The Upload

Your blog feed for digital manufacturing resources, in-depth features, and industry news.

Past 'Materials' posts

Return to blog home
Aluminum Bead Blasted
Materials
November 19, 2025

Materials for Heat Sinks

Learn how heat sinks work for thermal management, and how to choose between aluminum, copper, graphite, and composites. Includes manufacturing tips and design guidance.
By Protolabs
Read More
Materials
Materials
October 29, 2025

What Is Ductility? Material Selection for Engineers

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.
By Protolabs
Read More
Flame-Retardant Thermoplastics and UL Classifications
Materials
June 12, 2025

UL 94 Classification and Flame-Retardant Materials

An overview of materials with flame-retardant characteristics and the UL 94 classification.
By Protolabs
Read More
3D-printed Aluminum
Materials Science
April 30, 2025

Comparing Aluminum Alloys: Find the Right Material for Your Part

Compare aluminum alloys to find the material that best fits your project needs.
By Protolabs
Read More
cnc milling a blue nylon block
Materials Science
November 29, 2023

Types of Nylon: How They Stack Up

There are many varieties of strong, durable nylon. Find out the right one for your application.
By Protolabs
Read More
Stacked translucent acrylic blocks with labels, set against a blurred background.
Materials Science
November 16, 2023

Polypropylene or Polyethylene? Evaluating Two Popular Polymers

Both plastics are among the most used materials, but key differentiators dictate their application.
By Protolabs
Read More
Black and green injection molded parts
Materials Science
August 18, 2023

ABS vs. Polypropylene (PP): Deciding Between Two Popular Plastics

ABS and polypropylene (PP) are strong contenders for many projects, but what are the differences?
By Protolabs
Read More
Clear part
Materials Science
June 8, 2023

TPE vs. Silicone: Comparing Elastomers for Medical Applications

Elastomers and silicone, molding and printing: so many choices these days to make your medical parts
By Protolabs
Read More
translucent orange abs part
Materials Science
October 24, 2022

Common Autoclave Compatible Materials

Keep patients safe! Find out what materials can withstand an autoclave’s blistering heat and steam.
By Protolabs
Read More
HDPE resin pellets closeup
Materials Science
September 7, 2022

Translucent and Clear Plastic Injection-Molded Parts

Choosing the best translucent material for your molded parts isn’t always crystal clear. There are quite a few things to think about before making your final choice of materials and design.
By Protolabs
Read More
A pile of white Nylon Resin pellets
Materials Science
August 15, 2022

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Glass-Filled Nylon

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.
By Protolabs
Read More
Clear ABS resin pellets
Materials Science
August 4, 2022

ABS vs. PC: Comparing Two Common Thermoplastics

Choosing to use ABS, polycarbonate (PC), or combining them is a popular way to get strong machined, printed, or molded parts. There are a lot of similarities, but also some significant differences that might help you find just the right one for your parts.
By Protolabs
Read More