Processes
FDM / FFF
A heated nozzle deposits thermoplastic filament along a programmed path.
Before buying: Check feedstock diameter, hot end, nozzle, bed, chamber and conditioning.
Check printer compatibility in layers ↗PLAIN-LANGUAGE REFERENCE
What does that
term actually mean?
34 material, process and buying terms. Each definition includes the question that makes it useful in a purchasing conversation.
34 terms
Processes
SLS
Selective laser sintering: an energy source forms parts in a polymer powder bed.
Before buying: Match powder, thermal process, recovery and refresh guidance.
SLS refresh rate and reused powder, explained ↗Processes
SLA / DLP / LCD
Vat-photopolymerization approaches that cure formulated resin using light.
Before buying: Confirm machine/profile, resin preparation, cleaning and post-curing.
Choose resin as a complete print-and-cure system ↗Processes
LPBF
Laser powder-bed fusion, commonly used to form metal parts from specified powders.
Before buying: Specify alloy, powder characteristics, machine and qualified parameter route.
What makes a metal-powder batch acceptable? ↗Processes
DED
Directed energy deposition introduces feedstock into a localized energy-driven deposition process.
Before buying: Name the installed system and its feedstock specification.
Specify printing powder beyond the material name ↗Processes
Green part
An intermediate printed state; in bound systems it still contains binder, and in resin printing it is before required final processing.
Before buying: Identify the final state in which dimensions and properties will be approved.
Ceramic and bound-metal feedstocks need a downstream process ↗Processes
Debinding
Removal of binder from a formed feedstock part using the dedicated system’s route.
Before buying: Confirm compatible downstream equipment/provider and process requirements.
Ceramic and bound-metal feedstocks need a downstream process ↗Processes
Sintering
A controlled thermal process that develops a ceramic or metal part from a suitable formed feedstock.
Before buying: Plan shrinkage, supports, final density and dimensional acceptance.
Ceramic and bound-metal feedstocks need a downstream process ↗Properties
Tensile strength
Stress associated with a defined result in a tensile test, usually reported in MPa.
Before buying: Compare test method, specimen, orientation and conditioning.
Strength, stiffness and toughness describe different jobs ↗Properties
Modulus
A measure relating stress and strain within a specified range; useful when assessing stiffness.
Before buying: Consider geometry and loading as well as the material value.
Strength, stiffness and toughness describe different jobs ↗Properties
Elongation at break
Extension at fracture in a specified test, usually expressed as a percentage.
Before buying: Do not substitute it for a repeated-flex or fatigue-life test.
Strength, stiffness and toughness describe different jobs ↗Properties
Impact result
A material or part’s response in a defined impact test.
Before buying: Keep notch condition, method, specimen and units with the number.
Strength, stiffness and toughness describe different jobs ↗Properties
HDT
Heat-deflection temperature: a specified deflection reached under a defined test load.
Before buying: Request stress, specimen state and preparation; assess actual service conditions separately.
HDT, glass transition and service temperature ↗Properties
Tg / glass transition
A temperature region associated with a change in polymer mobility and behavior.
Before buying: A Tg value alone does not qualify a loaded finished part.
HDT, glass transition and service temperature ↗Properties
Creep
Time-dependent deformation under sustained stress.
Before buying: State load, dwell, temperature and permitted dimensional change.
Strength, stiffness and toughness describe different jobs ↗Properties
Shore A / Shore D
Different indentation-hardness scales used for materials with different hardness ranges.
Before buying: Keep the scale with the number and test a representative part geometry.
Strength, stiffness and toughness describe different jobs ↗Processes
Annealing
A controlled thermal treatment that can change polymer structure, stress and dimensions.
Before buying: Use the exact-grade procedure and inspect dimensions afterward.
HDT, glass transition and service temperature ↗Processes
Moisture conditioning
Bringing a material or test specimen to a defined moisture-related state.
Before buying: Distinguish print preparation from the finished specimen state in the TDS.
Drying and storage: control moisture before tuning ↗Powders
D10 / D50 / D90
Particle-size percentiles on a stated distribution basis. D50 is the median on that basis.
Before buying: Request measurement method, sampling and volume/number/mass basis.
Specify printing powder beyond the material name ↗Powders
Apparent / tap density
Powder packing measurements made under stated loose or tapping conditions.
Before buying: Keep the method with the result; these differ from solid-material density.
Specify printing powder beyond the material name ↗Powders
Flowability
Powder flow behavior measured through a defined test or process.
Before buying: Compare the same method and relevance to the installed feeding/spreading system.
What makes a metal-powder batch acceptable? ↗Powders
Refresh rate
Here, fresh powder mass divided by total fresh-plus-used blend mass.
Before buying: Confirm the grade’s definition and approved blend requirements.
SLS refresh rate and reused powder, explained ↗Powders
Reclaimed powder
Powder recovered from a process for assessment under its permitted reuse route.
Before buying: Track condition and history; recovery does not automatically approve reuse.
SLS refresh rate and reused powder, explained ↗Processes
Post-curing
A specified light/thermal treatment applied after resin printing and required preparation.
Before buying: Use the grade-specific schedule for the published finished-part properties.
Choose resin as a complete print-and-cure system ↗Buying & quality
TDS
Technical Data Sheet: grade information that may include typical properties and processing guidance.
Before buying: Check specimen state and distinguish typical data from agreed acceptance limits.
TDS, SDS, COA and CoC: use the right document ↗Buying & quality
SDS
Safety Data Sheet: product-specific hazard, handling and other safety information.
Before buying: Match product identity, supplied form and current revision.
TDS, SDS, COA and CoC: use the right document ↗Buying & quality
COA
Certificate of Analysis: the stated test results for an identified batch.
Before buying: Agree which tests, methods and limits the report will contain.
TDS, SDS, COA and CoC: use the right document ↗Buying & quality
CoC
Certificate of Conformance: a declaration of conformity within its stated scope.
Before buying: Confirm the specification and whether measured results are supplied separately.
TDS, SDS, COA and CoC: use the right document ↗Buying & quality
Lot / batch
An identified production or supply group used for traceability.
Before buying: Connect the container label, sample, documents and order records.
Packaging, batch labels and repeat-order control ↗Buying & quality
MOQ
Minimum order quantity for a particular commercial scope.
Before buying: Ask separately for material, color/specification and customized packaging.
Prepare a private-label material brief ↗Buying & quality
White label / private label
A branding/supply arrangement whose material and customization scope must be agreed.
Before buying: Separate existing-grade relabeling from a new formulation or color project.
Prepare a private-label material brief ↗Buying & quality
Yield
The fraction of attempted output that meets the defined acceptance requirement.
Before buying: State the part, test and counting basis before using it in a cost estimate.
Compare cost per accepted part, not only price per kilogram ↗Material claims
Biobased
A description of biological feedstock origin, in whole or in part.
Before buying: Request content and evidence for the actual formulation.
Biobased, recycled and compostable: ask for specifics ↗Material claims
Compostable
A claim tied to defined composting conditions and criteria for a specified product.
Before buying: Check scope and the available treatment route; home and industrial conditions differ.
Biobased, recycled and compostable: ask for specifics ↗No matching term. Try another spelling or clear the filters.
Definitions are introductory. The linked guides provide context and original references; the exact grade, test method and order specification remain important.
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