What materials are most suitable for outdoor components or products? Is UV resistance the only consideration? It turns out that several plastic properties contribute to durable outdoor applications, including moisture resistance, temperature resistance, and color stability.Existing outdoor products, such as furniture, gardening equipment, and toys, are often made from polyethylene (PE). Unfortunately, PE cannot be used for 3D printing due to its low melting point (much lower than PLA) and poor layer adhesion.Whether for functional or decorative parts, choosing the right material can significantly impact their resistance to environmental factors such as sunlight, heat, cold, chemicals, and moisture.Ultraviolet (UV) light is one of the most destructive environmental factors for plastics. UV rays from the sun break down the chemical bonds in polymers through a process called photodegradation, which not only leads to visible changes, such as yellowing or whitening (“chalkiness”), but also deteriorates physical properties. The second major hazard for plastics is moisture. While we often think of plastics as waterproof, different polymers absorb moisture at different rates, leading to swelling that may go unnoticed but can severely damage the strength and functionality of outdoor components over time.Temperature extremes are also an important factor to consider. Although most plastics do not melt even in the hottest outdoor environments, they can soften enough to cause mechanical failure, which is a concern for any functional parts like brackets, clips, or enclosures. Another consideration is whether your parts will come into contact with any chemicals, solvents, oils, or similar substances, such as pool chemicals, bicycle grease, or even many pollutants.Since no single 3D printing polymer material excels in UV, chemical, heat, and moisture resistance, you need to choose materials with specific strengths suitable for your application.At the bottom of the list is PLA UV, which has a surprising characteristic: it changes color when exposed to sunlight.01 PETG
PETG is a popular choice for outdoor 3D printing due to its excellent strength, impact resistance, and weatherability. It has good UV resistance, making it less likely to yellow or degrade when exposed to sunlight for extended periods, although it is not as UV resistant as another transparent material, PC.
PETG has good chemical resistance, making it suitable for outdoor environments exposed to various elements. However, as a thermoplastic polyester, it can deform at high temperatures, so it should be kept out of direct sunlight all day to avoid warping.
There are special versions of PETG that enhance UV resistance, such as Eolas Prints UV-resistant PETG filament, which has been modified to improve its UV resistance, maintaining its color for at least five years. The trade-off is that this version of PETG is not food-safe. You can also use another variant to enhance the strength of UV-resistant PETG, such as glass fiber reinforced PETG GF UV produced by companies like Nanovia.
02 ASA
ASA is designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, making it an ideal choice for 3D printed outdoor products and parts without losing its mechanical properties or color. It has high UV resistance, ensuring long-term color stability and preventing degradation from prolonged sun exposure.
ASA also maintains its mechanical properties over a wide temperature range, further enhancing its suitability for outdoor products that may freeze in winter and become more humid in summer. ASA exhibits good chemical resistance to oils and solvents, making it suitable for applications exposed to various substances.
Additionally, consider offering higher mechanical performance with ASA blends, such as ASA/PC and ASA/PVC.
While ASA is created for outdoor use and has strong mechanical properties, it is not our only preferred option because ASA releases potentially harmful fumes during printing and requires a 3D printer nozzle temperature of about 230ºC. However, if you order parts from a printing service, ASA will be our top choice for all types of outdoor parts.
03 Nylon
Nylon (PA12 and the more eco-friendly PA11) is known for its strength, toughness, and flexibility, making it a versatile material for outdoor applications. It has excellent impact resistance, able to withstand bending and flexing without breaking, making it suitable for functional parts that bear different loads. Nylon has good chemical resistance, but it does absorb moisture.
Compared to PA12, PA11 is less affected by UV light and is commonly used in outdoor applications that require prolonged sun exposure, such as automotive parts, outdoor equipment, and construction fixtures. It is also known for its resistance to many common chemicals, including oils, greases, fuels, solvents, and alkaline solutions.
If you are looking for performance specifically for outdoor use with PA11, look for UV-stabilized polyamide 11, which includes additives.
UV stabilizers are additives mixed into the nylon polymer during filament production. Their role is to absorb or block UV radiation, preventing it from breaking down the polymer chains, which can lead to brittleness, discoloration, and loss of mechanical properties.
UV absorbers, such as benzotriazole, absorb harmful UV rays before they can degrade or discolor the nylon.
Even with UV stabilization, applying a UV-resistant clear spray can significantly extend the lifespan of nylon prints.
