Below is a comparative table of the materials we use.
| Property | PLA | PETG | PETG-CF | ASA | PAHT-CF | TPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★☆☆ – Strong but brittle | ★★★★☆ – Strong and tough | ★★★★☆ – Stiff and strong | ★★★★☆ – Strong and homogeneous | ★★★★★ – Very strong | ★★★☆☆ – Flexible strong |
| Flexibility | ★☆☆☆☆ – Stiff | ★★☆☆☆ – Slightly flexible | ★☆☆☆☆ – Very stiff | ★★☆☆☆ – Limited flexibility | ★☆☆☆☆ – Very stiff | ★★★★★ – Very flexible |
| Impact resistance | ★★☆☆☆ – Breaks easily | ★★★★☆ – Good | ★★★☆☆ – Lower than PETG | ★★★★☆ – Good | ★★★★☆ – High | ★★★★★ – Very high |
| Heat resistance | Up to ~60 °C | Up to ~80 °C | Up to ~80 °C (but more shape-stable than PETG) | Up to ~95 °C | Up to ~150 °C | Up to ~90 °C |
| Appearance | Matte to glossy | Glossy | Matte, technical | Matte, industrial | Matte, carbon look | Matte, rubbery |
| Wear resistance | Low | High | Very high | High | Extremely high | Very high |
| Weather resistance | Poor (UV-sensitive) | Good | Good | Very good (UV & moisture) | Very good | Good |
| Deformation under permanent load | ❌ High (creeps quickly) | ⚠️ Moderate | ✅ Low | ✅ Low | ✅ Very low | ❌ High (viscoelastic) |
| Post-processing | Easy to sand | More difficult | Limited (fibers) | Good | Difficult | Tricky |
| Environmental impact | 🌱 Bio-based, low CO₂ | 🔄 Fossil, recyclable | 🔄 Fossil + CF | 🔄 Fossil, long lifespan | 🛢️ Fossil + CF, high CO₂ | 🛢️ Fossil, hard to recycle |
| Relative cost | € | €€ | €€€ | €€€ | €€€€ | €€€ |
| Typical applications | Models, decoration | Functional parts | Load-bearing parts, brackets | Outdoor parts | Mechanical structures | Cases, dampers |