FDM 3D Printing | Material Data Sheets

What Are Material Data Sheets (MDS)?  

A Material Data Sheet (MDS), also known as a Technical Data Sheet (TDS), is the technical reference document that gives the essential specifications of a material. This includes:  

1. Mechanical Properties: for example, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, elongation at break, flexural strength, and impact resistance.
   
   
2. Thermal Properties: for example, heat deflection temperature (HDT), continuous service temperature, and maximum short-term use temperature.
   
   
3. Physical Properties: for example, density, melt flow index, and material form.
   
   
4. Electrical Properties (where applicable): for example, insulation resistance and surface resistance.
   
   
5. Processing and Printing Parameters: for example, recommended extruder temperature, build platform temperature, printing speed, cooling settings, and drying requirements.
   
   
6. Application and Handling Notes: for example, typical use cases, shrinkage behavior, warping considerations, and environmental or setup requirements.
   
   
7. Test Conditions and Limitations: information on testing standards, specimen conditions, and notes indicating that actual part performance may vary based on print settings and geometry.

The data is typically derived from standardized testing methods such as ASTM or ISO and serves as a primary technical reference for engineers.

Uses of Material Data Sheets  

Engineers, designers, and procurement teams rely on these detailed documents for important decision-making:  

• 1. Design Validation & Qualification: Using specified properties to check that the chosen material meets the structural, thermal, and functional needs of the intended application.  
  
  
• 2. Manufacturing Process Optimization: Setting material limitations and requirements, such as thermal thresholds and tolerance ranges, to ensure effective and consistent production.  
  
  
• 3. Procurement and Quality Assurance:  Offering a measurable technical baseline for comparing materials, qualifying suppliers, and checking incoming material quality. 
   

We have compiled the Fused Deposition Modeling material technical summaries below. The complete Material Data Sheet (MDS) for each material is available for direct download.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Materials Overview

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing process that builds parts layer by layer using melted thermoplastic filament. This technology is widely used for prototyping, tooling, jigs and fixtures, and end-use parts, where cost efficiency and material performance are important. Engineers, designers, and manufacturers turn to FDM for its balance of reliability and versatility.

FDM 3D Materials 

1. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS is a tough, impact-resistant thermoplastic with strong temperature stability. It’s commonly used for functional prototypes and production parts that must perform well in different environments, such as automotive parts or electronic housings. 

[Download Material Data Sheet]

2. ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)

ASA is similar to ABS but offers better UV resistance, making it suitable for outdoor use. It holds up well in sunlight and maintains its color, which is ideal for enclosures, housings, and other applications exposed to the elements.

[Download Material Data Sheet]

3. PLA (Polylactic Acid)

PLA is a plant-based, biodegradable plastic that is easy to print with and works well for visual models. It’s ideal for concept designs and prototypes where appearance is more important than mechanical strength.

[Download Material Data Sheet]

4. PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

PETG combines the strength of ABS with the ease of printing of PLA. It’s resistant to chemicals and impact, with minimal shrinkage, making it suitable for mechanical parts, containers, and protective parts.

[Download Material Data Sheet]

5. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

TPU is a flexible, rubber-like material with strong abrasion resistance. It remains elastic across a range of temperatures and is used for seals, gaskets, grips, and other parts that need to flex without tearing.

[Download Material Data Sheet]

6. TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)

TPE is soft, flexible, and shock-absorbent. It works well as a rubber substitute and is used in applications that require vibration dampening or cushioning, like grippers, mounts, or soft-touch parts.

​[Download Material Data Sheet]