When choosing a 3D Material de impressão, heat resistance temperature is far more than a technical detail—it directly determines whether the final part can withstand real-world conditions, from daily use (Por exemplo, a PLA cup near a coffee maker) to industrial applications (Por exemplo, a PC component in a car engine bay). This article breaks down the key heat resistance metrics of 8 materiais comuns, explains how to use this data, and solves common material-selection mistakes.
1. Core Heat Resistance Metrics: What Do They Actually Mean?
Before comparing materials, it’s critical to understand the two most important heat-related terms—confusing them often leads to failed prints or unusable parts. Below is a simple breakdown using a “question-and-answer” estrutura:
| Métrica | Definição | Practical Significance |
| Temperatura de deformação térmica (TDT) | The temperature at which a material bends or deforms under a fixed load (geralmente 1.82 MPa for 3D printing). | This is the “safe upper limit” Para a maioria das partes. If your part will be exposed to temperatures above its TDT (Por exemplo, a PLA phone stand near a 70°C laptop vent), it will warp or lose shape. |
| Vitrification Transition Temperature (TG) | For amorphous materials (Por exemplo, PLA), this is the temperature where the material softens from a “glassy” state to a “rubbery” estado (no melting, just flexibility). | A PLA part with a Tg of 55–65°C will feel soft and bendable if left in a hot car (where interior temps can reach 60°C+), even if it doesn’t melt. |
| Ponto de fusão / Complete Melting Temperature | The temperature at which a crystalline material (Por exemplo, Abs, PA) fully turns from solid to liquid. | This is the minimum temperature your 3D printer’s nozzle needs to reach to print the material. It also tells you the “absolute failure point”—exposing a printed part to this temperature will destroy it. |
| Long-Term Use Temperature | The maximum temperature a material can withstand continuously (Por exemplo, 8 horas por dia, 5 days a week) sem degradação. | A PETG part with a long-term use temperature of ≤100°C is safe for a water bottle that holds 95°C hot water, but not for a part in a 110°C oven. |
2. Heat Resistance Comparison of 8 Common 3D Printing Materials
The table below organizes the key heat data for 8 widely used materials, sorted from lowest to highest thermal deformation temperature (TDT) for easy comparison. All values are based on standard 3D printing grades (not industrial modified versions).
| Material | Temperatura de deformação térmica (° c) | Key Additional Heat Metrics | Melhor para (Based on Heat Resistance) |
| PLA | N / D (uses Tg instead) | TG: 55–65°C; Softening temp: 170–230 ° C. | Aplicações com baixo teto: Modelos decorativos, non-heated food containers, or parts used indoors (20–25 ° C.). |
| TPU | N / D (elastic material) | Thermal decomposition temp: 200–250 ° C.; Long-term use temp: 80–100 ° C. | Flexible parts that avoid high heat: Casos de telefone, Insolas de sapatos, or soft gaskets (not for use near heaters). |
| Petg | 85–88°C | Long-term use temp: ≤100 ° C.; Max continuous service temp: 120–140 ° C. | Moderate-heat needs: garrafas de água (holds hot drinks), lamp shades (near 60–80°C bulbs), or 3D printer enclosures. |
| Abs | 70–105°C | Complete melting temp: 210–250 ° C. | Parts needing slight heat resistance: Carros de brinquedo (exposed to sunlight), basic tool handles (no prolonged contact with hot surfaces). |
| Pp | 100–110 ° C. | Long-term use temp: ≤100 ° C. | Seguro de comida, low-to-moderate heat parts: reusable containers (microwavable for short periods, <90° c) or outdoor planters (resists summer heat). |
| Acrílico | 90–105°C | Softening temp: 100–120 ° C. | Transparent parts with mild heat resistance: Exibir casos, clear model windows (not for use near stoves or heaters). |
| computador (Policarbonato) | 135–145°C | Long-term operating temp: -40 to 130°C; Thermal decomposition temp: ≥300°C | High-heat, peças duráveis: Componentes internos automotivos (near 120°C vents), Loucas de luz LED, ou peças de máquinas industriais. |
| PA (Nylon) | ≥220°C (Por exemplo, PA66: ~270°C) | Ponto de fusão: 210–230 ° C. | Extreme-heat industrial applications: Componentes do compartimento do motor (withstands 180–200°C), high-temperature gaskets, or drone parts exposed to friction heat. |
3. How to Choose the Right Material Based on Heat Needs: 3 Step-by-Step Scenarios
Heat resistance data is only useful if you apply it to your specific project. Abaixo estão 3 common real-world scenarios, each using a “narrativa linear” structure to guide material selection:
Cenário 1: A Reusable Food Container (Needs to Hold 95°C Hot Soup)
- Define the heat requirement: Continuous exposure to 95°C (sem deformação).
