Uncategorized
New synthetic resins from Formlabs compete with thermoplastics
Nov
Thermoplastics are characterized by high strength, flexibility, durability, UV resistance and longevity – a combination that has made them the preferred standard materials in manufacturing for years. For a long time, synthetic resins for 3D printing could not keep up with these excellent properties. Until now.
The next generation of Formlabs’ Tough family of resins introduces a selection of new high-performance materials that for the first time reach the performance level of thermoplastics. The resins in this family of materials are each named after their tensile modulus (also known as modulus of elasticity) and offer mechanical properties equivalent to those of rigid polyethylene (HDPE), ABS and polypropylene.
Tough 1000 V1 and the newly developed Tough 2000 V2, together with Tough 1500, complete the Tough family of resins from Formlabs. These robust, hard-wearing technical resins can withstand demanding conditions, impact and repeated use and produce a dark, matt surface with clear, precise details on Form 4 series 3D printers.
| Material | Tough 1000 Resin | Tough 1500 Resin | Tough 2000 Resin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core property | The toughest and most ductile material in the Tough resin family | Balance of stiffness and flexibility | The strongest and stiffest material in the Tough resin family |
| Comparable thermoplastics | HDPE Delrin (POM) |
PP | ABS |
| Recommended applications | Impact-resistant brackets and fixtures, components and deformable prototypes Low-friction assemblies such as gears and ball joints |
Parts with a balance of stiffness and ductility for compliant mechanisms such as latches, bending elements and dampers Clamps and buckles, screw bosses for self-tapping screws, hinges |
Robust brackets and fixtures, protective housings and snap-fit housings; parts that require high heat resistance and creep resistance |
Produce fixtures, fixtures and functional parts with improved aesthetics and mechanical properties that rival thermoplastics with Formlabs Tough family resins.
Order Tough synthetic resinsTough 1000 V1: Competition for HDPE
The synthetic resin Tough 1000 V1 is a ductile, impact-resistant material. Its elongation at break of 180% and its Gardner impact strength of 13.1 J exceed that of HDPE, while a sliding ability comparable to Delrin (POM) ensures surfaces without abrasion or scratches.
Tough 1000 V1 is designed for excellent wear resistance, long-term resilience and ductility. This makes it ideal for brackets and fixtures, moving assemblies and functional parts that are subject to repeated stress and wear.
Those familiar with Formlabs’ Durable Resin will find that Tough 1000 V1 offers improved heat resistance, aging resistance and creep resistance. In addition, the printed parts better withstand warping and deflection during post-curing and therefore offer high dimensional accuracy.
| Material | Durable Resin | Tough 1000 V1 Resin | HDPE, extruded sheets, McMaster-Carr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum tensile strength | 28 MPa | 26.3 MPa | 30 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | 1000 MPa | 932 MPa | 1000 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 55 % | 180 % | 100 % |
| Gardner impact strength at 0.8 mm | 4,1 J | 13,1 J | 5,4 J |
| Fracture work | 690 J/m2 | 3200 J/m2 | Not tested. According to sources: ~5000-6000 J/m2 |
| Heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa | 41 ºC | 55.3 ºC | Not tested. According to sources: ~70-90 °C |
Create production-ready parts with Formlabs Form 4 Series printers with a smooth, matte finish and dark gray color that brings out details for aesthetically pleasing, high-performance parts.
Tough 2000 V2: Performance at the level of ABS
Formlabs’ new Tough 2000 V2 resin is a robust material with strength and stiffness comparable to ABS. Thanks to the combination of toughness and high temperature and creep resistance, it easily prints snap-fit joints that withstand repeated bending, robust components that withstand impact and structural parts.
Tough 2000 V2 has a creep elongation of just 1.3% after two weeks at a load of 4 MPa, making it ideal for parts with long-term dimensional stability. Its heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 70° C at 0.45 MPa ensures reliable performance at elevated temperatures – for functional parts that retain their shape when other plastics are already deforming.
The reformulation of Tough 2000 V2 was developed to make the best possible use of the technology of the Form 4 series 3D printers. It offers improved mechanical properties such as three times higher fracture toughness than the previous version, increased scratch resistance and a dark, matt surface finish.
| Material | Tough 2000 V1 | Tough 2000 V2 | ABS, extruded sheets, McMaster-Carr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum tensile strength | 46 MPa | 40.4 MPa | 39 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | 2100 MPa | 1800 MPa | 1800 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 44 % | 79 % | 8 % |
| Gardner impact strength at 0.8 mm | 1,1 J | 1,6 J | 2,3 J |
| Breaking energy | 115 J/m2 | 305 J/m2 | 2060 J/m2 |
| Heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa | 59 °C | 70 °C | Not tested. According to sources: 100 °C |
The newly formulated Tough 2000 V2 is similar in performance to ABS and impresses in highly demanding applications.
Print resilient parts
Whether your parts need to withstand repeated flexing, maintain their shape under sustained stress, or perform in environments where other plastics deform: Formlabs’ Tough family of resins offers several materials, at least one of which will be up to the task. Tough 1000 V1, Tough 1500 and Tough 2000 V2 are high-performance engineering resins that use Formlabs Form 4 printer series technology to deliver parts that perform where it counts.
