The three materials in short
| Material | For | Heat | Sun, outdoors | Price per gram |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | shape prototype, model, indoor object | softens around 55 to 60 °C | no: yellows within weeks | 0.20 MAD |
| PETG | a part that works: bracket, clip, spare, contact with water | up to about 75 °C | several seasons, then dulls | 0.35 MAD |
| ABS | a part that gets hot or takes knocks, a part to paint | up to about 95 °C | no: yellows within months | 0.26 MAD |
Prices per gram are those of the cheapest colour in stock, read from the catalog when this page loads.
PLA, for a part that does no work
The cheapest per gram and the crispest in small details. It suits anything that stays indoors and cool: a shape prototype, a model, a desk enclosure, a decorative object. Rigid, it snaps rather than bends, and tires quickly in a clip or a hinge. The detail is on the PLA page.
PETG, for a part that works
The default as soon as a part has a job: a bracket that carries, a clip that snaps in, a spare part, a part in contact with water or household cleaners. It bends a little before it gives and costs a little more per gram than PLA. The detail is on the PETG page.
ABS, for a part that gets hot
The plastic of appliance housings and many car interior parts: it takes heat far better than PETG, absorbs knocks, and sands, glues and paints easily. It ages badly in the sun; outdoors, ASA does the same job without yellowing. The detail is on the ABS page.
The same case, in each material
| Material | Material deposited | Print time | Price delivered |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 55 g | 1 h 48 | 254.22 MAD |
| PETG | 53 g | 2 h 00 | 284.73 MAD |
| ABS | 46 g | 1 h 52 | 262.24 MAD |
These prices are computed by our quote engine when this page loads, at the rates in force; every order costs at least 100.00 MAD delivered. The gap comes from the price per gram and the density: at equal volume, a denser material weighs more. The guide How much does 3D printing cost in Morocco explains the rest of the price.
Choosing in three questions
- Will the part sit in the sun or outdoors all year? Then ASA, whatever comes next.
- Will it get hot, in a car in the sun, near a power supply or an electric motor? Above about 75 °C, ABS; below, PETG is enough.
- Must it flex, carry a load or touch water? PETG. Otherwise, and for a shape prototype, PLA, the cheapest.
For a flexible part, a seal or a bumper, none of the three: TPU. For a part near a combustion engine or a safety part, write to us before ordering.
ASA is out of stock at the moment: the Materials page shows what is, and PETG lasts several seasons outdoors in the meantime.
The price of your part
Drop your file on the online quote: the price shows in every material in stock, and you switch material without sending the file again. For a car part, read Can a car part be 3D printed?; for a prototype, the Rapid prototyping page.