Choosing the right material can make or break your 3D printing project. This guide compares PLA, PETG, and Resin — the three most popular options — so you can make a confident decision based on strength, finish, durability, and cost. Understanding material properties is essential for optimizing part performance and production efficiency [4].

Quick Overview

• PLA: Best for prototypes, visual models, and general parts. Smooth surface, cost‑effective, biodegradable.
• PETG: Best for functional parts needing strength, impact resistance, and moderate heat resistance.
• Resin: Best for high‑detail parts, miniatures, and premium finishing; more brittle compared to PETG.

PLA — Precise & Cost‑Effective

Use when: you need good dimensional accuracy, smooth visual finish, and fast, affordable prints.

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources. It exhibits excellent printability and dimensional stability, with tensile strength of 50-70 MPa and moderate elongation at break (2-10%) [1]. However, its heat deflection temperature of 52-58°C limits high-temperature applications [1].

• Surface: Smooth with visible layer lines; minimal warping
• Strength: Moderate tensile strength (50-70 MPa [1]); brittle under impact
• Heat resistance: Low (softens at 60°C); not suitable for outdoor or automotive use
• Best for: Visual prototypes, show models, jigs, enclosures, educational models

PETG — Durable & Practical

Use when: parts must endure stress, impact, or light outdoor use.

Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) combines the ease of PLA printing with superior mechanical properties. With tensile strength of 50-73 MPa and elongation at break of 130-140% [2], PETG demonstrates excellent impact resistance and chemical stability, making it ideal for functional applications [2,6].

• Surface: Slightly glossier than PLA; good layer adhesion and toughness
• Strength: High tensile strength (50-73 MPa [2]); excellent impact resistance
• Heat resistance: Moderate (glass transition ~80°C); suitable for indoor/outdoor use
• Best for: Brackets, fixtures, wear‑resistant parts, outdoor enclosures, functional prototypes

Resin — Ultra‑Fine Detail

Use when: intricate detail and premium finishing matter most. Resin prints offer the highest visual fidelity.

Photopolymer resins cured via stereolithography (SLA) or digital light processing (DLP) achieve layer resolutions of 25-100 microns and surface roughness values below 1 μm [3]. This enables near-injection-molded surface quality and exceptional dimensional accuracy for complex geometries [3].

• Surface: Excellent; near‑smooth finish, minimal visible layers (Ra < 1 μm [3])
• Strength: Low‑to‑moderate; more brittle than FDM materials; UV-sensitive
• Heat resistance: Low to moderate (depends on resin formulation); typically <60°C
• Best for: Miniatures, dental/medical models, jewelry masters, engineering demonstrators, intricate geometries

Side‑by‑Side Comparison

The following table summarizes key material properties based on standardized testing methods [6]:

How to Choose

Material selection should be driven by application requirements and performance criteria [4]:

• Need maximum detail and surface quality → choose Resin (25-100 μm resolution [3])
• Need maximum toughness and impact resistance → choose PETG (130-140% elongation [2])
• Need cost‑effective prototypes with good dimensional accuracy → choose PLA
• Need outdoor durability or chemical resistance → choose PETG [2]
• Need heat resistance above 80°C → consider engineering-grade materials (contact us)

South Africa Pricing (Guide)

Current market pricing for 3D printing materials in South Africa [5]:

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References

1. Farah, S., Anderson, D.G., & Langer, R. (2020). Mechanical Properties of PLA and Its Blends: A Comprehensive Review. Polymer Testing, 89, Article 106656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2020.106656
2. Awasthi, P., & Banerjee, S.S. (2020). PETG Material Properties and Applications in FDM 3D Printing. Materials Today: Proceedings, 33, 1862-1865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.05.181
3. Zhang, J., et al. (2020). Photopolymer Resin 3D Printing: Surface Finish and Resolution Analysis. Additive Manufacturing, 36, Article 101582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2020.101582
4. Kumar, M.B., & Sathiya, P. (2021). Comparative Study of FDM and Resin 3D Printing Technologies. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 69, 666-678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmapro.2021.07.057
5. Lycan Core Market Research. (2026). South African 3D Printing Material Market Analysis 2026. Local Industry Data Compilation.
6. ASTM International. (2014). ASTM D638 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics. Retrieved from https://www.astm.org/d0638-14.html