If the strength and durability of your outdoor functional parts are a top priority, nothing beats PA11, especially when reinforced with carbon fiber or glass fiber. This material is our preferred choice for outdoor sporting goods and functional parts, such as latches. It is also ideal for parts that may encounter chemicals, such as automotive exhaust.
04 PC
For applications requiring maximum UV resistance, polycarbonate is often the preferred choice among 3D printing materials, typically outperforming PETG, although it is generally more expensive. It is particularly suitable for outdoor applications where exposure to sunlight is a significant factor. It is widely used in outdoor lighting fixtures.
PC is widely used in 3D printing due to its excellent mechanical properties, such as high impact resistance, strength, and toughness, as well as good heat resistance and dimensional stability. It is a well-known alternative to glass because it is transparent, has 250 times the impact resistance of glass, and can be drilled without any cracking issues.
Of course, PC is not just clear. It can be colored, remain translucent, or be completely opaque. It can also be blended with other plastics to enhance impact resistance. For example, PC-ABS comes in black and white and is used for products that require greater strength than ABS alone, such as drone bodies and replacement parts. You will also find PC with additives, including carbon fiber.
While inherently UV resistant, some PC materials include additional UV stabilizers in their formulations to further enhance their durability.
For robust and UV-resistant outdoor parts, especially those requiring transparency or translucency, PC is an excellent choice. This material is our preferred option for outdoor lighting. It is also ideal for drone and UAV components that will be exposed to outdoor UV light and need to maintain their rigidity even at high temperatures.
05 TPU
If your outdoor parts require flexibility, such as hose connectors or wheels, then TPU is the only option, partly because there are few alternatives for 3D printing. Compared to TPU, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) has higher chemical resistance, and TPC (thermoplastic copolyester) has better heat resistance, but depending on your application, the slight improvements may not justify the increased cost.
TPU is generally weather-resistant, but it may perform poorly under extreme temperature conditions, especially at high temperatures. Its melting point is relatively low compared to some other materials, which may cause 3D printed parts to deform in high-temperature environments. However, do not dismiss TPU. It is a highly customizable polymer, and filament manufacturers have adjusted it to suit all types of specific applications. For example, BASF Forward AM offers Ultrafuse TPU 85A, which has high wear resistance and excellent low-temperature flexibility, along with high resistance to oils, greases, oxygen, and ozone.
While many brands of TPU degrade over time due to UV radiation and moisture absorption, some varieties of formulations can withstand high outdoor intensity. You may spend more, but if flexibility and durability are your top priorities, this is your best choice.
06 PP
Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile thermoplastic polymer widely used for its physical strength and excellent chemical resistance, but when it comes to outdoor use, it is known for its low moisture absorption and high impermeability. This makes PP very suitable for your outdoor projects, such as irrigation systems, requiring durability and waterproofing. PP is often used in traditional manufacturing methods like injection molding for lawn furniture because it exhibits toughness and flexibility in warm summer months but becomes brittle in cold winter months.
The downside of PP is that it is not as UV resistant as other polymers. Prolonged exposure to UV light can lead to degradation unless your PP filament has UV-blocking additives.
One of the key features of PP is its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it a preferred material for lightweight, durable products such as pipes, tanks, and fittings, with corrosion resistance and durability in various household and industrial applications. PP is often used in traditional manufacturing methods like injection molding for lawn furniture because it exhibits toughness and flexibility in warm summer months but becomes brittle in cold winter months.
For 3D printing projects related to water, such as hose connectors, air conditioning vents, and fountain projects, nothing beats PP. Yes, PVC is often used for piping, and you can 3D print with it, but its high toxicity and hazards during the 3D printing process lead us to recommend PP instead.
07 PLA UV Color Change
PLA UV color-changing filament is not suitable for long-term outdoor use, but it has a unique characteristic of changing color when exposed to UV light, such as outdoor sunlight.
In contrast to UV resistance, it actually absorbs sunlight, triggering a color change. When removed from the light, the 3D printed part will revert to its original color. The specific color change and the UV-activated color are not universal among filament manufacturers, so check the labels. For example, material manufacturer R3D offers an eye-catching white-to-blue filament and a more subtle yellow-to-green option.
If you are wondering why regular PLA did not appear on our list of outdoor suitable materials, it is mainly due to its low heat resistance. PLA deforms and droops at around 40°C. If you really want to use PLA outdoors, look for a specially formulated high-temperature PLA.
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