DeutschPLA
For quick form models and visual prototypes.
- Advantages
- Easy to print, detailed and usually affordable.
- Limitations
- Rather brittle; limited heat and UV resistance.
- Example
- Visual model or initial fit check for a housing.
Find the right material
AVAILABLE AT UNIKE
PEEK, PPS and multi-material printing.
Our capabilities for engineering prototypes, functional parts and jigs include PEEK, PPS and multi-material printing. We match rigid and flexible functions, including combinations involving TPU or EPDM, to the part and its operating conditions.
KNOWLEDGE / MATERIAL SELECTION
Stiff does not automatically mean impact-resistant. Heat-resistant does not automatically mean suitable for sustained loads. Explore the main material families here.
The examples illustrate possible applications. Properties and suitability depend on the specific material, process, orientation and post-processing. Currently available materials are listed in the configurator.
Filaments for FFF / FDM
PETG
A versatile starting point for engineering prototypes.
- Advantages
- Tough, good layer adhesion and relatively low warping.
- Limitations
- Stringing and difficult support removal; fine details can suffer.
- Example
- Mounting bracket or simple functional housing.
ASA
Useful for outdoor applications.
- Advantages
- Good UV and weather resistance; a tough engineering material.
- Limitations
- Warping during printing; a controlled build chamber and suitable extraction are needed.
- Example
- Outdoor housing or sensor cover.
ABS
An established thermoplastic for engineering applications.
- Advantages
- Tough and more heat-resistant than typical PLA.
- Limitations
- Less UV-resistant than ASA; significant warping and emissions during printing.
- Example
- Housing prototype for indoor use.
PA / Nylon
For tough functional parts exposed to loads.
- Advantages
- Wear-resistant and load-bearing; thin sections can be flexible.
- Limitations
- Moisture absorption affects processing and properties. PA6, PA11 and PA12 differ.
- Example
- Sliding guide, snap-fit part or gear prototype.
PC / PC blends
For higher mechanical and thermal demands.
- Advantages
- Suitable grades offer high toughness and heat resistance.
- Limitations
- Consider demanding processing, warping and moisture. Blends do not have identical material properties.
- Example
- Loaded fixture or housing near a heat source.
TPU / flexible filaments
When a part needs to flex.
- Advantages
- Elastic, wear-resistant and useful for damping structures.
- Limitations
- Slower, more demanding printing; hardness and geometry determine compliance.
- Example
- Protective bumper, grip or flexible connector.
Fibre-filled polymers
For example, PA-CF or PC-CF containing short carbon fibres.
- Advantages
- Often greater stiffness and dimensional stability.
- Limitations
- Abrasive; assess layer adhesion and fracture behaviour separately. Not a replacement for continuous-fibre composites.
- Example
- Stiff assembly jig or dimensionally stable bracket.
Harze für SLA / MSLA
Harzdruck ist bei UNIKE verfügbar. Das konkrete Harz wählen wir passend zu Funktion, Belastung und Nachhärtung. Die folgenden Materialfamilien geben Orientierung; die geeignete Sorte stimmen wir für dein Bauteil ab. „ABS-ähnlich“ beschreibt ein Eigenschaftsprofil, keine identische chemische Zusammensetzung.
Standard and model resins
- Advantages
- Fine contours and smooth surfaces.
- Limitations
- Not automatically suitable for impacts or cyclic loads.
- Example
- Design model, dimensional check or fit check.
Tough / functional resins
- Advantages
- Formulations tailored for impact resistance or compliance.
- Limitations
- Compare stiffness, fatigue behaviour and temperature limits for each grade.
- Example
- Functional housing, clip or fixture.
Clear / transparent resins
- Advantages
- A view of internal geometry and flow paths.
- Limitations
- Optical clarity often requires sanding or polishing; optical lens quality is not automatic.
- Example
- Visual model of a channel or transparent housing.
Flexible / elastic resins
- Advantages
- Rubber-like behaviour for compliant parts.
- Limitations
- Shore hardness alone does not fully describe recovery, tear resistance or ageing.
- Example
- Grip, soft insert or seal prototype.
Rigid / stiff resins
- Advantages
- High stiffness for dimensionally stable tools and jigs.
- Limitations
- Stiff does not mean impact-resistant. Check notches and impact loads.
- Example
- Inspection gauge or stiff tool holder.
High Temp / heat-resistant resins
- Advantages
- Specialised resistance to heat deflection.
- Limitations
- The HDT in a data sheet is not a universal continuous service temperature. Load and post-curing matter.
- Example
- Test adapter exposed to heat or tooling prototype.
Powder materials compared
PA11 / PA12
- Advantages
- Functional parts with complex geometries; PA11 can be particularly ductile.
- Limitations
- Consider surface finish, moisture and the properties of the specific process.
- Example
- Complex housing or bracket with integrated functions.
TPU powder
- Advantages
- Flexible lattices and complex elastic geometries without conventional supports.
- Limitations
- Depowdering and surface texture affect the application.
- Example
- Damping lattice or elastic protective element.
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How to prepare your material selection.
Describe the operating environment, maximum temperature, loads, moisture or chemicals and desired surface finish. For moving parts, load cycles and expected service life are helpful.
Food contact, medical and safety-related applications require a separate suitability assessment. A material family alone does not demonstrate suitability.
Updated: 13 September 2026. Qualitative guidance based on the linked manufacturer information. Examples illustrate possible applications; specific materials are not automatically recommended or ordered here.
EXPLORE THE ENGINEERING
Design for both material and print direction
Loads, temperature and layer structure affect part function. Consider material and design together for engineering polymer parts, including PEEK, PPS and multi-material solutions.