Ultimaker uses functional, analytical and tracking cookies. Tracking cookies enhance your experience on our website and may also collect your personal data outside of Ultimaker websites. If you agree with the use of tracking cookies, click “I agree, continue browsing”. You can withdraw your consent at any time. If you do not consent with the use of tracking cookies, click “Refuse”. You can find more information about cookies on our Privacy and Cookie Policy page.

materials-foundation-series

3D printing materials: What you should know first

Adam Kohut
Adam Kohut  
  • Applications

In part one of our three-part series on 3D printing materials, we will cover fused filament fabrication (FFF), Ultimaker’s material range, and the importance of an open-filament system.

What is FFF?

FFF, or fused filament fabrication, is a process used in 3D printing in which an object is created bottom-up, layer by layer, with each layer consisting of melted filament which ‘fuses’ to the layer beneath it. This filament is typically made of thermoplastic.

FFF is the most widely used form of 3D printing; it represents the largest installed base of 3D printers globally. Other forms exist, of course, each with unique advantages and disadvantages – but all Ultimaker 3D printers use FFF, as it is ideal for printing prototypes, tools, and end-use parts. Furthermore, the FFF process is easy to maintain, and requires little to no post-processing nor the use of harsh chemicals.

FFF-printing-process-Ultimaker
The FFF 3D printing process

The material pyramid

It goes without saying that 3D printing has a variety of use cases and applications – and has its place in industries and environments such as automotive, aviations, manufacturing, architecture, engineering, and more. This variety, however, means that the right 3D printer is able to print with a wide range of materials. This, too, is one of the benefits of FFF. Ultimaker 3D printers target three material ranges:

  • Commodity

  • Engineering

  • High-performance 

Commodity materials, which include PLA and ABS, are commonly used for product development or model-making. Engineering materials such as PA, TPU, and PET-G, are used for applications that could potentially better serve the functional requirements of mechanical applications and end-use products. High-performance materials, meanwhile, including PEEK and PEI, are best-suited for applications that provide mechanical properties suitable to meet the highest requirements. 

It is important to remember that every material has unique mechanical properties, strengths, and limitations. Before going ahead with any print job, consider these mechanical properties and choose the material that best fits the job at hand. The below pyramid represents an overview of the material range. Typically, the higher a material is on the pyramid, the better its mechanical properties. Take a look:

material-alliance-portfolio-pyramid

The importance of being open

All Ultimaker 3D printers feature an open-filament system, which means engineers, designers, and manufacturers – and any other Ultimaker user – can select the best material for the job, no matter what. Whether it is strong mechanical properties, heat, UV, or chemical resistance, flexibility, flame retardancy or ESD-safe – with Ultimaker, it is simply a matter of selecting the material with the required properties to print the desired application and using its profile on the Marketplace. 

Materials are a cornerstone of the Ultimaker economy. Much of this is thanks to the Ultimaker Material Alliance, through which we partner with material suppliers around the world to offer our users the best chance at simplified workflows, ‘always-on’ productivity, and maximized return on investment. 

Be sure to look out for the second in our 3D printing materials series, in which we will take a deep dive into material categories, detailing their properties, industry applications, use cases, and more. Can’t wait? Learn more about Ultimaker materials and the Ultimaker Material Alliance by visiting our Materials page.  




Discover Ultimaker materials

Read more blogs

3D printing materials: Filaments and filament production

3D printing materials: Filaments and filament production

In the final of our three-part series on 3D printing materials, we take a look at types of printing filament, additives and blends that give materials mechanical properties, as well as provide a brief overview as to filament production.

  • Applications
cura 4 5 OG

Introducing Ultimaker Cura 4.5

Ultimaker Cura 4.5 is officially live. The latest version of Ultimaker’s open-source slicing software offers useful new features, and coincides with the launch of the improved Ultimaker Marketplace.

  • News
materials-og

3D printing materials: Types, categories, and use cases

In part two of our three-part series on 3D printing materials, we take a look at material types, categories, and use cases – as well as a brief overview of composite and bio-based, biodegradable, and recycled materials.

  • Applications
webinar-recap-schubert-og

Webinar recap: Unlocking distributed manufacturing

Check out the recap of our latest webinar, to learn how well-known manufacturers such as Ford are using 3D printing – and how your business can gain a competitive advantage by doing the same.

  • News
cura-45-marketplace

The Ultimaker Marketplace is more accessible than ever

Thanks to a new intuitive web interface for the Ultimaker Marketplace, users can now simply browse, search, and subscribe. There's no need to open Ultimaker Cura beforehand – downloaded plugins and print profiles will automatically be associated with your Ultimaker account upon logging in.

  • News
webinar-composites-og

Webinar recap: How to choose the right composite material

In the recap of our first webinar, "The 3D printing mindset: How to choose the right composite material", we're offering an overview of what was covered, what was asked, and what's to come.

  • News