These are the factors to consider when making parts with industrial grade filament.

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]As a 3D printing business owner, this is how I select the correct material for a part. The first thing I need to know is what the part needs to accomplish. Is it consumer part that's going to be handheld? Is it going to be a jig or fixture that's going to go in a milling machine? What's the part need to do?

[00:00:13]Does it need to be strong and rigid? It needs Does it need to be squishy and flexible? Knowing the mission of the part is critical. Then we'll look at heat resistance. If we're below 100° C, we have a wide variety of materials to choose from. Go up up above 100° C, we have a few less. Once you get above 180° C for heat resistance, we really talk about just a select few. So, knowing the heat resistance and heat deflection temperature you need will significantly impact our choices. Now looking at chemical resistance, what does it need to be resistant to? Water and salt water? Does it need to be resistant to those hydrocarbons and other fluids we'd find in automotive? What about gases and oils? Or maybe even solvents in a lab scenario. What about radiation? UV resistance is another big one cuz most plastics are weak. And so, if this part's going to be outside all the time, knowing that is going to be important.

[00:01:06]What about gamma radiation? We also have materials that are resistant to gamma rays and other forms of radiation. And that's why energy is such a proponent of thermoplastic. Does the part need to be flame retardant? Once again, we have plastics that are UL 94 V0 rated, meaning they self-extinguish, they off-gas very little. Does the material need to be electrically insulating? This not only pack impacts the material, but whether we can have carbon fiber or glass fiber in the material. Are there other safety guidelines or standards your part needs to fall under? Is there certain tolerances it needs to be within? And we need to measure those tolerances in post. Are you only allowed to choose from a select few materials?

[00:01:46]Do you need lot numbers of the materials we use? All these other factors play a significant role on the material we pick for the job. If you're interested in learning more about industrial grade filament, or you need a part made in industrial grade materials, reach out, let me know. I'm here to help.