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Types of 3d printing resin


What Types of SLA Resin Are There For 3D Printing? Best Brands & Types – 3D Printerly

When it comes to resin 3D printing, there are a few types of resins you want to get familiar with. I thought there was only one type when I first started. After some time, I noticed there are more types with some cool properties.

For resin 3D printing, you can choose to use Standard Resin, Clear Resin, Tough Resin, Flexible Resin, Water-Washable Resin, and Dental Resin, each with its own set of unique properties and specific use cases. 

I’ll be describing these different types of resins and more in detail in this article, as well as some great brands to get for yourself. Keep on reading through this article for more useful information.

What Types of Resin Are There For 3D Printing?

There are many kinds of liquid resins for 3D printing and each of them boast their own unique properties and added benefits. I will go over them below in simple terms, so you can decide which one sounds more suited to your use case.

The following are the different types of resin that are commonly used for 3D printing:

  • Standard Resin
  • Clear Resin
  • Tough Resin
  • Flexible Resin
  • Water-Washable Resin
  • Dental Resin
  • Ceramic-Filled Resin

Do keep in mind that some resins can have multiple properties and types in one.

Standard Resin

Standard Resin is the most popular liquid resin used for 3D printing. One of the major reasons for its widespread use is its high quality with great details and affordable pricing.

This type of resin makes high-resolution prints and is best recommended to beginners who are just starting out with resin 3D printing.

The following are the main properties of Standard Resin:

  • Smooth surface quality
  • Highly detailed features and remarkable quality
  • Very affordable
  • Can break with little effort
  • Minimal impact resistance
  • Not suitable for functional parts
  • Comes in the largest range of colors

An example of standard resin would be Elegoo Mars Standard Resin.

There are plenty of colors you can get with standard resins such as white, gray, beige, red, blue, green, black, maroon, white, yellow, clear, and more.

Clear Resin

Clear Resin is another popular choice for those wishing to make transparent 3D prints. It’s in the same category as Standard Resin, but deserves its own category due to the unique color. Many resins come in clear colors such as clear red, clear green, clear blue, or just clear.

The following are the main properties of Clear Resin:

  • High-quality surface finish
  • Makes transparent prints
  • Water-resistant
  • The clarity may degrade with time as the model is exposed to UV rays

A good example of clear resin is Anycubic Clear 3D Printer Resin 1KG.

The really cool thing about clear resin is how you can mix your own colors into it using something like DecorRom Epoxy Resin Pigment from Amazon to make beautiful, unique colors. You can also do this successfully with white resin.

I wrote an article about Mixing Different 3D Printer Resins Together which goes over how to mix these pigment dyes to create new colors, so feel free to check that out.

Tough Resin

Tough Resin is the perfect choice when it comes down to producing strong, functional resin 3D prints that can easily handle stress and strain. It’s also called ABS-like since it resembles the mechanical properties of ABS.

This material is ideal for making mechanical parts like machine assembly components, wearable items, and other objects that need to withstand wear and tear.

The following are the main properties of Tough Resin:

  • High impact and shatter-resistance
  • Durable and sturdy
  • Best for creating sturdy functional parts
  • Not recommended for models with thin walls
  • Print removal can be a little difficult compared to Standard Resin

An example of tough resin is the eSUN Tough High Impact Resin.

Flexible Resin

Flexible Resin is a unique material that boasts rubber-like properties. It allows users to create firm parts with a high degree of flexibility, although the latter does depend on the specific Shore Hardness value of the resin.

It can withstand bends and compressions easily and is perfect for making packaging materials, handles, grips, gaskets, and stamps.

The following are the main properties of Flexible Resin:

  • Very flexible
  • Great impact resistance
  • Ideal for making flexible parts
  • Can be hard to print with
  • Mostly requires a good use of support structures
  • Like Tough Resin, it’s also not recommended for models with thin walls

An example of flexible resin would be the Siraya Tech Flexible Tenacious Resin.

Water-Washable Resin

Water-Washable Resin is exactly what the name says it is. This material stands out for simple and easy post-processing with water instead of using IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) or anything similar.

Apart from its ease of use, this resin boasts a low odor and higher strength than Standard Resin. However, it’s quite brittle as well, thanks to the gradual water absorption by the part as you clean and post-process it with water.

