Materials Guide
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Technical guide
Which material should you use for marine 3D printing?
The marine environment is one of the harshest for polymers: salt, UV, heat and mechanical loads all work against your components. This guide helps you choose the right material for every situation — from a simple fitting to a structural part.
Excellent
Good
Poor
Standard — everyday parts and fittings
PETG
Most popular
The default choice for marine use. Waterproof, easy to print, flexible enough to absorb vibrations. Works on any FDM printer without an enclosure. Ideal for brackets, covers, cable guides and general fittings.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
ASA
Best outdoors
Superior choice for parts permanently exposed to sun and weather. Outperforms PETG in UV stability and heat resistance. Requires an enclosure or stable ambient temperature. Perfect for cockpit fittings, antenna mounts and external accessories.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
TPU
Flexible
Rubber-like material, ideal where you need flexibility, grip or vibration absorption. Perfect for gaskets, edge protectors, non-slip pads, cable protection and fender holders. Not suitable for rigid structural parts.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
Carbon fibre reinforced — high-load structural parts
PETG-CF
Rigid & light
Carbon fibre filled PETG — significantly stiffer and lighter than standard PETG, with excellent dimensional stability. Ideal for structural brackets, instrument mounts and parts that must hold tight tolerances under load. Requires a hardened steel nozzle. Not flexible — avoid thin snap-fit geometries.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
ASA-CF
Premium outdoor
The best of both worlds — carbon fibre stiffness combined with ASA's UV and heat resistance. The top choice for structural external parts exposed to direct sun. Harder to print than PETG-CF, requires an enclosed printer and hardened nozzle. Worth the effort for critical components.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
PA12-CF
High performance
Nylon 12 with carbon fibre — extremely tough, impact resistant and stable even in humid environments. Excellent for high mechanical stress components: cleats, winch parts, safety hardware. Hygroscopic — filament must be kept dry and printed hot. Best results with an enclosed printer.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
Technical — specialist applications
Nylon (PA12)
Tough & flexible
Excellent fatigue resistance without the brittleness of carbon fibre. Good for parts that flex repeatedly — hinges, straps, gear covers. Absorbs moisture over time, reducing stiffness; apply a top-coat for prolonged immersion. Requires dry filament and high print temperatures.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
PP
Chemical resistant
Exceptional chemical resistance — perfect for parts in contact with fuel, oils or bilge fluids. Lightweight, naturally waxy surface that repels moisture. Difficult to print due to warping and bed adhesion. Niche use: fuel system fittings, bilge area components, battery covers.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
PEEK / PEI
Extreme use
Ultra-high performance polymers — heat resistant up to 150–250°C, comparable to aluminium in some applications. Overkill for most marine components, but the right call for engine bay parts, exhaust proximity, or parts under sustained extreme load. Require an industrial printer (300°C+ nozzle). Best ordered through online print services.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
PLA
Not recommended
Easy to print but degrades quickly under heat and moisture. Starts deforming at 55–60°C — a cockpit in summer easily exceeds this. Use it only for fit-check prototypes before printing in the final material. Never use on board.
UV
Waterproof
Rigidity
Printability
Every MarineLab3D product indicates the recommended material for that specific design. When in doubt, PETG is the safe default for most components. For structural parts, high loads or continuous sun exposure, move up to ASA-CF or PETG-CF.
Material chosen?
Find out where to get it printed — yourself, at a local shop, or by ordering online.