3D Printing Material Selection for Marine Use

Selecting the right 3D printing material for marine use goes beyond strength alone. Boats present a unique combination of challenges including UV exposure, constant moisture, vibration, heat, and interaction with metals and electrical systems.

At Sea & Land Yacht Works, we evaluate each part based on where it will be installed and how it will be used.

Key Factors We Consider:

Environmental Exposure: Parts exposed to sunlight, saltwater, and weather require UV-stable and moisture-resistant materials like ASA, PPS, or glass-reinforced polymers.

Mechanical Load: Structural components must handle continuous loads and vibration. Materials like PPA, polycarbonate, and reinforced filaments are selected for these applications.

Heat & Chemical Resistance: Engine rooms and mechanical spaces demand materials that can withstand elevated temperatures and exposure to fuel, oil, and cleaning agents. PPS and PPA are commonly used in these environments.

Flexibility vs Rigidity: Some applications require rigidity for strength, while others benefit from flexibility for vibration isolation or sealing. TPU is often used where controlled flexibility is needed.

Interaction with Metals & Electrical Systems: Material choice becomes critical around underwater metals and electrical systems.Carbon fiber reinforced materials are electrically conductive and can contribute to galvanic corrosion if not properly isolated from metals like bronze or stainless. In these areas, glass-reinforced materials are often the safer choice.

Our Approach

We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Each part is designed with:

• The right material for the environment

• Optimized internal structure for strength and weight

• Strategic reinforcement in high-load areas

This ensures parts are not only strong, but also durable, efficient, and appropriate for long-term marine use.

Material Selection for Marine Use

Not all 3D printing materials are created equal, especially in a marine environment. We group materials into three main categories based on performance, cost, and application:

• General Use (Cost-Effective & Versatile)

• Flexible Materials

• High-Performance Engineering Materials

Each category serves a different purpose depending on where the part is used on the boat.

General Use Materials (ASA vs PETG)

Property	ASA	PETG
UV Resistance	Excellent	Good
Water Absorption	Very Low	Low
Strength	Medium-High	Medium
Cost	$$	$
Print Difficulty	Medium	Low
Strengths	UV stable, great for exterior use	Cost-effective, durable, impact resistant
Weaknesses	Less structural strength vs engineering plastics	Can soften under heat/load
Common Uses	Exterior parts, dash panels, housings	Interior/exterior brackets, covers

Flexible Materials (TPU Variants)

Property	Soft TPU (85A–90A)	Medium TPU (90A–95A)	Hard TPU (95A–98A)
UV Resistance	Good	Good	Good
Water Absorption	Low	Low	Low
Strength	Low (very flexible)	Medium	Medium-High (semi-rigid)
Cost	$$	$$	$$
Print Difficulty	Medium	Medium	Medium
Strengths	Highly flexible, great sealing	Balanced flexibility	Holds shape with some give
Weaknesses	Not structural	Limited rigidity	Still not fully rigid
Common Uses	Gaskets, seals	Vibration mounts	Protective parts, bumpers

High-Performance Materials Comparison

Property	PPS	PPA	PA6 (Nylon 6)	PA12 (Nylon 12)	Polycarbonate (PC)	Carbon Fiber Reinforced	Glass Fiber Reinforced
UV Resistance	Excellent	Good	Moderate	Good	Moderate	Good	Excellent
Water Absorption	Very Low	Low	High	Low	Low	Low	Very Low
Strength	Very High	Very High	High	High	Very High	Very High (stiff)	Very High
Cost	$$$$	$$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$$	$$$
Print Difficulty	High	High	Medium-High	Medium	High	High	High
Strengths	Chemical & heat resistant	Structural strength	Tough, wear-resistant	Stable, low moisture	Impact resistant	Lightweight & stiff	Strong + non-conductive
Weaknesses	Cost, overkill for simple parts	Cost	Absorbs moisture	Slightly less strong than PA6	UV sensitivity	Conductive (galvanic risk)	Slightly heavier than carbon
Common Uses	Engine room, harsh env.	Structural mounts	Wear parts	Precision parts	Impact guards	Lightweight panels	Structural near metals

Key Takeaways

• ASA vs PETG: ASA for outdoor durability, PETG for cost-effective general use

• TPU: Choose based on how soft or firm you need the part to be

• Engineering Materials: Used when strength, heat resistance, or long-term durability is critical

• Carbon vs Glass Reinforced:

  Carbon = lighter and stiffer

  Glass = safer near metals (no galvanic concerns)

  
  

How We Help You Choose

Most customers don’t need to know all of this, that’s where we come in.

We look at:

• Where the part is installed

• What loads it sees

• Environmental exposure

• Budget vs performance

Then we select the right material and build strategy to match.

Strength vs. Infill: What It Means for Your Part

When it comes to 3D printed parts, strength isn’t just about the material you choose, it’s also about how the part is built internally.

Unlike traditional manufacturing, 3D printed parts are not always solid. Instead, they are engineered with an internal structure called infill, which allows us to balance strength, weight, and cost.

A key point many people don’t realize is that strength does not increase linearly with infill. Doubling the amount of material inside a part does not double its strength. In most cases, a significant portion of a part’s strength comes from its outer walls and overall design, not just how solid it is inside.

This allows us to engineer parts more efficiently by:

• Increasing strength where it matters

• Reducing unnecessary weight

• Controlling material cost, especially with high-performance filaments

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By combining the right material with the right internal structure, we can create parts that are optimized specifically for their application in the marine environment.

Infill %	Relative Strength*	Typical Use
10%	~30–40%	Very light duty, cosmetic panels
15%	~40–50%	Covers, low-load components
20%	~55–65%	General-purpose brackets, housings
25%	~65–72%	Moderate-load parts
35%	~75–85%	Functional components, mounts
50%	~85–92%	High-load parts with weight sensitivity
75%	~92–97%	Heavy-duty components
100%	100%	Maximum strength, critical load-bearing parts

*Relative strength values are approximate and depend on material, geometry, and print orientation.

Designing the Right Part for Your Application

Choosing the right material is only part of the equation. The real performance of a 3D printed component comes from how it’s designed.

At Sea & Land Yacht Works, we don’t just print parts, we engineer them for the marine environment.

Our Process

We start by understanding how the part will be used:

• Where it’s installed on the boat

• What loads and stresses it will see

• Exposure to heat, UV, moisture, and chemicals

• Interaction with surrounding systems (electrical, mechanical, or structural)

  
  

From there, we handle the full process:

Material Selection: We choose the right material based on performance requirements, not just cost. Whether that’s ASA for UV exposure, TPU for flexibility, or PPS/PPA for high-performance applications, every material is selected intentionally.

Design & Engineering: We design the part to meet those requirements, not just replicate an existing piece. This includes:

• Reinforcing high-load areas

• Reducing material where it isn’t needed

• Optimizing geometry for strength and durability

• Designing for proper fit and installation

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Optimized Print StrategyWe control how the part is built:

• Adjusting infill strategically (including reinforcing specific areas)

• Increasing wall thickness where strength matters most

• Balancing strength, weight, and cost

  
  

Built for the Real World

Marine environments are demanding, and off-the-shelf parts don’t always hold up or fit correctly.

By combining material selection, engineering design, and controlled manufacturing, we create components that are:

• Purpose-built for your boat

• Durable in real-world conditions

• Efficient in both weight and cost

  
  

If you have a part that needs to be replaced, improved, or built from scratch, we can take it from concept to finished component.

Reach out to discuss your project and we’ll help you design the right solution.