.2 mm Minimum 1.5 mm silicone layer thickness Place air vents to prevent trapped air	Print at 25–50 µm layer height. Avoid printing supports on molding surfaces. Place the mold stock flat on the build platform.	Thoroughly wash with IPA and post-cure. Use mineral oil on exterior surfaces. Polish outer surfaces for a transparent finish. Use mold release. Allow silicone to gently degas for at least one hour or up to one day.
Jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing aids	Nylon 12 Powder Rigid 10K Resin Tough 2000 Resin Durable Resin	Strength Stiffness and durability Impact resistance	Combine jig components to reduce the number of parts. Increase rigidity with reinforcing ribs and fillets. Accommodate alignment pins and handles.	Minimize supports on functional surfaces. Reinforce walls as necessary. Maximize packing density.	Consider further post-processing for added strength, durability, and user experience, such as electroplating or coating for SLA printed parts or media blasting for SLS printed parts. Validate the printed part against the original CAD model.
Jigs and fixtures for welding and machining	Rigid 10K Resin Nylon 12 Powder Tough 2000 Resin Fast Model Resin	Faster, more cost-effective alternative to CNC tooling High rigidity to withstand cutting forces Precise dimensions to maintain alignment Thermal and chemical resistance	Design with wall thickness of 2–3 mm. Use features like clamps, locators, and guides into a single part to simplify design. Add smooth fillets with 1–2 mm radii at stress points for strength.	Orient your parts so that critical surfaces are free of support marks. Maximize packing density.	Validate the printed part against the original CAD model. Test the functional performance of the fixture.
End-use applications	Nylon 12 Powder Nylon 11 Powder Rigid 10K Resin Tough 2000 Resin Flexible 80A Resin BioMed Clear Resin	SLA parts are isotropic, and have the highest resolution and accuracy, the clearest details, and the smoothest surface finish. SLS parts are ideal for complex geometries, including interlocking links, functional assemblies, and living hinges.	Thicken the part design to compensate for the lower impact strength.	Orient your parts so that critical surfaces are free of support marks. Maximize packing density.	Thoroughly wash with IPA and post-cure. Consider further post-processing for added strength, durability, and user experience, such as electroplating or coating for SLA printed parts or media blasting for SLS printed parts.
Ceramic coating with Cerakote	Nylon 12 Powder Tough 2000 Resin Rigid 10K Resin	Heat resistance Chemical resistance UV resistance Surface hardness and finish	Add tolerances with the desired Cerakote thickness in mind. Note any areas that must be masked for mechanical or electrical purposes.	Orient your parts so that critical surfaces are free of support marks. Consider printing a mask to eliminate taping bottlenecks.	Media blast the part with 100 grit aluminum oxide or garnet sand at 40 PSI. Wipe down printed parts with a degreaser to remove any oils or contaminants. Mask any areas of the part that you do not wish to coat in Cerakote with high-temperature masking tape or custom 3D printed covers.
Rapid tooling	Rigid 10K Resin Tough 1500 Resin Nylon 12 Powder High Temp Resin Clear Cast Resin Fast Model Resin	Validate design and material choices prior to mass production. Cost-effective for short runs. Compatible with traditional manufacturing processes.	Take the material type and printer generation into consideration, as they may have specific requirements for print success.	Orient your parts so that critical surfaces are free of support marks. Maximize packing density.	Thoroughly wash with IPA and post-cure. Consider further post-processing for added strength, durability, and user experience, such as electroplating or coating for SLA printed parts or media blasting for SLS printed parts.
Rapid prototyping	Draft Resin Fast Model Resin Flexible 80A Resin Silicone 40A Resin Grey Resin Rigid 10K Resin Tough 2000 Resin Nylon 12 Powder	Speed Accuracy Ease of iteration Suitable for visual or functional prototypes	Take the material type and printer generation into consideration, as they may have specific requirements for print success.	Use fast resins like Fast Model Resin or Draft Resin for low fidelity prototypes. Use high-detail materials like Flexible 80A Resin or Rigid 10K Resin for functional testing. Orient your parts so that critical surfaces are free of support marks. Maximize packing density.	Thoroughly wash with IPA and post-cure. Consider further post-processing for added strength, durability, and user experience, such as electroplating or coating for SLA printed parts or media blasting for SLS printed parts.
Composite part manufacturing	High Temp Resin Tough 1500 Resin Tough 2000 Resin Rigid 10K Resin Nylon 12 Powder	Smooth surface finish High stiffness and durability Thermal resistance Dimensional accuracy suitable for layup molds	Round up edges. Include locating pins and indents for molds that require precise alignment.	Print at the smallest layer height possible to optimize the resolution and demolding step. Avoid supports on molding faces for better surface finish.	Sand and polish mold surfaces. Use a release agent compatible with the composite matrix.
Sheet metal forming	Rigid 10K Resin Tough 2000 Resin Tough 1500 Resin Draft Resin Nylon 12 Powder	High tensile strength and tensile modulus, which provides good stiffness that helps the tools withstand high loads.	Take metal springiness to bend vertical walls into account. Bend sheets beyond 90° to create vertical walls. Use ramps to bend flanges beyond 90°. Leave clearance in between the two dies or the part may break.	Ensure sufficient support to prevent warpage. Print at 50–100 μm layer height.	Validate the tool with a thinner gauge material to reduce chances of breakage. Cut the sheet metal blank before forming. Use lubrication to help prevent wear on the tools.
Industrial investment casting	Clear Cast Resin	Clean burnout Minimal ash High dimensional accuracy for pattern creation	Add drain holes or lattices to assist burnout and reduce ash. Consider sprue attachment points.	Orient the model 30–45 degrees relative to the build platform. Add a full raft, using 0.75 support density and 0.30 mm touchpoints or smaller. Avoid placing support touchpoints on critical surfaces.	After an initial wash, dry parts and clear the lattice structure using compressed air. Wash the part again and thoroughly clear it with compressed air, taking care to clear out as much IPA and resin as possible from the interior. Patch drain holes.