The following are the main properties of Water-Washable Resin:

  • Effortless post-processing with water instead of alcohol or other solutions
  • Appreciable strength
  • Fast curing speeds
  • Good detail
  • Can be dyed or painted easily
  • Absorption of water in parts can generally make them crack
  • Affordable

An example of water washable resin would be the Elegoo Water Washable Ceramic Gray Resin.

 

Dental Resin

Dental Resin is a special kind of material that is specifically used for making dental appliances. It generally comprises high precision and an exceedingly smooth surface quality.

This resin has the benefit that it can be steam-sterilized using an autoclave, so it’s more suited for professional settings rather than regular consumer use.

The following are the main properties of Dental Resin:

  • High compressive strength
  • Aesthetic appearance perfect for dental use
  • Resistant to abrasion
  • Ideal for surgical and dental appliances
  • Average fracture-resistance
  • Expensive

An example of dental resin would be EPAX 3D Printer Dental Resin.

Ceramic-Filled Resin

Ceramic-Filled Resins are a sizable step up from Tough Resins. As the name depicts, this material is usually reinforced with ceramic materials resulting in extremely stiff, and smooth parts.

This type of resin also has great heat resistance and remarkable thermal stability, so you can make highly functional parts that can easily tolerate multiple rough conditions.

The following are the main properties of Ceramic-Filled Resin:

  • Very tough and stiff
  • Excellent for making fine-featured parts
  • Highly resistant to heat
  • Ideal for molds, jewelry, automotive applications, pipes, and manifolds
  • Below-average impact strength
  • Brittle

An example of a ceramic-filled resin would be iFUN Ceramics Resin.

Best Types & Brands of Resin to Buy

Different manufacturers are out there trying to create the best resins for SLA 3D printers, but only a few of them have really achieved that “best” status.

Before we pick the top brands, here are some popular brands that you’ll find when searching for 3D printer resin.

  • Anycubic
  • Elegoo
  • Siraya Tech
  • eSUN
  • Phrozen
  • Formlabs
  • SUNLU
  • Nova3D

Let’s now look into the best brands that create high-quality 3D printer resin.

Anycubic

Anycubic is one of the pioneers of resin-based 3D printing. The company is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, and has over 200 employees hard at work for it.

It was founded in 2015 by a group of friends who were hell-bent on bringing a change in the world of 3D printing. Fast-forward to 2021, Anycubic is a leading 3D printer manufacturer.

This company has come out with some of the best liquid resins ever that are both affordable and produce top-quality prints. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

  • Anycubic 3D Printer Standard Resin (Amazon) – A highly balanced resin that lets you create highly detailed prints with vividly apparent features. Parts made with this resin are quite durable and have a low odor as well. The Standard Resin has a 4.7/5.0 overall rating on Amazon where people have constantly praised the material for its extensive shelf life of 12 months and overall quality.

  • Anycubic Craftsman Resin (Anycubic) – A premium-grade high-precision resin that makes models with extremely fine details. This resin is also suited for jewelry items and accessories for its high quality. On Amazon, the material has a 4.5/5.0 overall rating where customers regard the Craftsman Resin to produce ultra-fine details in their prints with little tendency to shrink.

  • Anycubic Eco Resin (Amazon) – An environment-friendly resin that’s based on soybean oil. This material boasts the lowest odor out of any other resin and has fast curing times as well. The Anycubic Eco Resin has got a 4.7/5.0 overall rating on Amazon with people regarding it as pleasant to work with. Resin smell can become a huge problem for some, but this material makes sure to provide an eco-friendly printing experience.

Elegoo

Elegoo is another very reliable and trustworthy 3D printer brand that is known for its extensive array of high-performance SLA 3D printers. The company also makes high-quality liquid resins for its consumer base.

Like Anycubic, the company also originated in 2015 in Shenzhen, China, and has since earned quite the name for itself in the 3D printing industry.

If there’s one aspect where Elegoo beats Anycubic, it’s the quality of the customer support service.

Elegoo is famous for having the most skilled and cooperative customer support centers that prioritize customer satisfaction above everything else, even if that means going the extra mile.

That said, we are now going to take a look at some of the best Elegoo resins that you can buy and start creating top-of-the-line prints with right away.

  • Elegoo ABS-Like Tough Resin (Amazon) – A fantastic choice of resin for making durable models. This material borrows the properties of the famous ABS filament so it’s quite tough and is also easy to clean up with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). On Amazon, the Elegoo ABS-Like Resin is well-received with a 4.7/5.0 overall rating. It’s high tenacity and low brittleness makes it a favorite among people who require functional 3D prints.

