FDM Technology
3D Print Durable Parts with Real Thermoplastic
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology is a powerful Stratasys-patented additive manufacturing method. FDM builds concept models, functional prototypes and end-use parts in standard, engineering-grade and high-performance thermoplastics. It's the only professional 3D printing technology that uses production-grade thermoplastics, so parts are unrivaled in mechanical, thermal and chemical strength.
History
Stratasys founder Scott Crump invented FDM Technology more than 20 years ago, and Stratasys has continued to lead the 3D printing revolution ever since, developing a range of systems that appeal to large manufacturers, designers, engineers, educators and other professionals.
How it Works
3D printers that run on FDM Technology build parts layer-by-layer by heating thermoplastic material to a semi-liquid state and extruding it according to computer-controlled paths. FDM uses two materials to execute a print job: modeling material, which constitutes the finished piece, and support material, which acts as scaffolding. Material filaments are fed from the 3D printer's material bays to the print head, which moves in X and Y coordinates, depositing material to complete each layer before the base moves down the Z axis and the next layer begins.
Once the 3D printer is done building, the user breaks the support material away or dissolves it in detergent and water, and the part is ready to use.
Benefits
FDM is a clean, simple-to-use, office-friendly 3D printing process. Thermoplastic parts can endure exposure to heat, chemicals, humid or dry environments, and mechanical stress. Soluble support materials make it possible to produce complex geometries and cavities that would be difficult to build with traditional manufacturing methods.
Find your FDM Materials:
FDM Technology builds parts in the same strong, stable plastics used in injection molding, CNC machining, and other traditional manufacturing processes.
ABS-CF10
Stratasys ABS-CF10 combines standard ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) material with 10% chopped carbon fiber by weight.
The result is a low moisture-sensitive FDM® thermoplastic over 50% stiffer and 15% stronger than standard ABS 3D printing material.
Its unique stiffness and strength allows it to replace metal components in: fixturing applications, jigs, and production parts. ABS-CF10's top markets include automotive manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, recreational manufacturing, and aerospace manufacturing. Available in one color.
Printers Supporting This Material
Top User Applications
- Jigs & Fixtures
- Tooling
- Manufacturing aids
ABS-ESD7: Static-Dissipative FDM ABS Thermoplastic
ABS-ESD7 is an ABS thermoplastic with static dissipative properties for applications where a static charge can damage products, impair their performance or cause an explosion in a flammable environment. Leverage the versatility of ABS and the reliability of FDM to lower the cost and speed the production of jigs, fixtures, prototypes and production parts that need the security of ESD protection.
Printers Supporting This Material
Top User Applications
- Electronic products with circuit boards
- Transportation and industrial equipment industries
- Jigs and fixtures for assembly of electronic components
- Building functional prototypes for fuel storage and delivery products
- Building functional prototypes for cases, enclosures and packaging
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ABS-M30
ABS-M30 is 25-75% stronger than the standard ABS material and provides realistic functional test results along with smoother parts with finer feature details.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 360-400mc
- Fortus 380-450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Concept modeling
- Functional Prototyping
- Jigs and Fixtures
- Manufacturing Tooling
- Production Parts
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ABS-M30i: Bio-Compatible ABS-M30i For Strength and Sterility
ABS-M30i is a biocompatible 3D printing material perfectly suited for medical, pharmaceutical and food-packaging engineers and designers to produce surgical planning models, tools and fixtures. It can be gamma or EtO sterilized and complies with ISO 10993 and USP Class VI. This material can be used for products that come in contact with skin, food and medications.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 360-400mc
