Understanding Chemical Compatibility of Additive Manufacturing Materials: A Practical Guide

Published on June 6, 2022

Originally published on fastradius.com on June 6, 2022

When selecting a material for additive manufacturing, knowing how it will react to chemicals in its operating environment is crucial. To simplify this decision, we have compiled data from leading industry partners—Carbon, HP, and Stratasys—into a clear, evidence‑based comparison.

Our partners employed rigorous testing protocols to evaluate chemical resistance. For instance, DLS materials were submerged for one week and their weight gain measured, following ASTM D543. Materials ranging from ULTEM 9085 to RPU 70 were exposed to common household chemicals (sunscreen, bleach, chlorinated hydrocarbons), industrial fluids (windshield washer fluid, diesel), and strong acids or bases (sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide). Those that absorbed the most substance received lower ratings, indicating a higher likelihood of degradation under real‑world conditions; materials with minimal absorption earned higher rankings. Similarly, FDM and MJF parts were scored on their susceptibility to degradation during immediate, short‑term, and long‑term exposure.

It is important to note that these scores reflect chemical uptake, not mechanical or dimensional changes post‑exposure. Use this chart as a first‑pass filter to narrow material choices for specific environments. For production‑grade parts, formal testing and validation are still required.

Contact our team to translate these findings into a tailored material selection strategy for your next additive project.

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