If you think choosing a 3D printing material is just about color or strength, think again. Heat is the silent killer of 3D printed parts, and understanding how your material deals with thermal stress can mean the difference between a successful launch and a meltdown—literally.
Today, we’re digging into the 3D Printing Thermal Properties that define what your parts can really handle. If you’re engineering anything more serious than a desktop toy, this is information you can’t afford to miss.
Thermoplastics: The Gold Standard
Thermoplastics are the bread and butter of 3D printing. They melt when heated, harden when cooled, and are found in technologies like Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF).
- Nylon 12 (MJF) is a rock-solid choice for production parts, with a melting point of 187°C and an HDT of 175°C at low stress. It’s tough, chemical-resistant, and dimensionally stable—perfect for enclosures, brackets, and functional parts.
- Estane TPU (MJF) brings flexibility into the mix. It can stretch, absorb impact, and handle short bursts up to 200°C. Just don’t leave it baking under constant load—its long-term temperature limit is around 120°C.
- ABS (FDM) offers decent heat resistance at everyday operating conditions (HDT of 96°C) and is easy to print. It’s great for prototyping and low-heat structural parts but can sag if things get too hot.
- Polycarbonate (FDM) ups the game with an HDT of 138°C. It’s tough, clear, and made to survive impacts and higher heat loads without blinking.
- Ultem 9085 (FDM) is the undisputed heavyweight. With an HDT of 176.9°C and aerospace-grade flame resistance, it’s the go-to when failure isn’t an option.
- Nylon 12 CF (FDM) throws carbon fiber into the mix for rigidity but pays the price in thermal performance. HDT drops to 58°C. Great for drones, bad for ovens.
Thermosets: Stability at a Price
Stereolithography (SLA) resins are built differently. They cure permanently, which means better thermal stability—up to a point.
- General Purpose Acrylic looks fantastic but isn’t built for heavy thermal lifting, topping out around 100–115°C at the glass transition.
- Digital ABS mimics the ruggedness of injection-molded ABS with an HDT around 90°C. It’s a smart pick for functional prototyping under modest heat and load.
- X Pro 9400 B FR specializes in flame retardance. With a 175°C glass transition and UL-94 V0 certification, it’s ideal for electronic housings that might see heat spikes.
- High Rebound Elastomer doesn’t exactly play in the thermal league—think cushioning and shock absorption, not high-temp machinery.
Metal 3D Printing: When You Really Need to Turn Up the Heat
When polymer parts just can’t cut it, metal 3D printing steps in.
- 316L Stainless Steel brings corrosion resistance and a melting point of roughly 1370°C to the table. Perfect for high-temperature, high-pressure environments.
- 17-4 PH Stainless Steel ups the ante with added hardness and thermal strength, clocking in with a melting point near 1400°C. Essential for aerospace, medical, and tooling applications.
Metals don’t just resist heat—they embrace it.
Choosing Smart: Thermal Properties Matter
Heat deflection, glass transition, and melting point are more than specs on a datasheet—they define where and how your part can live and work.
A tough, high-temp material like Ultem 9085 might be overkill for a prototype, but essential for a part flying in a jet. Likewise, a flexible TPU will outperform rigid plastics in vibration-heavy systems, but crumble if left near a hot motor for too long.
Choosing the right material isn’t just technical—it’s strategic.
If you want parts that survive the real world, not just the build plate, it’s smart to partner with a professional 3D printing service that knows the stakes.
Ready to build parts that don’t fold under pressure? Start your next project with the experts at rapidmade.com.
