Prototype Projects stocks a wide range of prototype manufacturing materials including multiple grades of thermoplastics and metals.
Our aim is to provide you with the right combination of technology and material to simulate the properties you require from your finished part, whether it be for display and presentation or fit, form and functional testing.
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What should you consider when choosing a prototyping material?
- Mechanical properties
- Manufacturing characteristics
- Appearance
- Cost
Prototype Projects can advise on material selection for every prototyping technology.
We offer materials to fulfil a wide range of properties and characteristics, from specialist temperature resistance to materials certified as bio-compatible for use with medical or dental products. Other materials supplied include those certified ‘food safe’ meaning they can be used for storage of food or drink.
What mechanical properties are required of the prototyping material?
The main factors determining material choice include mechanical characteristics such as stress, heat resistance and elasticity of the part.
Here are the most common factors:
Strength- Elasticity
- Hardness
- Durability
- Temperature resistance
- Transparency
- Moisture resistance
- Impact resistance
Other factors to consider in material choice include the material’s suitability for manufacturing and how close to the actual material the prototyping material is.
Please note, these are general guidelines. In all cases if you do not find a material you are looking for or need guidance, please contact us. We are always happy to help.
Plastic materials
ABS| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Cosmetic appearance Dimensional stability Impact resistant | 34.4-82.7 MPa | 160-400 J/m | 60-93.3 °C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS-Like | Accuracy Durability Impact resistance | 45 - 53MPa | 45.9 - 54.5°C | 3D Printing - SLA |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS/PC | Cosmetic appearance Dimensional stability Impact resistance | 44.1-124.1 MPa | 427-640 | 60-98.8 °C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE | Durability Impact resistant Stiffness | 19.9-31 MPa | 179 kJ/m² | 54.4-121.1°C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon | Rigidity Strength Temperature resistance | 41.3-199.9 MPa | 106-427 J/m | 82.2-176.6°C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA (Nylon) - PA2200 Nylon | Rigidity Strength Temperature resistance | 46 - 48 MPa | 74 J/m | 48 - 188°C | 4 -15% | 3D Printing - SLS |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBT | Chemical resistance Dimensional stability Low moisture absorption | 41.3-120.6 MPa | 53-160 J/m | 93.3-215.5 °C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | Dimensional stability Impact resistance | 62-158.5 MPa | 106-960 J/m | 65.5-148.8 °C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC-Like - Accura ClearVue | Accuracy Stiffness Temperature tolerance | 57 - 61 | 3D Printing - SLA |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEEK | Chemical resistance Sterilizability Stiffness Strength | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | Heat resistance Impact resistance Strength | 96.5-193 MPa | 53-106 J/m | 176.6-215.5 °C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET | Chemical resistance Stiffness Strength | 88 MPa | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMMA | Optical clarity Rigidity | 60 MPa | 18 kJ/m² | 105°C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POM | Chemical resistance | 41.3-151.6 MPa | 40-106 J/m | 82.2-148.8 °C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP | Chemical resistance Solvent resistance | 26.8-127.5 MPa | 26-293 J/m | 48.8-148.8 °C | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP-Like - Accura Xtreme / Accura 25 | Accuracy Durability Flexibility | 3D Printing - SLA |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPSU | High deflection temperature Resistance to environmental stress cracking Excellent thermal stability Good electrical properties | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSU | Corrosion resistance Mineral resistance Sterilizability Strength | 88 MPa | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PTFE (Teflon) | Chemical resistance Flame resistance Temperature resistance | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Impact Strength | Heat Deflection | Elongation at Break | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | Chemical resistance Corrosion resistance Flame resistance | 55 MPa | 72°C | 20% | CNC Machining |
Metal materials
Aluminium| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Hardness | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Corrosion resistance High strength-to-weight ratio Temperature resistance | 296 - 490 MPa | 8 -6% | 55-87 HRB | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Hardness | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass | Chemical resistance Ductility Strength | 310-421 MPa | 23-25% | 32-36 HRB | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Hardness | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | Soft | 540 MPa | 10% | 85 HRB | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Hardness | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Corrosion resistance Electrical conductivity | 200 - 360 MPa | 5-50% | 40-110 HV | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Hardness | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild Steel | Good toughness and strength Heat treatable | 380 - 540 MPa | CNC Machining |
| Material | Attributes | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break | Hardness | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Corrosion resistance Crack resistance | 66-210 ksi | 5-56% | 35-101 HRC | CNC Machining |
