Finding the right material for rapid prototyping is important since it will determine the strength, detail, and cost of your prototype. Rapid prototyping also employs materials that are easy to manipulate. Below are some of the most used:

1. Plastics: The Most Popular Choice

Plastics are used in 3D printing (the most common rapid prototyping method) because they’re cheap and easy to shape. The two main types are:

·PLA (Polylactic Acid): Made from plants (like corn), it’s the best for beginners. It melts at low temperatures, prints smoothly, and comes in many colours. Good for simple prototypes—like keyrings, small plant pots, or toy parts. It’s not super strong, so don’t use it for parts that need to hold weight.

·ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Tougher and more flexible than PLA. It can handle small impacts (like a toy car bumping into a wall) without breaking. Great for prototypes that need durability—such as phone case samples or small tool handles. It needs a bit more heat to print, but it’s still easy to use.

2. Resins: For Super Detailed Prototypes

UV light cures liquid resin SLA 3D printing. They’re great for intricate projects.

·Standard Resins: Available in clear and coloured options, they can create smooth, detailed pieces—like miniature jewellery, small figurines, and dental aligner prototypes. They’re primarily for display and shape testing, as they have low strength and cannot handle heavy use.

·Tough Resins: These are stronger versions of standard resin. They are great for detailed prototypes needing light strength, such as miniature electronic component samples, like remote controls.

3. Metals: For Strong, Industrial Prototypes

When a prototype needs to have the characteristics of a real metal part, CNC machining and 3D printing metals are the best options:

·Aluminium: Ideal for lightweight and sturdy prototypes of automotive parts (like small brackets) and machine components. It’s also easy to cut and shape which makes it a popular material for industrial tests.

·Stainless Steel: Even stronger and rust-resistant, it is used for durable prototypes like small kitchen tool parts (e.g., knife handle samples) or components of outdoor equipment. It provides great endurance for the lightweight parts.

4. Other Useful Materials

If you have certain needs, you might prefer simpler options:

·Foam: Soft and easy to cut. Great for big, rough prototypes—like a large model of a furniture frame (to test size and shape).

·Cardboard/Paper: Super cheap. Good for quick, temporary prototypes—like a rough box design to check if a product fits inside.

It all depends on what you are testing to determine what the best material will be. Use PLA for simple shapes, resin for detailed shapes, and metal if you need strength. That way, your prototype will function exactly how you need it to.