Material selection in one table
Relative cost is per cubic centimetre of finished part, CPU-grade comparisons only - a titanium part and a resin part are rarely interchangeable, but buyers still need a number.
| Material | Key figures and relative cost |
|---|---|
| Titanium Ti-6Al-4V | 4.43 g/cm3 · 900-1,000 MPa tensile · biocompatible · $$$$ |
| Stainless steel 316L | 8.0 g/cm3 · 550-650 MPa · corrosion resistant · $$$ |
| Aluminium AlSi10Mg | 2.68 g/cm3 · 300-400 MPa · thermally conductive · $$ |
| Tool steel 1.2709 | 8.1 g/cm3 · 1,100 MPa after aging · 50-54 HRC · $$$$ |
| SLA resin | 1.1-1.2 g/cm3 · 50-80 MPa · 0.05 mm detail · $ |
| PA12 nylon | 1.01 g/cm3 · 45-50 MPa · tough, snap-fit friendly · $$ |
Titanium Ti-6Al-4V
Best strength-to-weight and biocompatibility. Aerospace, medical, eyewear, premium jewellery.
Titanium specs → MetalStainless steel 316L
Corrosion resistance and a surface that polishes to mirror. Marine, food, jewellery, hardware.
316L specs → MetalAluminium AlSi10Mg
Light, thermally conductive, cheapest metal per part. Heat sinks, housings, brackets.
Aluminium specs → MetalTool steel 1.2709
Hardenable to 50-54 HRC. Mould inserts, conformal cooling, wear parts.
Tool steel specs → PolymerSLA resin & PA12 nylon
Highest detail, lowest cost. Masters, models, snap-fits, functional plastic parts.
Polymer specs → FinishingSurface finishing
PVD gold and black, sand blasting, vibration polishing, mirror polishing.
Finishing options →Three questions that settle it
1. Does the part carry load or heat? If yes, it is a metal part. Resin and PA12 are for form, fit and appearance, not for a bracket that holds 40 kg.
2. Does it need to look premium? 316L and titanium take a mirror polish and a PVD coating that holds its colour. Aluminium prints well but is softer and shows handling marks sooner.
3. What is the volume? Below about 50 pieces, printing usually beats machining or moulding. Above a few thousand, the economics flip and we will tell you so rather than take the order.
Get your quote within 48 hours
Upload a 3D file (STL, STEP, OBJ, 3MF) or just a photo / drawing. An engineer checks printability, flags anything that will not print, and replies with a clear price breakdown within 48 hours. From one prototype to 1,000+ pieces.
Prefer email? dimension3dHAN@gmail.com