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Prototyping Materials

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prototyping materials

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 protoyping 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

ABS-Like

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

ABS/PC

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

HDPE

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

Nylon

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

PA (Nylon) - PA2200 Nylon

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

PBT

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

PC-Like - Accura ClearVue

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

PEEK

Material	Attributes	Tensile Strength	Impact Strength	Heat Deflection	Elongation at Break	Manufacturing Process
PEEK	Chemical resistance Sterilizability Stiffness Strength					CNC Machining

PEI

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

PET

Material	Attributes	Tensile Strength	Impact Strength	Heat Deflection	Elongation at Break	Manufacturing Process
PET	Chemical resistance Stiffness Strength	88 MPa				CNC Machining

PMMA

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

POM

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

PP-Like - Accura Xtreme - Accura 25

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

PPSU

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

PSU

Material	Attributes	Tensile Strength	Impact Strength	Heat Deflection	Elongation at Break	Manufacturing Process
PSU	Corrosion resistance Mineral resistance Sterilizability Strength	88 MPa				CNC Machining

PTFE (Teflon)

Material	Attributes	Tensile Strength	Impact Strength	Heat Deflection	Elongation at Break	Manufacturing Process
PTFE (Teflon)	Chemical resistance Flame resistance Temperature resistance					CNC Machining

PVC

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

Brass

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

Carbon Steel

Material	Attributes	Tensile Strength	Elongation at Break	Hardness	Manufacturing Process
Carbon Steel	Soft	540 MPa	10%	85 HRB	CNC Machining

Copper

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

Mild Steel

Material	Attributes	Tensile Strength	Elongation at Break	Hardness	Manufacturing Process
Mild Steel	Good toughness and strength Heat treatable	380 - 540 MPa			CNC Machining

Stainless Steel

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

Client quotes

We have worked with Prototype Projects for over 10 years. They consistently turn quotes around quickly, deliver parts to short lead times and maintain high levels of product quality.

Jon Plumb

Cambridge Design Technology

I need a reliable, quick and cost effective way of getting hold of basic models. Prototype Projects understand design concepts and are cost effective.

Anthony Mayne

Wisdom Toothbrushes Limited

We have worked with Prototype Projects for nearly 30 years. In a profession where timescales are tight and quality & cost effectiveness expectations are high, they never fail to deliver.

John Hawker

Design Technology International Ltd

I thoroughly recommend Prototype Projects for low volume complex and simple projects involving a variety of production techniques, from multiple axis CNC work through to moulded parts.

Aaron Ventura

ISS Thermal Ltd

Prototype Projects combine quality products with great customer service. Their speed, flexibility and willingness to adapt to our needs is extremely important to the success of our projects.

Katy Hudson

Parker Hannifin Ltd

Prototype Projects offer us an excellent prototyping service, supplying us with high quality parts on time, at a good price – and always with a smile.

Danny Godfrey

eg technology Ltd

Prototype Projects have consistently produced parts of the highest quality and with excellent attention to detail with lead times to achieve the tightest of deadlines. No design is too difficult!

Claire McNamara
Quantex Arc Ltd

Prototype Projects excel at understanding our requirements. Their expertise and flexibility has been pivotal to meeting our medical device prototyping requirements.

David Spurling

Quanta Fluid Solutions

Thanks to Justin, Gary, Martin, Hannah and all the team who have helped deliver our recent (large!) SLS order. We put it together for a part fit check prior to sending it out for painting. Both Hugh and I have been astounded at how little we have had to fettle to get it all to fall into place, these parts stand as a testament to the quality of your work at Prototype Projects.

Rob Butcher

Sphere Medical Limited

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