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Materials4 min read

H13 Tool Steel DMLS: Printing Injection Mould Inserts with Conformal Cooling Channels

H13 tool steel DMLS produces mould inserts with internal conformal cooling channels that cut cycle times 20-40%. Here is the material, design rules, and economics for Indian toolmakers.

LX
Layer X Team
31 May 2026 · 4 min
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02· Materials

SLA Resin Types Explained: Standard, Engineering, Castable, Dental and Biocompatible

Not all SLA resins are equal. Standard, engineering, flexible, castable, and dental-grade resins serve completely different applications. This guide maps resin to application correctly.

LXLayer X Team
4 min
03· Materials

17-4 PH Stainless Steel DMLS: Precipitation Hardening for High-Strength Applications

17-4 PH stainless steel can be 3D printed by DMLS and heat treated to multiple strength levels. Here is when to choose it over 316L and how heat treatment conditions affect properties.

LXLayer X Team
3 min
04· Materials

Flexible 3D Printing with TPU: Gaskets, Grips, Wearables and Soft Robotics

TPU 3D printing delivers flexible, rubber-like parts with tunable Shore A hardness. Here are the applications, design rules, and process tips from Layer X.

LXLayer X Team
4 min
05· Materials

PETG vs Nylon vs Polycarbonate: Choosing the Right Engineering Polymer for 3D Printing

PETG, PA12 nylon, and polycarbonate each dominate different application niches. This comparison cuts through marketing to give engineers the data they need.

LXLayer X Team
3 min
06· Materials

AlSi10Mg Aluminium 3D Printing: Properties, Applications and Design Considerations

AlSi10Mg is the most widely used aluminium alloy in DMLS metal 3D printing. Lightweight, heat-treatable, and weldable—here is everything engineers need to know.

LXLayer X Team
3 min
07· Materials

ASA vs ABS for FDM 3D Printing: UV Stability, Outdoor Use, and Which Material Wins

ASA and ABS share the same print profile but serve different ends. Compare UV stability, impact retention, printability, post-processing, and cost to specify the right material.

RMRiya Mehta
5 min
08· Materials

Inconel 718 in DMLS: Engineering with Nickel Superalloys for Extreme Environments

Inconel 718 in DMLS: composition, processing challenges, heat treatment sequence, and applications in turbomachinery, oil and gas, and aerospace propulsion.

APArjun Patel
6 min
09· Materials

316L Stainless Steel in DMLS: Corrosion Resistance, Biocompatibility, and Industrial Applications

DMLS 316L stainless steel: corrosion resistance vs wrought, biocompatibility certification, electropolishing options, and key applications in medical, food, and chemical industries.

PNPriya Nair
5 min
10· Materials

Ti-6Al-4V in DMLS: Microstructure, Heat Treatment, and Aerospace Qualification

Ti-6Al-4V in DMLS: as-built microstructure, HIP, annealing, double ageing, final mechanical properties, and aerospace qualification requirements explained.

APArjun Patel
5 min
11· Materials

PA12 vs PA12-CF: The Engineer's Complete SLS Nylon Comparison

PA12 vs PA12-CF for SLS: a data-driven comparison of stiffness, ductility, surface finish, cost, and the applications where each material wins.

RMRiya Mehta
5 min
12· Materials

3D Printing Materials Guide 2025: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Nylon & Beyond

A hands-on comparison of every major FDM filament and resin — when to use each, real-world temperature ratings, and chemical resistance notes.

RPRavi Patel
4 min
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