Technical Data Sheets
You can find all of our TDS documents both typed out and with links to download their PDFs in this section. You can also find them on our Downloads page.
How to Interpret a Material SDS and TDS for FFF 3D Printing
When selecting a filament for FFF 3D printing, makers often encounter two key documents: the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and the Technical Data Sheet (TDS). While the SDS focuses on safe handling, storage, and hazards, the TDS presents the mechanical, thermal, and processing characteristics of the material. Knowing how to read these values allows you to compare materials and optimize settings for your application.
Below is a guide to understanding the values and charts commonly found in a TDS, referencing the Polymaker HT-PLA V1.1 as an example.
Thermal Properties
FFF materials list a number of temperature-related measurements that describe how the plastic behaves under heat.
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): Tg is the temperature where the polymer changes from a rigid, glass-like state to a softer, more rubber-like state. In HT-PLA, Tg is listed at about 59.8°C.
Melting Temperature (Tm): The temperature at which the crystalline regions of the material melt. Here, HT-PLA has a melting point around 177°C. Knowing this ensures you choose an extrusion temperature well above this value for smooth flow. Amorphous polymers do not have a defined melting temperature.
Crystallization Temperature (Tc): The temperature at which amorphous regions of the polymer reorganize into more ordered, crystalline structures as it cools. For HT-PLA, Tc is around 77°C. Strong crystallization increases rigidity and heat resistance after printing.
Decomposition Temperature (Td): This is when the material begins to chemically break apart. For HT-PLA, decomposition occurs around 336°C. Exceeding this temperature risks burning or releasing fumes.
Vicat Softening Temperature (Vicat): The temperature at which a material begins to deform under a set load. HT-PLA shows values above 100°C when annealed. This helps indicate the working range before sagging starts.
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): HDT measures when a material deflects under load at a given temperature. HT-PLA’s HDT is about 58°C as printed, but rises to over 150°C when annealed. This is a key measure of thermal stability for parts used in hot environments.
Interpreting an HDT Curve
An HDT curve plots the deflection of a material under load as temperature increases. Flat portions indicate good resistance to softening, while sharp drops show the transition point where plastic deformation occurs. For HT-PLA, the curve demonstrates why annealing dramatically improves high-temperature performance, shifting the softening point by up to 50°C.
Mechanical Properties
Understanding tensile, flexural, and impact tests is critical, as these show how strong, stiff, and tough a filament is.
Tensile Strength: The maximum stress a material can withstand while being pulled before breaking. HT-PLA shows ~43 MPa in the XY direction, but only ~20 MPa in Z, showing the layer bonding weakness common in FFF parts.
Young’s Modulus: A measure of stiffness under tension. Values are given in megapascals. HT-PLA has ~3000 MPa, indicating it is relatively stiff compared to flexible materials like TPU. Higher modulus means less stretch under load.
Elongation at Break: The strain (percentage stretch) the material can undergo before rupture. HT-PLA elongates under 3 percent before breaking, making it a stiff and brittle material compared to nylons or TPU.
Bending (Flexural) Strength: The stress the material can withstand before breaking when bent. For HT-PLA, values approach 66–74 MPa in-plane, reflecting good rigidity.
Bending Modulus (Flexural Modulus): Similar to Young’s modulus, but measured under bending loads rather than pulling. This helps predict stiffness of beams and load-bearing parts.
Notched Charpy Impact Strength: Measures how much energy the sample can absorb from a sudden impact. HT-PLA shows values around 4–5 kJ/m², which is modest compared to impact-modified grades like ABS or PC blends. This test highlights brittleness or toughness.
Printing and Processing Data
A TDS typically includes recommended printing conditions:
Nozzle temperature: 210–230°C for HT-PLA
Bed temperature: 25–60°C
Drying requirement: 60°C for 6 hours if moisture is absorbed
Printing speed: up to 300 mm/s
Annealing: 30 minutes at 80–90°C increases crystallinity and improves HDT
These notes are critical for achieving the listed properties. A material printed outside these parameters may show significantly reduced strength and stability.
SDS and Chemical Resistance
The SDS expands on chemical safety, storage, disposal, and handling hazards. Tables often include the material’s resistance to acids, alkalis, or oils. For example, HT-PLA lists:
Good resistance to oils and greases
Poor resistance to strong acids
Fair to poor resistance to alkalis
This helps determine suitability for environments where chemical exposure is a concern.
Using TDS and SDS Together
Use the TDS when deciding if the material’s mechanical and thermal properties fit your part’s requirements.
Use the SDS when determining how to safely use, handle, and store the filament.
By learning to interpret the technical standards reported in both documents, you can match a filament’s behavior to your application, select materials smarter, and predict how 3D-printed parts will perform in service.
Last updated
Was this helpful?