  • Elegoo Water-Washable Resin (Amazon) – A premium resin that can be rinsed with water for post-processing. This popular material is also known for making attractive and durable prints. The Water-Washable Resin has a 4.7/5.0 overall rating, mostly because of its exceptional ease of use, and a far less irritating odor than other resins.

Siraya Tech

Siraya Tech is another reputed brand that’s known for making top-of-the-line liquid resins for a wide variety of SLA 3D printers, such as the Anycubic Photon series, the Elegoo Mars series, and even the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K.

People from all over the world have tried out Siraya Tech resins and they’ve fallen in love with their quality, effectiveness, and affordability.

Let’s take a look at some of the best resins offered by this brand below.

  • Siraya Tech Tenacious Resin (Flexible Resin) (Amazon) – A high-end resin that boasts high flexibility and toughness for making strong functional parts. People mostly pick this resin up for mechanical prints like bumpers and outer casings. It’s a top-rated product on Amazon with a 4.7/5.0 overall rating.

  • Siraya Tech Sculpt (Amazon) – A high-temperature resin with great resolution and surface finish that’s ideal for injection molds. Being an engineering-grade resin that captures details very well, it’s quite affordable, as many people pointed out. On Amazon, it enjoys a terrific 4.8/5.0 overall rating. The resin can hold a temperature of 180°C and doesn’t deform up until that value.

Can Any 3D Printer Print with Resin?

No, not all 3D printers can print with resin since it requires a UV light to cure the photopolymer resin to harden it to a plastic. SLA, MSLA & DLP 3D printers all have a light source that emits through a screen which helps to cure the resin in a resin vat. FDM 3D printers use thermoplastic filament to create objects.

Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA) is one of the multiple modern 3D printing techniques that use a liquid resin for 3D printing. SLA branches out to other similar methodologies of 3D printing, like DLP and MSLA, but the base ideology remains the same,

What basically happens is that the resin gets curated by UV light and therefore hardens to adopt a solid form. Only SLA 3D printers are equipped with UV lights and other components required to print with resin.

On the other end of the 3D printer spectrum, we have the technology of Fused Deposition Modeling, which, as mentioned earlier, uses a filament like PLA, ABS, TPU to 3D print.

It does not consist of the parts necessary for printing with resin, such as a powerful UV light source, a resin vat, and a tank where the resin accumulates.

You can read all about FDM and SLA 3D printers, including their major differences in my Resin vs Filament 3D Printers comparison article.

If you’re further interested, it’d be wise to check out the 7 cheapest and best SLA 3D printers that you can easily purchase today.

How Expensive is Resin for 3D Printing?

The cheapest resin for 3D printing costs around $30-$35 per KG like Elegoo Standard Resin, while more expensive resins can go for around $100 like the Monocure 3D Rapid Flex. The more expensive resins like dental or engineering resins can be $300 per KG from brands like Formlabs and Uniz.

3D printer manufacturers have kept pace with the changing economy of the world and therefore strive to produce high-quality products and make them affordable too.

For instance, Elegoo is one of the best 3D printer manufacturers—as described earlier—and has a number of top-notch resins that can be bought under a budget.

The Elegoo Standard Photopolymer Resin 1 Liter on Amazon is priced around $35. You might think that this price will get you a low-quality resin, but that isn’t the case anymore.

You can get high-quality resins at this price, and the Elegoo Standard is one of them. In addition to the pricing, one bottle of resin can last you for around one week to one month, depending on the usage.

For example, if you’re into miniatures and figures, a 500ml bottle of resin will keep you sorted for roughly 2 weeks, so you’re looking at a monthly expense of $70-$90, depending on the type of resin you buy.

If you want a more detailed analysis of 3D printing costs, I highly suggest reading the “Is 3D Printing Expensive or Affordable?” guide.

Is Filament Printing Cheaper Than Resin?

Yes, filament printing is cheaper than resin simply because FDM 3D printers are generally less expensive than SLA machines, and that filament can be bought cheaper than resin. There are additional costs with resin 3D printing too that you have to consider, such as purchasing protective gear and curing machines.  

SLA 3D printers usually cost more because the quality of prints they produce is on a whole new level as compared to FDM 3D printing. As discussed in the previous section, a 1-liter bottle of standard resin costs about $35.

This is more than the cost of a 1kg filament spool, which can be bought for as low as $20. The costs are usually lesser with FDM 3D printing as you don’t necessarily have to purchase any protective equipment.

