Materials

Pick the right plastic for the job.

Name: PLA, 3D printing material
Brand: Rigid Prints
Price: 0.022 GBP
Availability: InStock

We stock six engineering plastics covering everything from quick display models to outdoor enclosures and load-bearing mechanical parts. Every option below is in stock and prints on the same day it's accepted.

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Group

PLA

PLAStandard

£0.022/g

Our default material. Bio-derived, dimensionally stable, and prints with crisp surface detail. Best choice for prototypes, display models, and anything that lives indoors at room temperature.

Available colours

Jet BlackArctic WhiteRigid PinkSlate GreySignal Red

Quote in PLA

Technical data

Density: 1.24 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 55 °C
Tensile strength: ~50 MPa
UV resistance: Poor
Chemical resistance: Poor (attacked by acetone, alcohols)
Food contact: Not certified

Typical use cases

· Architectural models
· Concept mock-ups
· Tabletop & display parts
· Marketing samples

Good for

· Sharp surface detail and small features
· Consistent colour matching across batches
· Tight dimensional accuracy out of the printer

Not great for

· Anything left in a hot car (softens above ~60 °C)
· Outdoor parts exposed to UV for months
· Load-bearing structural components

PLA Tough+Tough+

£0.028/g

Impact-modified PLA that takes a hit without shattering. Same easy printing and surface finish as standard PLA, but roughly twice the impact strength, closer to PETG in toughness while keeping PLA's stiffness.

Available colours

Jet BlackArctic WhiteRigid PinkSlate GreySignal Red

Quote in PLA Tough+

Technical data

Density: 1.23 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 55 °C
Tensile strength: ~45 MPa
Impact strength: ~2× standard PLA
UV resistance: Poor
Food contact: Not certified

Typical use cases

· Functional prototypes
· Drop-tested housings
· Tools and jigs
· Educational kits

Good for

· Parts that get knocked or dropped
· Stiff functional prototypes
· Snap-fits without crack risk

Not great for

· Outdoor or hot environments
· Continuous mechanical load

PLA AeroAero

£0.032/g

Foaming PLA that expands during printing for a low-density, lightweight part. Ideal for RC airframes, props, and large display pieces where every gram counts.

Available colours

Jet BlackArctic White

Quote in PLA Aero

Technical data

Effective density: 0.6-0.9 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 55 °C
Surface: Matte, foam-like
UV resistance: Poor
Food contact: Not certified

Typical use cases

· RC plane wings & fuselages
· Lightweight props
· Cosplay & costume parts
· Large hollow models

Good for

· Reducing part weight by ~30-50%
· Soft matte foam-like surface
· Large, low-stress structures

Not great for

· Tight dimensional tolerances
· Load-bearing or mechanical parts

PLA MatteMatte

£0.026/g

PLA with a deep matte finish that hides layer lines and looks great straight off the printer. Same mechanical properties as standard PLA, the difference is purely cosmetic.

Available colours

Jet BlackArctic WhiteRigid PinkSlate GreySignal Red

Quote in PLA Matte

Technical data

Density: 1.24 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 55 °C
Surface: Deep matte
UV resistance: Poor
Food contact: Not certified

Typical use cases

· Photography props
· Show-surface display parts
· Brand collateral
· Architectural finishes

Good for

· Hiding layer lines without sanding
· Premium photographic finish
· Even, non-reflective colour

Not great for

· Outdoor or load-bearing parts
· High-temperature environments

PLA TranslucentTranslucent

£0.026/g

Light-transmitting PLA that diffuses LEDs and gives parts a soft, glowing look. Good for lamp shades, light pipes, and decorative pieces.

Available colours

ClearAmber

Quote in PLA Translucent

Technical data

Density: 1.24 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 55 °C
Light transmission: Diffuse
UV resistance: Poor
Food contact: Not certified

Typical use cases

· Lamp shades & diffusers
· LED housings
· Display models
· Decorative panels

Good for

· Soft, diffuse light transmission
· Decorative back-lit parts
· Same easy printing as standard PLA

Not great for

· Optical-clarity parts (it diffuses, not transmits)
· Outdoor use

PLA Silk+Silk+

£0.030/g

PLA with a silky, semi-gloss sheen that looks almost metallic in some colours. Layer lines catch light evenly for a premium finish without post-processing.

