The Upload

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Archive posts categorized 'Materials Science'. Return to blog home.
translucent orange abs part

Common Autoclave Compatible Materials

Posted On October 24, 2022 By Protolabs
Keep patients safe! Find out what materials can withstand an autoclave’s blistering heat and steam.
3D-printed Aluminum

Aluminum Alloys: Go-to Materials for Automotive, Aerospace, and More

Posted On September 27, 2022 By Protolabs
Aluminum is a common and popular metal that’s found everywhere and used in a stunningly wide range of parts and products: automotive parts, aerospace components, boat and marine gear, consumer electronics including smart phones, industrial machinery parts, HVAC systems, the list goes on.
HDPE resin pellets closeup

Translucent and Clear Plastic Injection-Molded Parts

Posted On September 7, 2022 By Protolabs
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.
A pile of white Nylon Resin pellets

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Glass-Filled Nylon

Posted On August 15, 2022 By Protolabs
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.
Chemical compound for ABS

Homopolymers vs. Copolymers. Chemistry of Plastic Parts

Posted On May 27, 2022 By Protolabs
Hey! Who’s a fan of organic chemistry? [crickets] OK, you may not have liked studying it, but without those chains of carbon-based molecules life would be rough. So here at Protolabs we’re all about paying our respects to those special groups of bonded atoms called polymers.
Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) for Injection Molding

Posted On April 12, 2022 By Protolabs
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.
1018 vs. 4140 Steel material blocks

1018 vs. 4140 Steel: Choosing Between Two Great Metals

Posted On March 1, 2022 By Protolabs
1018 and 4140 steel are two popular material choices. Here are factors to consider when choosing between the two.
Nylon vs Delrin

Nylon vs. Delrin: Strong, Durable Materials Ideal for High-Wear Applications

Posted On December 23, 2021 By Protolabs
These hard, versatile materials are perfect for use in projects that require high resistance to wear, abrasion, and chemicals.
Titanium part for Helix’s folding bike frame

Lightweight Yet Durable Titanium Great Option for Aerospace Parts

Posted On September 21, 2020 By Nicole Hopper
Titanium Grade 5 6Al-4V’s strength and temperature, corrosion resistance make it an ideal material choice for aerospace and defense applications.
Inconel 718

Inconel 718: A Workhorse Material for Additive Manufacturing

Posted On August 11, 2020 By Rachel Hunt
Inconel 718 is a go-to material for additive manufacturing of metal parts.