- Fortus 380-450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Medical uses
- Food handling
- Pharmaceutical handling
- Surgical planning models and tools
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ABSi-P500
ABSi-P500 is an ABS type with high impact strength. The semi-translucent material used to build the FDM parts is USP Class VI approved. Most commonly used for automotive and medical applications. Available in three colors.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 400mc
Top User Applications
- Concept modeling
- Functional prototyping
- Direct digital manufacturing
- Monitoring material flow
- Light transmission
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ABSplus P430: Strong, Intricate 3D Printed Parts
3D print parts using FDM technology in nine colors using production-grade thermoplastics. An ABS prototype has up to 80% of the strength of injection molded ABS meaning that it is extremely suitable for functional applications. Designing can be iterative with ABSplus's affordability and color range. With hands-free soluble support removal you can do more for less while printing strong, stable parts.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Mojo
- uPrint SE & SE Plus
- Dimension 1200es & Elite
- Fortus 250mc
Top User Applications
- Concept Modeling
- Functional Prototyping
- Manufacturing Tooling
- Marketing Models
- Injection Molding
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ASA
ASA is an all-purpose prototyping material with exceptional UV stability, especially suited in production parts for outdoor commerical and infrastructure use. ASA won’t degrade with prolonged outdoor use and is accurate, stable and very durable.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 360-400mc
- Fortus 380-450mc
- Fortus 900mc and Stratasys F900
- F123 Series
Top User Applications
- Outdoor Commercial End-Use Parts
- Outdoor Infrastructure End-Use Parts
- Consumer Goods Prototyping
- Manufacturing Tooling
- Production Parts
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
Antero 800NA: The benefits of PEKK, the design freedom of FDM
Antero™ 800NA, a PEKK-based (polyetherketoneketone) FDM thermoplastic, is a high-performance material that is highly chemical resistant, possesses ultra-low outgassing properties and exhibits high heat resistance, making it well suited for aircraft and space applications.
Appropriate applications include aircraft components exposed to jet fuel, oil and hydraulic fluid, spacecraft parts that demand low outgassing and chemical-resistant industrial parts. Using Antero 800NA with FDM technology avoids the waste and design limitations associated with subtractive manufacturing of high-cost bulk PEKK material.
Antero 800NA is available on Fortus 450mc™ and Stratasys F900™ 3D Printers and is compatible with SUP8000B breakaway support material.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Aircraft components exposed to jet fuel, oil and hydraulic fluid
- Spacecraft parts that demand low outgassing
- Chemical-resistant industrial parts
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
Antero 840CN03: High-Performance PEKK-Based ESD Thermoplastic
High-performing mechanical and thermal properties.
Get unprecedented strength, heat and chemical resistance, toughness and a lighter weight alternative to metal with Antero 840CN03 — a high-performance, PEKK-based electrostatic discharge (ESD) thermoplastic.
Produce highly-customized, low-volume parts with consistent static dissipative properties, chemical resistance and ultra-low outgassing with high-performing Antero 840CN03 FDM filament.
Antero 840CN03 is available on Stratasys F900™ 3D Printer.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Prototyping: Functional prototypes for high-demand applications
- Tooling: ESD-safe jigs and fixtures for testing and assembly
- Production Parts: Low-volume, end-use parts for high requirements
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
Diran 410MF07: Durable, Nylon-based FDM Thermoplastic
Diran 410MF07 is a durable, nylon-based thermoplastic. It demonstrates exceptional toughness and resistance to hydrocarbon-based chemicals, while maintaining a smooth, lubricious surface quality.