Available colours

Silk GoldSilk Silver

Quote in PLA Silk+

Technical data

Density: 1.24 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 55 °C
Surface: Silk / semi-gloss
UV resistance: Poor
Food contact: Not certified

Typical use cases

· Display & gift items
· Jewellery & figurines
· Premium product samples

Good for

· High-gloss decorative finish
· Eye-catching colour shift on curved surfaces

Not great for

· Functional or load-bearing parts
· Outdoor or high-heat use

PLA-CFCarbon-fibre

£0.055/g

PLA reinforced with chopped carbon fibre for added stiffness and a premium matte-black finish. Stiffer and more dimensionally stable than standard PLA, with reduced warping on large parts.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PLA-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.30 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 55 °C
Tensile modulus: ~6 GPa
Surface: Matte composite black
UV resistance: Poor

Typical use cases

· Stiff jigs and fixtures
· Drone frames
· Light functional brackets
· Display hardware

Good for

· Higher stiffness than standard PLA
· Reduced warping on long parts
· Premium matte composite look

Not great for

· Impact loads (CF makes it stiffer but more brittle)
· Hot environments

Group

PETG

PETGStandard

£0.028/g

The everyday workhorse for parts that need to handle moisture, mild heat, and the occasional impact. A noticeable step up in toughness over PLA without the warping headaches of ABS.

Available colours

Jet BlackClearTranslucent Green

Quote in PETG

Technical data

Density: 1.27 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 70 °C
Tensile strength: ~50 MPa
UV resistance: Moderate
Chemical resistance: Good (resistant to most household chemicals)
Food contact: Material is food-safe; printed parts are not certified

Typical use cases

· Outdoor brackets
· Hose & cable clips
· Light enclosures
· Garden & garage parts

Good for

· Mild outdoor use (months, not years)
· Holding up to humidity and rain
· Snap-fits and living hinges (vs PLA)

Not great for

· Highest-detail cosmetic prints (slight stringing)
· Continuous direct sunlight (use ASA instead)
· Sustained temperatures above ~70 °C

PETG TranslucentTranslucent

£0.030/g

Semi-clear PETG that lets light through while staying tough and chemically resistant. Great for fluid level windows, light pipes, and protective covers.

Available colours

ClearTranslucent Green

Quote in PETG Translucent

Technical data

Density: 1.27 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 70 °C
Light transmission: Translucent
UV resistance: Moderate

Typical use cases

· Bottle & tank windows
· Light covers
· Protective shrouds
· See-through enclosures

Good for

· Visual inspection through the part
· Combining toughness with light transmission
· Mild outdoor use

Not great for

· Optical-grade clarity
· High-detail cosmetic models

PETG-CFCarbon-fibre

£0.060/g

PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre. Stiffer, more dimensionally stable, and more heat-resistant than standard PETG, a solid all-rounder for light-duty engineering parts.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PETG-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.30 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 75 °C
Tensile modulus: ~5 GPa
Surface: Matte composite
UV resistance: Moderate

Typical use cases

· Functional brackets
· Tooling & jigs
· Drone & RC components
· Mounting hardware

Good for

· Higher stiffness than standard PETG
· Reduced warping on flat parts
· Mild outdoor and chemical exposure

Not great for

· Impact-heavy uses (more brittle than plain PETG)
· Sustained temperatures above ~80 °C

Group

ASA

ASAStandard

£0.036/g

ABS with the UV problem solved. Same heat and impact performance, but stays colourfast and crack-free under years of direct sunlight. The default for outdoor enclosures.

Available colours

Jet BlackLight GreyArctic White

Quote in ASA

Technical data

Density: 1.07 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 95 °C
Tensile strength: ~45 MPa
UV resistance: Excellent
Chemical resistance: Good (better than ABS in solvents)
Food contact: Not certified

Typical use cases

· Outdoor electronics enclosures
· Number plates & signage
· Garden gadgets
· Roof-rack accessories

Good for

· Permanent outdoor installation
· UV-stable colour over multiple seasons
· Heat resistance similar to ABS

Not great for

· Cost-sensitive throwaway prototypes (use PLA)
· Flexible parts (use TPU)

ASA AeroAero

£0.042/g

Foaming ASA that expands during printing for lightweight outdoor parts. Combines ASA's UV resistance with the low density of foaming filaments, ideal for outdoor RC airframes and large weatherproof shells.

