POM or PA6 for guides and bushings
POM does not absorb moisture and maintains its dimensions: it is the option for precision mechanisms. PA6 withstands impacts better, but changes size with humidity. PET falls in between, stable and wear-resistant.
Engineering tool · 33 materials from the catalog
Material comparison.
Choose two or three materials and compare them side by side: how they are manufactured, what they withstand, how much they weigh, and what finishes they accept.
| Property |  AluminumMetal |  POM · AcetalEngineering plastic |  PA12 · Nylon MJF3D printing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufactured with | CNC machining Sheet metal cutting and bending | CNC machining | MJF 3D printing |
| In one sentence | A light, easy-to-machine metal with a good strength-to-weight ratio. The alloy and treatment are chosen for the part’s function. | Rigid and stable plastic, with low moisture absorption and good sliding behavior. Suitable for mechanisms and precision parts. | Polyamide for Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components. Allows complex geometries without dedicated supports. |
| Density | 2.71 g/cm³ | 1.41–1.43 g/cm³ | 1.01 g/cm³ |
| Key strengths |
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| Mechanical properties | Elastic modulus70 GPa Tensile strength · AL6082 sample338 MPa Hardness · AL6082 sample104 HB | Tensile strength60 MPa Flexural modulus2.8 GPa Hardness85 Shore D | Tensile strength · ref.48 MPa |
| Thermal and other properties | Melting point · ref. 6082575–650 °C | No data in datasheet | HDT · 0.45 MPa175 °C Surface finishMatte · grainy |
| Finishes | Anodizing · Sandblasting · Nickel plating · Painting | Depending on the part | Black dyeing |
| Applications | Machine components · Automotive · Aviation · Industrial parts | Gears · Bushings and guides · Rollers · Precision parts | Functional housings · Clips and ducts · Assembly fixtures · Complex geometry parts |
| Datasheet and data | Full datasheetAluminum 2024 · PDFAluminum 7075 · PDFAluminum 6082 · PDFAluminum 6061 · PDFAluminum 5083 · PDFIndicative values · AL6082 sample from the Proto&Go! PDFDensity, modulus, and melting point are indicative for aluminum 6082. Tensile strength and hardness correspond to the sample in the Proto&Go! PDF, not a guaranteed minimum. The alloy, heat treatment, and supply format change the properties; the melting point is not the admissible working temperature. | Full datasheetPOM · PDFMechanical reference · Proto&Go! material datasheetDelrin is a brand of POM-H, not a synonym for all POMs. For chemical agents, check concentration and temperature; conductive variants are not insulators. Added values are references from the published PDF; the supply grade and test may vary them. | Full datasheetHP · PA12Reference · HP 3D HR PA 12Reference: HP 3D HR PA 12. The 175 °C corresponds to heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPa; at 1.82 MPa it is 95 °C. These are not continuous use temperatures. |
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01 / Weight
Same volume,
different weight.
Enter the net volume provided by the CAD and compare the grams of each selected material.
Enter a number greater than zero, using a comma or a point for decimals.
Weight = volume × density. Inserts and coatings are not included.
Aluminum271g
POM · Acetal141–143g
PA12 · Nylon MJF101g
02 / Common questions
Four comparisons
that keep coming up.
Each button loads the materials into the table above.
PA12, ABS, or polyurethane
Three plastics, three processes: PA12 is 3D printed, ABS is machined, and polyurethane is vacuum cast in a silicone mold. PU mimics ABS in stiffness and appearance, but if the specification says ABS, it is ABS.
TPA or flexible polyurethane
TPA is 3D printed without a mold and delivers a functional flexible part in days. Flexible polyurethanes for vacuum casting are formulated to the hardness you request, also available in transparent. Compare Shore hardness, recovery, and quantity.
Aluminum or steel
At equal volume, aluminum weighs a third as much as steel and machines faster. Stainless steel wins with humidity or aggressive cleaning; carbon steel, for shafts and bolts with heat treatment.
03 / Frequently asked questions
About materials,
what we are most often asked about.
Six short answers. The rest, in the frequently asked questions.
View all questionsWhat materials can I compare?
The 33 in the catalog: metals and engineering plastics for CNC machining, polyamides, PP, TPA and SLA resins for 3D printing, and polyurethanes for vacuum casting. Two or three at a time.
Which is the strongest material?
It depends on what kind of strength: tensile, stiffness, impact, wear, or temperature are different things. The table separates them so you can compare the one that matters for your part.
Are the table values for my part?
They are from the technical datasheets, with their grade and test. They serve for comparison; the manufactured part depends on the specific alloy or formulation, the process, and the finish.
Can I use the HDT as the operating temperature?
No. The HDT is a deformation test under load, not the maximum service temperature nor the melting temperature. If the part will work hot, tell us how hot and for how long.
Does the material comparison calculate the price?
No. The price depends on the geometry, quantity, and finish. On the materials page there is an example with the same part in each material, and with your 3D model you get a quote in 24 hours.
Does the weight calculation work for a hollow part?
Yes, if you enter the net material volume that the CAD gives you. The bounding-box volume doesn't count.
04 / Catalog
The 33 datasheets,
one by one.
Properties, alloys or formulations, finishes and applications for each material.
Explore materials by processAluminumMetalStainless steelMetalCarbon steelMetalCopperMetalBrassMetalBronzeMetalABSPlasticPOM · AcetalEngineering plasticPA6 · Nylon 6Engineering plasticHDPEPlasticPC · PolycarbonateEngineering plasticPMMA · AcrylicPlasticPETEngineering plasticPP · PolypropylenePlasticRigid PVCPlasticPBT + 30 % GFFiber-reinforcedBakeliteThermosetPEEKHigh performancePEI · UltemHigh performancePPSHigh performancePTFE · TeflonFluoropolymerPA12 · Nylon MJF3D printingTPA 90A · MJFFlexible 3D printingRigid PUVacuum castingRigid transparent PUVacuum castingFlexible PUVacuum castingFlexible transparent PUVacuum casting
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STEPSLDPRTX_T / X_BIPTCATPARTPRTSAT3DMSTL (only 3D printing)PDF (drawing)
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