When it comes to 3D printing, material selection can make or break a project, especially in high-temperature applications. If you’ve read our post on flame retardent materials – you know we’ve talked about the risks in material selection before. Selecting the wrong material can lead to failed parts and, sometimes, even risky situations. But picking the right material? That sets you up for success, ensuring your parts perform exactly as expected. At PADT, we prioritize matching materials to specific project requirements to ensure reliable, high-quality results.
In this post, we’ll explore two of our in-house 3D printing technologies, FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and P3 DLP (Programmable PhotoPolymerization), and compare our high-temperature material options available for each. You’ll get an overview of the strengths, limitations, and ideal applications for each material, helping you choose the right technology for your project.
FDM Overview
FDM, which most people are familiar with, builds parts by melting thermoplastics layer by layer. FDM also offers a broad range of high-temperature material options, making it very popular in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.
Here’s a closer look at some of the high-temperature FDM materials we offer:
| Material | HDT (°F) @ 264 psi (ASTM D648) | HDT (°C) @ 264 psi (ASTM D648) | Tg (°F) (ASTM D7426) | Tg (°C) (ASTM D7426) |
| PLA | 124 | 51 | 145 | 63 |
| ABS-M30 | 204 | 96 | 226 | 108 |
| Ultem 9085 | 307 | 153 | 367 | 186 |
| Ultem 1010 | 415 | 213 | 419 | 215 |
| Antero 800NA | 297 | 147 | 300 | 147 |
| Antero 840CN03 | 306 | 153 | 316 | 158 |
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a biodegradable plastic and very popular in FDM printing due to its low cost and availability, especially in this economy. However, PLA has a lower heat resistance compared to the other materials, with a heat deflection (HDT) of 124°F (51°C). Therefore, it’s best suited for prototypes, low-stress applications, and any projects where thermal performance isn’t life or death.
ABS-M30 is a little more versatile than PLA, offering higher impact resistance and better durability. With an HDT of 204°F (96°C) and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 226°F (108°C), ABS-M30 is often used for functional prototypes, manufacturing tools, and end-use parts in automotive and consumer products where thermal performance and mechanical strength are required. We also offer ABS in several colors: Natural, White, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray.
Ultem 9085 and Ultem 1010 are known for their high strength, excellent chemical resistance, and flame retardancy (UL94-V0 rated), making Ultem ideal for aerospace and automotive applications, where parts must meet strict safety and performance standards. When choosing between the two, consider:
- Ultem 9085 offers high strength and toughness, with an HDT of 307°F (153°C), making it ideal for parts that need to handle heavy mechanical loads and higher temperatures.
- Ultem 1010 offers a higher HDT of 415°F (213°C), as well as superior chemical resistance. This makes it an excellent choice for industrial-grade applications.
Antero, also known as Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) polymers, is known for its superior thermal and mechanical performance as well as Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) resistance for CN03. When choosing between these two, consider:
- Antero 800NA, the base material in the PEKK family, has an HDT of 297°F (147°C), providing excellent thermal properties as well as mechanical. This makes it an ideal choice for both industrial and aerospace applications – check out this article from Stratasys on Boeing certifying 800NA for aerospace parts!
- Antero 840CN03 adds onto this with an added 3% carbon nanotubes by weight, enhancing its ESD properties. It also boasts a higher HDT of 330°F (166°C) and improved electrical conductivity, making it perfect for applications in electronics, aerospace, and defense where both thermal stability and ESD resistance are necessary.
P3 DLP Overview:
P3 uses UV-curable resins, an evolution of Digital Light Processing 3D printing. Light, temperature, pull forces, and pneumatics are tightly controlled during the printing process, resulting in injection-molded-like surfaces with amazing dimensional accuracy. It’s well suited for producing parts with fine details and tight tolerances.