- Filter materials by key metric: Look for materials with a long-term use temperature ≥95°C ou TDT ≥95°C.
- Eliminate PLA (Tg too low: 55–65°C) e abs (TDT max 105°C, but long-term use temp untested for food).
- Final choice: Petg (long-term use temp ≤100°C, food-safe grades available) ou pp (TDT 100–110°C, Microondas segura).
Cenário 2: A 3D Printer Enclosure Panel (Needs to Withstand 120°C Nozzle Heat)
- Define the heat requirement: Resist intermittent 120°C heat (from the printer’s nozzle) sem deformação.
- Filter materials by key metric: Priorize max continuous service temp ≥120°C ou TDT ≥120°C.
- Eliminate PETG (max continuous temp 120–140°C, but TDT 85–88°C—risk of deformation under slight pressure).
- Final choice: computador (TDT 135–145°C, resistente ao impacto) ou PA (TDT ≥220°C, Mas mais caro).
Cenário 3: A Decorative Desk Organizer (Only Exposed to 20–25°C Indoor Heat)
- Define the heat requirement: No special heat needs—focus on cost and printability.
- Filter materials by key metric: Any material with Tg/TDT above 25°C (all common materials qualify).
- Final choice: PLA (baixo custo, fácil de imprimir, Sem cama aquecida necessária) ou tpu (if you want a soft, flexible organizer).
4. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Material Heat Resistance
Na tecnologia Yigu, Nós vimos 60% of client part failures stem from mismatched heat resistance—e.g., an automotive client once used ABS for a 110°C engine component (ABS’s max TDT is 105°C), leading to a production delay. To solve this, we integrate two tools into our workflow: 1) um material heat-resistance database (updated with 50+ notas) to help clients select materials in 5 minutos; 2) pre-print heat tests (Por exemplo, exposing sample parts to target temps for 24 horas) Para verificar o desempenho. Para usuários, understanding heat resistance isn’t just about specs—it’s about ensuring parts work as intended, toda vez.
Perguntas frequentes: Common Questions About 3D Printing Material Heat Resistance
- P: Can I increase a material’s heat resistance after printing (Por exemplo, coating PLA)?
UM: Sim, mas apenas um pouco. Por exemplo, applying a heat-resistant spray (Por exemplo, Krylon High Heat) can raise PLA’s Tg by 5–10°C, but it won’t make it match PETG. For high-heat needs, choose the right material from the start.
- P: Why does my ABS part warp even though it’s below its TDT (70–105°C)?
UM: ABS is sensitive to mudanças de temperatura, not just high temps. If one side of the part is near a cold window (20° c) and the other near a heater (30° c), the uneven expansion will cause warping—even at temps well below its TDT.
- P: É “long-term use temperature” the same as “max continuous service temperature”?
UM: Almost—they refer to the same concept (sustained heat resistance). The only difference: “long-term use temperature” is often used for consumer parts (Por exemplo, PETG bottles), enquanto “max continuous service temperature” is more common for industrial materials (Por exemplo, PC for car parts).