Printers Supporting This Material
- F370
Top User Applications
- Prototyping: Functional prototypes for high-demand applications
- Tooling: ESD-safe jigs and fixtures for testing and assembly
- Production Parts: Low-volume, end-use parts for high requirements
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ESD PEKK
Custom Materials Development Enables Printed Parts for Aerospace that are Electrostatic Discharge Safe. ESD PEKK thermoplastic combines static dissipative properties in combination with excellent chemical resistance and favorable thermal properties, appropriate for demanding applications that require resistance to electrostatic discharge.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 360-400mc
- Fortus 380-450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Production Parts
- High Temperature
- Electrostatically-Sensitive
- Aerospace Industry
- Electronics Industry
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
FDM Nylon 12
Nylon 12 is the first material in Stratasys’ new family of nylon offerings. Popular in traditional manufacturing for its superb price-performance ratio. Exhibiting 100 to 300 percent better elongation at break and superior fatigue resistance over any other additive manufacturing technology. Nylon 12 is primarily used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods industries. Best Z-axis lamination.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 360-400mc
- Fortus 380-450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Tooling
- Jigs and Fixtures
- Production Parts
- Snap-fits and Friction-Fit Inserts
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
FDM Nylon 12CF
Nylon 12CF delivers the highest strength and stiffness-to-weight ratio of any Stratasys FDM material. Its unique stiffness and strength allows it to replace metal components in: fixturing applications, jigs, and production parts. Nylon 12CF’s top markets include automotive manufacturing, industrial manufacturing,recreational manufacturing, and aerospace manufacturing. Available in one color.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 450mc
Top User Applications
- Manufacturing aids and tooling
- Production parts
- Functional prototypes
- Lightweight tooling
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
FDM Nylon 6
FDM Nylon 6 combines strength and toughness superior to other FDM Thermoplastics, for applications that require strong, customized parts and tooling that lasts longer and withstands rigorous functional testing.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Manufacturing Aids
- Testing Functional Performance
- Tooling
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
FDM TPU 92A: Produce Large and Complex Elastomer Parts
FDM TPU 92A is an elastomer material that is ideal for prototyping highly functional, large, durable, complex elastomer parts. F123 enables the ability to produce elastomer parts with a simple workflow. Unlike competitors, F123's soluble support enables highly complex parts - easily.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Stratasys F123 Series
Top User Applications: Industries
- Transportation
- Consumer Goods
- Industrial Goods
- Education
Top User Applications: Uses
- Seals, gaskets
- Surface protection covers
- Mats, liners
- Bellows
- Wheels, rollers
- Hoses, tubes
- Ducts
- Manufacturing Aids
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
PC: Superior Durability and Strength
Production-grade thermoplastic offering accuracy, durability and stability, creating strong parts that withstand functional testing. Available in one color.
Rapid tooling, built to endure. PC offers accuracy, durability and stability, producing strong parts that can withstand functional testing. PC lets engineers and designers combine the speed and agility of 3D printing with the reliability of the most widely used industrial thermoplastic.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 360-400mc
- Fortus 380-450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Functional testing
- Manufacturing tooling
- Production parts
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
PC-ABS: Superior Impact Strength and Heat Resistance
Production-grade thermoplastic offering the most desirable properties of both materials - the superior strength and heat resistance of PC and the flexibility of ABS. Material commonly used in the automotive, electronics and telecommunication industries.
PC-ABS is a high-impact engineering thermoplastic ideal for functional prototyping, tooling and low-volume manufacturing. Get the best of two FDM materials, the strength and heat resistance of PC and the flexibility of ABS. PC-ABS also delivers excellent feature definition and surface finish.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Stratasys F370
- Fortus 360-400mc
- Fortus 380-450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Conceptual modeling
- Functional prototyping
- Manufacturing aids and tools
- Production parts
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
PC-ISO: Biocompatible Polycarbonate in an FDM Filament
PC-ISO blends are widely used throughout packaging and medical device manufactures. The PC-ISO material used to build the FDM parts is USP Class VI approved and also ISO 10993-1 rated. Available in two colors.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 400mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Food packaging
- Drug packaging
- Medical device manufacturing
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
PLA: Economical and User-Friendly
PLA model material is ideal for quick concept and verification models with good tensile strength. This value-priced material is user-friendly and ideal for classroom environments and made from renewable resources. PLA builds with PLA as its break-away support material. Available in a variety of colors: Natural, Transparent Red, Transparent Yellow, Transparent Green, Transparent Blue, Black, White, Red, Blue, Light Gray, Medium Gray.