Available colours

Jet BlackArctic White

Quote in ASA Aero

Technical data

Effective density: 0.7-0.9 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 95 °C
UV resistance: Excellent
Surface: Matte foam

Typical use cases

· Outdoor RC airframes
· Lightweight outdoor signage
· Weatherproof props

Good for

· Low weight with UV resistance
· Large outdoor parts that need to stay light

Not great for

· Tight dimensional tolerances
· Load-bearing structures

Group

PC

PCStandard

£0.055/g

Polycarbonate, the high-temperature, high-impact engineering plastic. Used where parts need to take real abuse and stay dimensionally stable in heat. Strong, slightly translucent in natural form, and tough enough for safety hardware.

Available colours

Jet BlackClear

Quote in PC

Technical data

Density: 1.20 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 110 °C
Tensile strength: ~65 MPa
Impact strength: Excellent
UV resistance: Poor (yellows over time)

Typical use cases

· Safety guards
· High-temperature housings
· Impact-resistant brackets
· Snap-fit covers

Good for

· High temperature resistance (>110 °C)
· High impact strength
· Dimensional stability under load

Not great for

· Cost-sensitive prototypes
· Outdoor UV without coating (use ASA)

PC-FRFlame-Retardant

£0.075/g

Flame-retardant polycarbonate. All the heat and impact performance of standard PC plus a UL94 V-0 rating, for parts that need to self-extinguish in the event of ignition. Specified for electrical enclosures and safety hardware.

Available colours

Jet BlackClear

Quote in PC-FR

Technical data

Density: 1.22 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 115 °C
Flammability: UL94 V-0 (1.5 mm)
Tensile strength: ~60 MPa
Impact strength: Excellent

Typical use cases

· Electrical enclosures
· Battery housings
· Industrial control panels
· Safety-critical brackets

Good for

· Self-extinguishing safety parts
· Electrical and battery enclosures
· High temperature operation

Not great for

· Decorative or cosmetic parts
· Cost-sensitive prototyping

Group

TPU

TPU 80A80A (very soft)

£0.055/g

Soft, very flexible TPU at 80A shore hardness, closer to a soft rubber. Squashes, stretches, and rebounds. Best for gaskets, soft-touch grips, and anything that needs to feel rubbery.

Available colours

Jet BlackSignal Red

Quote in TPU 80A

Technical data

Shore hardness: 80A
Density: 1.20 g/cm³
Elongation at break: ~600%
UV resistance: Moderate

Typical use cases

· Gaskets & seals
· Soft grips
· Vibration mounts
· Wearable bands

Good for

· High elasticity and rebound
· Soft, rubber-like feel
· Sealing against air or water

Not great for

· Holding rigid shape under load
· Fine surface detail

TPU 90A90A (soft)

£0.045/g

Mid-range TPU at 90A shore hardness, flexible but firm, the most versatile of the TPU family. Holds its shape under light load while still bending and absorbing impact.

Available colours

Jet BlackSignal Red

Quote in TPU 90A

Technical data

Shore hardness: 90A
Density: 1.21 g/cm³
Elongation at break: ~500%
UV resistance: Moderate

Typical use cases

· Phone bumpers
· Wearable straps
· Cable strain reliefs
· Drone landing gear

Good for

· Balanced flex and rigidity
· Repeated bending without fatigue
· Tactile, grippy surfaces

Not great for

· Rigid structural parts
· Highest cosmetic detail

Group

PA (Nylon)

PA6-CFCarbon-fibre

£0.095/g

Carbon-fibre reinforced PA6 nylon. A go-to engineering composite for stiff, strong, low-friction parts, gears, end-effectors, and load-bearing brackets. Strong fatigue life and great wear resistance.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PA6-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.18 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 180 °C
Tensile strength: ~115 MPa
Tensile modulus: ~8 GPa
Surface: Matte composite black

Typical use cases

· Drive gears & sprockets
· Robotic end-effectors
· Load-bearing brackets
· Wear-prone mechanisms

Good for

· High stiffness and strength
· Low friction sliding surfaces
· Repeated mechanical load

Not great for

· Humid environments without drying (PA6 absorbs moisture)
· Cosmetic show-surface parts

PAHT-CFHigh-temp carbon-fibre

£0.105/g

High-temperature, low-moisture-absorption nylon with chopped carbon fibre. The composite of choice when parts will see heat, oil, or under-bonnet conditions. Stiffer and more stable than PA6-CF in real-world environments.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PAHT-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.19 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 190 °C
Tensile strength: ~120 MPa
Tensile modulus: ~9 GPa
Moisture absorption: Low