Below is a comparison of our high-temperature P3 materials offered at PADT:
| Material | HDT (°F) @264 psi (ASTM D648) | HDT (°C) @ 264 psi (ASTM D648) | UTS in MPa (ASTM D638) | Elongation at Break |
| BASF RG3280 | 324 | 162 | 85 | 0.7% |
| BASF 9400B FR | 305 | 152 | 74 | 2% |
| P3 Deflect 120 | 200 | 93 | 100 | 4% |
| Loctite 3955 FST | 417 | 214 | 67 | 2.1% |
| Mechnano CLiteB | – | – | 65 | 3.2% |
BASF RG3280 is designed for applications that require both high heat resistance and mechanical strength. With an HDT of 324°F (162°C) and an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 85 MPa, it’s a good choice for parts that need to withstand high mechanical loads and elevated temperatures. However, its low elongation at break (0.7%) means it is better suited for rigid, load-bearing applications rather than those requiring flexibility. Thus, making it ideal for functional prototypes and end-use parts in industries like automotive.
BASF 9400B FR is a flame retardant material specifically designed for applications requiring both heat resistance and compliance with fire safety regulations. With an HDT of 305°F (152°C), it performs well in high-temperature environments. Although it doesn’t have the same mechanical strength as BASF RG3280, its UL94-V0 flammability rating makes it ideal for industries such as aerospace and transportation. Also, to note, its elongation at break of 4% offers more flexibility than some of the other high-temperature materials.
P3 Deflect 120 has an HDT of 200°F (93°C) and a tensile strength of 100 MPa, offering a good mix of strength and heat resistance. It’s a good option for functional parts that require higher mechanical performance while also operating in higher-heat temps. It’s 4% elongation at break also provides some flexibility, which can be useful in parts subject to mechanical stresses. This makes it a good choice for end-use applications in electronics housings and industrial tooling.
Loctite 3955 FST is an excellent material for high-heat and flame-resistant applications, with an HDT of 417°F (214°C)—the highest among the P3 materials. Its combination of high thermal resistance and low smoke and toxicity emissions, including a fire safety rating of UL94-V0 makes it an excellent choice for parts used in the aerospace, transportation, and rail industries. With an elongation at break of 2.1%, it’s more rigid than some of the other P3 materials, making it ideal for applications where parts must maintain their shape and integrity under both high temperature and flammability requirements.
Mechnano CLiteB uses carbon nanotube (CNT) technology to enhance mechanical performance and electrical conductivity. Although it doesn’t have specific heat deflection data available, it features a strength of 65 MPa and a 3.2% elongation at break, providing a balance of rigidity and flexibility. Since it’s also suitable for electrostatic discharge (ESD) applications, protecting sensitive electronic components, it’s great for electronics, aerospace, and industrial applications.
FDM VS P3
Now that we’ve discussed both separately when choosing between FDM and P3, consider these two factors:
- Surface Quality and Detail
- If your project requires high-resolution details and a smooth surface finish, P3 DLP is the better choice. P3 offers superior precision, producing parts with fine features and injection-molded-like quality with minimal post-processing. This makes it ideal for aesthetically pleasing prototypes, class I medical devices, and electronics housings, where accuracy is key.
- In contrast, FDM typically results in a more textured finish due to its layer-by-layer process. While it offers excellent strength and durability, its lower resolution means finer details may not be as sharp. However, FDM is a great option for functional prototypes where surface smoothness is less important, but strength is essential.
- Build Size and Quantity:
- For larger parts or high-volume production, FDM is often the better option. With a build size of up to 36” x 24” x 36”, it’s ideal for automotive components, tooling, and industrial prototypes. FDM is also more cost-effective for large-scale projects, especially with our standard materials like PLA or ABS-M30.
- On the other hand, P3 DLP excels at producing smaller, highly detailed parts. Its more limited build size up to 7.5” x 4.25” x 14.5” is perfect for smaller batch runs in industries like aerospace, medical, or electronics, where precision and part quality are critical.
What Now?
Ultimately, the choice between FDM and P3 DLP depends on the specific requirements of your project, so if you’re ready to get a quote now, you can submit your files on our site 3D Printing Factory. Or if you’re still unsure which technology/material to choose, please reach out to our team at 3dprint@padtinc.com for expert guidance. We’ll help evaluate your project’s needs and recommend the best material to ensure success.
And stay tuned for more material comparisons!
