3D printing material properties: density & Tg reference
Density, glass-transition (Tg), formula and character for 36 materials across FDM, resin, powder and metal.
Quick reference of density and glass-transition temperature (Tg) for 36 additive-manufacturing materials. For example, PLA has a density of 1.24 g/cm³ and ABS 1.04 g/cm³. Density drives part weight and material cost; Tg indicates the temperature at which a polymer softens. Metals show density only (Tg does not apply).
FDM filaments (19)
| Material | Formula | Density (g/cm³) | Tg (°C) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | (C₈H₈·C₄H₆·C₃H₃N)ₙ | 1.04 | 105 | the industrial standard — strong, heat-stable, requires a chamber. |
| ASA | (C₈H₈·C₃H₃N·C₅H₈O₂)ₙ | 1.07 | 105 | UV-stable ABS — for outdoor use. Same chamber, same workflow. |
| CF-Filled (PLA/PETG) | matrix + 15-20% C | 1.30 | 60 | PLA or PETG reinforced with CF fibers. matte look + extra stiffness. hardened nozzle. |
| Glow PLA | PLA + ZnS:Cu phosphor | 1.30 | 60 | PLA + phosphor. glows in the dark for 4–6 hours. abrasive — hardened nozzle. |
| HIPS | (C₈H₈)ₙ + butadiene | 1.04 | 100 | soluble support for ABS. limonene dissolves it — full design freedom. |
| Matte PLA | PLA + matting agents | 1.24 | 60 | PLA with matte look. hides layer lines. premium aesthetic for miniatures. |
| Nylon (PA12) | (C₁₂H₂₃NO)ₙ | 1.01 | 50 | polyamide — strong, wear-resistant. Hygroscopic — 12 h drying mandatory. |
| PA-CF | (C₁₂H₂₃NO)ₙ + 20% C | 1.20 | 50 | nylon + carbon fiber — avionics, motorsport. Light, stiff, expensive. |
| PC | (C₁₅H₁₆O₂)ₙ | 1.20 | 147 | polycarbonate — optical clarity + 130°C HDT. Requires 270°C+. |
| PC-CF | (C₁₅H₁₆O₂)ₙ + 20% C | 1.30 | 147 | PC + carbon fiber. Industrial strength + 130°C HDT. For tooling and semicon. |
| PEEK | (C₁₉H₁₂O₃)ₙ | 1.30 | 143 | super-polymer. 250°C HDT. Aerospace, medical. Requires a specialized printer. |
| PEI / Ultem | (C₃₇H₂₄O₆N₂)ₙ | 1.27 | 217 | aerospace polymer. 217°C HDT, fire-retardant, biocompatible. requires a €25k+ printer. |
| PETG | (C₁₀H₈O₄·C₆H₁₀O)ₙ | 1.27 | 80 | the sweet spot between PLA and ABS — food-safe variants, no warping. |
| PLA | (C₃H₄O₂)ₙ | 1.24 | 60 | the starter material — bio-based, easy, cheap, no chamber required. |
| PP | (C₃H₆)ₙ | 0.90 | -10 | polypropylene. chemically inert, flexible. low bed adhesion — PP tape required. |
| PVA | (C₂H₄O)ₙ | 1.19 | 75 | water-soluble support for PLA. water + soap — no chemistry. |
| Silk PLA | PLA + gloss additives | 1.24 | 55 | PLA with gloss additives. satin finish. more brittle than standard. |
| TPU | (C₂₇H₃₆N₂O₁₀)ₙ | 1.21 | -40 | the flexible elastomer — Shore 85A–95A. Direct-drive mandatory. |
| Wood Composite | PLA + 30% wood | 1.20 | 60 | PLA + wood dust. looks and sands like wood. nozzle ≥0.5 mm. |
Resins (SLA/DLP/MSLA) (7)
| Material | Formula | Density (g/cm³) | Tg (°C) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castable Resin | wax + acrylate hybrid | 1.05 | 35 | jewelry + lost-wax casting. burns out without ash. €60–120/L premium. |
| Dental Resin | biocompatible methacrylate | 1.15 | 75 | biocompatible ISO 10993-1. dental, medical. €100–300/L. |
| Flexible Resin | urethane acrylate | 1.10 | 25 | rubbery resin. shore 60–80A. gaskets, soft parts. trivially fragile after cure. |
| High-Temp Resin | modified methacrylate | 1.18 | 200 | up to 250°C HDT. engineering prototypes under heat. requires heat post-cure. |
| Standard Resin | aromatic acrylates | 1.10 | 60 | universal SLA resin. prototypes, models, fine details. €30/L. |
| Tough Resin | modified acrylate | 1.13 | 65 | engineering resin. strength + impact resistance. brackets, snap-fits, tools. |
| Water-Washable Resin | water-soluble acrylate | 1.10 | 55 | no IPA. wash with water + soap. €40/L. lower toxicity. |
Powders (SLS) (4)
| Material | Formula | Density (g/cm³) | Tg (°C) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA11 (Bio-Nylon) | (C₁₁H₂₁NO)ₙ | 1.04 | 48 | bio-base PA12 alternative. tougher, more flexible. €120/kg. |
| PA12 (Nylon 12) | (C₁₂H₂₃NO)ₙ | 1.01 | 46 | SLS standard. functional parts without supports. €60/kg powder. |
| PEBA Powder | PA-PEG block copolymer | 1.01 | -50 | PEBA — block copolymer of PA + PEG. shoe outsoles, sports. €100–150/kg. |
| TPU Powder | urethane block copolymer | 1.20 | -30 | SLS flexible. shore 90–95A. footwear, medical, sports. €120/kg. |
Metals (DMLS/SLM) (6)
| Material | Formula | Density (g/cm³) | Tg (°C) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlSi10Mg | Al + 10% Si + 0.4% Mg | 2.67 | – | aluminum DMLS/SLM. lightweight, conductive. €300–400/kg powder. |
| CoCr (Cobalt-Chrome) | Co60-65% + Cr28-30% + Mo5-7% | 8.30 | – | cobalt-chrome. dental implants, wear-resistant parts. ISO 22674. €300–450/kg. |
| Copper (Cu) | Cu (>99.5%) | 8.96 | – | pure copper. electrical conductivity, heat exchange, induction coils. €350–500/kg. |
| Inconel 718 | Ni55% + Cr19% + Fe17% + Nb5% | 8.19 | – | nickel alloy. turbines, aerospace, rocket. up to 700°C operation. €400–600/kg. |
| Stainless Steel 316L | Fe + Cr18% + Ni12% + Mo2.5% | 7.99 | – | corrosion-resistant stainless. medical, marine, chemical. €150–200/kg. |
| Ti-6Al-4V | Ti + 6% Al + 4% V | 4.43 | – | titanium alloy. aerospace, implants, racing. €600–800/kg powder. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the density of PLA?
PLA has a density of about 1.24 g/cm³: one of the reasons it is easy and economical to print.
What is the glass-transition temperature (Tg) of ABS?
ABS has a Tg of about 105°C, which is why it needs a heated chamber and resists higher temperatures than PLA.
Why does material density matter in 3D printing?
Density determines the printed weight of a part (weight = volume × density), which directly drives material cost and affects mechanical behaviour.
Compiled by К. Georgiev ✦ · ART PRINTING 3D LTD