Printers Supporting This Material
Top User Applications
- Rapid Prototyping
Best Practices - PLA Tips and Tricks
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
PPSF PPSU: Strong, Heat-Resistant and Sterilizable
PPSU combines strong mechanical performance with high temperature and chemical resistance for demanding applications like low-volume injection molds, under-hood automotive scenarios and heat, chemical, plasma and radiation sterilization.
PPSF/PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) material has the greatest heat and chemical resistance of all FDM materials - ideal for aerospace, automotive and medical applications. Ideal for prototypes exposed to extreme conditions. PPSF/PPSU produced parts not only mechanically superior, but also dimensionally accurate, to better predict end-product performance.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 400mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Concept modeling
- Functional prototyping
- Manufacturing tooling aids
- Production parts
Application Guide - PPSF Finishing Techniques
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ST-130: Simplify the Creation of Hollow Composites
ST-130 (Sacrificial Tooling material) simplifies the production of hollow composite parts. Complex tools can be 3D printed and easily dissolved after curing, eliminating secondary processes like mold making, while accelerating your composite lay-up work.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Sacrificial Tooling
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ULTEM 1010: High-Strength, Heat Resistant FDM Thermoplastic
ULTEM 1010 resin offers the highest heat resistance, chemical resistance and tensile strength of any FDM thermoplastic. The certified grade of this material is bio-compatible and approved for food contact with NSF 51 and ISO 10993/USP Class VI certifications. Ideal for automotive, aerospace, medical and food production industries. Available in one color.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 400mc
- Fortus 450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Custom tools for metal, plastic or composite parts fabrication
- Medical tools like surgical guides that can withstand steam autoclaving
- Temperature-resistant dies, patterns and fixtures for food production
- Out-of-cabin aerospace components and under-the-hood automotive components including housings, ducts and semi-structural components
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
ULTEM 9085: Made for demanding applications.
ULTEM 9085 is a pioneering thermoplastic that is strong, lightweight and flame retardant (UL 94-V0 rated). The ULTEM 9085 material opens up new opportunities for the direct additive construction of production-grade components. Commonly used in the automotive, aerospace and military industries. Available in two colors.
ULTEM 9085 Aerospace-grade filament is produced in accordance within specifications that meet the requirements of the aerospace industry.
Printers Supporting This Material
- Fortus 400mc
- Fortus 380-450mc
- Fortus 900mc
Top User Applications
- Concept modeling
- Functional prototyping
- Manufacturing tooling aids
- Production parts
Spec Sheet - Certified ULTEM 9085
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
FDM Support Materials
There are two types of FDM Support materials available:
Water-soluble support for easy, hands-free removal. The dissolvable FDM support material makes it possible to produce intricate and complex prototypes and models without the need for time-consuming manual support removal.
- SR-30 – used with ABS-ESD7, ASA, ABS-M30, ABSplus, and ABS-M30i
- SR-35 - used with ABS-ESD7, ASA, ABS-M30, and ABS-M30i on the Fortus 900mc, Fortus 360mc, Fortus 380mc, Fortus 400mc, and Fortus 450mc
- SR-100 – used with PC (Polycarbonate)
- SR-110 – used with PC-ABS and Nylon 12 on the Fortus 360mc; PC-ABS, Nylon 12 and Nylon 12CF on the Fortus 450mc; Nylon 6 and Nylon 12 on the Fortus 900mc
- P400-SR – used with ABS P400 only
- SR-20 – used with ABSplus, ABSi, ABS-ESD7, ABS-M30, ABS-M30i, ASA and PC-ABS
Break-away support that is easily removed by hand.
- PC-BASS – used with PC and PC-ISO
- ULTEM 9085 Support - used with ULTEM 9085 only
- ULTEM 1010 Suppport - used with ULTEM 1010 only
- PPSF-BASS - used with PPSF only
- P400-R - used with ABS P400 only
Spec Sheet - FDM Support Materials
Material Guide - FDM Support Materials
Stratasys Systems and Materials Matrix
See also:
PolyJet Technology & Materials
