The Digital Thread

Both plastics are among the most used materials, but key differentiators dictate their application.

Compare material stiffness and strength and understand how each affects part performance

Explore polyamide properties, grades, manufacturing processes, and applications

Thermoplastic elastomers come in a variety of formulations, and each is unique in its own way. That makes picking the right one an important task among many when you are designing your parts.

There are many varieties of strong, durable nylon. Find out the right one for your application.

Compare ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Learn how iron content affects strength, weight, corrosion resistance, and material selection for real-world applications.

Making nylon parts stronger isn’t difficult. All it takes is the addition of glass to your base material. Explore the pros and cons of glass-filled nylon.

Learn how heat sinks work for thermal management, and how to choose between aluminium, copper, graphite, and composites. Includes manufacturing tips and design guidance.

Learn what steel is made of, how carbon affects properties, and which grades suit your needs. Compare steel types, heat treatments, and finishes.

Discover mild steel properties, applications, and manufacturing benefits. Learn when to choose mild steel for your CNC machining projects with expert insights from Protolabs.

Ductility is the ability for a material to deform without breaking. Learn why it matters in manufacturing, how it's tested, and where it's applied.

Discover what epoxy is, its key properties, manufacturing applications, and how Protolabs uses epoxy-based materials in 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection moulding.