Typical use cases

· Under-bonnet brackets
· Hot-end mounts
· Industrial fixtures
· Tooling near machinery

Good for

· Sustained operation above 100 °C
· Lower moisture pickup than PA6
· Chemical and oil exposure

Not great for

· Cost-sensitive prototypes
· Decorative parts

Group

Composites

PLA-CFCarbon-fibre

£0.055/g

PLA reinforced with chopped carbon fibre for added stiffness and a premium matte-black finish. Stiffer and more dimensionally stable than standard PLA, with reduced warping on large parts.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PLA-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.30 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 55 °C
Tensile modulus: ~6 GPa
Surface: Matte composite black
UV resistance: Poor

Typical use cases

· Stiff jigs and fixtures
· Drone frames
· Light functional brackets
· Display hardware

Good for

· Higher stiffness than standard PLA
· Reduced warping on long parts
· Premium matte composite look

Not great for

· Impact loads (CF makes it stiffer but more brittle)
· Hot environments

PETG-CFCarbon-fibre

£0.060/g

PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre. Stiffer, more dimensionally stable, and more heat-resistant than standard PETG, a solid all-rounder for light-duty engineering parts.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PETG-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.30 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 75 °C
Tensile modulus: ~5 GPa
Surface: Matte composite
UV resistance: Moderate

Typical use cases

· Functional brackets
· Tooling & jigs
· Drone & RC components
· Mounting hardware

Good for

· Higher stiffness than standard PETG
· Reduced warping on flat parts
· Mild outdoor and chemical exposure

Not great for

· Impact-heavy uses (more brittle than plain PETG)
· Sustained temperatures above ~80 °C

PA6-CFCarbon-fibre

£0.095/g

Carbon-fibre reinforced PA6 nylon. A go-to engineering composite for stiff, strong, low-friction parts, gears, end-effectors, and load-bearing brackets. Strong fatigue life and great wear resistance.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PA6-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.18 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 180 °C
Tensile strength: ~115 MPa
Tensile modulus: ~8 GPa
Surface: Matte composite black

Typical use cases

· Drive gears & sprockets
· Robotic end-effectors
· Load-bearing brackets
· Wear-prone mechanisms

Good for

· High stiffness and strength
· Low friction sliding surfaces
· Repeated mechanical load

Not great for

· Humid environments without drying (PA6 absorbs moisture)
· Cosmetic show-surface parts

PAHT-CFHigh-temp carbon-fibre

£0.105/g

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PAHT-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.19 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): 190 °C
Tensile strength: ~120 MPa
Tensile modulus: ~9 GPa
Moisture absorption: Low

Typical use cases

· Under-bonnet brackets
· Hot-end mounts
· Industrial fixtures
· Tooling near machinery

Good for

· Sustained operation above 100 °C
· Lower moisture pickup than PA6
· Chemical and oil exposure

Not great for

· Cost-sensitive prototypes
· Decorative parts

PET-CFCarbon-fibre

£0.090/g

Engineering-grade PET with chopped carbon fibre. Higher heat resistance than PETG-CF and excellent dimensional stability, a strong choice for industrial fixtures and tooling that lives in warm environments.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PET-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.30 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): ~95 °C
Tensile strength: ~85 MPa
Tensile modulus: ~7 GPa

Typical use cases

· Industrial fixtures
· Hot-side tooling
· Functional engineering parts

Good for

· Higher temperature than PETG-CF
· Excellent dimensional stability
· Stiff functional parts

Not great for

· Impact-heavy applications
· Decorative parts

PPA-CFHigh-perf carbon-fibre

£0.130/g

Carbon-fibre reinforced polyphthalamide, a high-performance nylon engineered for the toughest jobs. Excellent strength at high temperature, low moisture absorption, and great chemical resistance. A near-metal replacement in the right design.

Available colours

Carbon Black

Quote in PPA-CF

Technical data

Density: 1.21 g/cm³
Heat deflection (HDT): ~210 °C
Tensile strength: ~145 MPa
Tensile modulus: ~13 GPa
Moisture absorption: Very low

Typical use cases

· High-performance brackets
· Engine-bay components
· Industrial end-use parts
· Structural tooling

Good for

· Sustained temperatures up to ~150 °C
· High strength-to-weight ratio
· Chemical and fuel resistance

Not great for

· Cost-sensitive prototypes
· Cosmetic surface parts

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Last reviewed May 2026 · Rigid Prints engineering team