The same cannot be said for resin 3D printing as the uncured resin is quite dangerous when handled with bare hands, so you need Nitrile gloves and a respirator for safe breathing.

I wrote an article about the 23 Best & Useful Accessories for a Resin 3D Printer so you can see what kind of items are involved with resin printing.

SLA 3D printing is taken up by those who require extreme details in their parts, but the trade-off here is with cost and post-processing effort.

What Kind of Resin Is Used in Resin 3D Printing?

The kind of resin used in 3D printing is called photopolymer resin, which is a liquid that turns into plastic through a chemical reaction with UV light. Some people confuse epoxy resin with 3D printing resin, but that is a fundamentally different type of material. Gray photopolymer resin is the most popular color.

As described above, there are different types of resins such as Tough Resin, Water-Washable Resin, and Flexible Resin.

That said, many people often wonder what 3D printing resin is made of. The answer to this is that resins are actually a photosensitive combination of oligomers and monomers, both of which are multiple units of carbon molecules bonded together.

This is just the basic chemistry of 3D printer resin. The specific material properties vary from resin to resin, as some are modified to achieve specific results.

For instance, the water-washable resin is made in such a way that it can be easily post-processed with water. The same cannot be said about parts made with other types of resin, such as Ceramic-Filled or Tough Resin.

Types and applications of resins for 3D printers

3D resin printing has evolved in the same way as 3D FDM printing, until it is available to all types of users. This new movement through the use of 3D resin printers has led to the development of a wide range of resins, with very varied properties and applications.

In this article we will try to explain and clarify the types and applications of the existing resins for 3D resin printer (SLA, DLP, LED/LCD, LFS and etc).

Types of Resins

Most users are knowledgeable about the types of materials within the FDM technology, but when they start in 3D resin printing they usually encounter the problem of lack of knowledge about the types of resins. In the same way as in FDM technology, there are two large groups of materials for resin 3D printers: standard and advanced.

Standard resins

Normally, it is called "Standard resin" a resin that is used to make parts oriented to a generic use in any 3D resin printer. Resins belonging to this category have a good surface finish and moderate mechanical properties, such as resins with properties similar to ABS (zABS), resins to make really fast prints (zUDP) or even resins that allow you to create the color that the desired user (Color Base Kit).

Image 1: Piece printed with Color Base Kit. Source: Formlabs

Advanced resins

All resins that offer ideal mechanical properties for functional applications or that show a particular quality necessary for certain technical applications belong to this category. Within this category there are three distinct groups: engineering, dental and castable.

Engineering resins are materials developed to solve the most complex engineering problems thanks to the specialization of a material for a very specific application. You can find materials such as Grey Pro Resin, which combines very good mechanical properties, high geometric precision and good surface finish. There are also flexible resins (Elastic Resin and Flexible Resin), which show a low tensile modulus and high elongation, suitable properties for printing damping elements, packaging, flexible or ergonomic parts. There are high temperature resistance resins (High Temp Resin), which with its low thermal expansion and high tensile modulus can be used to print models for environmental tests, molds and masters for foundry and thermoforming operations, much more fast, economical and even more accurate than with conventional methods. Other materials of great interest for this sector are glass fiber reinforced resins to withstand large impacts (Rigid Resin) or low friction and high elongation (Durable Resin).

Image 2: Drone manufactured with Tough Resin. Source: Formlabs

As already mentioned, advanced resin groups are specialized materials, the clearest case being that of dental resins. All these materials have a biocompatibility certificate to ensure the health of objects intended for dental use. Professionals in this field make crowns and bridges models (Dental Sand A1-A2 Resin), surgical guides (Dental SG Resin), splints and retainers (Dental LT Clear Resin) with incredible accuracy and material costs far inferior to those caused by traditional methods.

Image 3: Surgical guide. Source: Formlabs

To finish the field of advanced resins, are the castable resins. These resins are used to make metal parts through the lost wax process, especially in the field of jewelry. The castable resins in combination with 3D resin printers is the ideal set to meet the need to manufacture small, high-detail metal parts that every jeweler wants, more quickly, easily and profitably than with conventional manufacturing processes.

Image 4: Model for lost wax and metal end piece. Source: Formlabs

Applications

Apart from the clear uses of each type of resin (dental, castable, flexible, high temperature resistance and etc.), some specific resin for one application is also valid for other applications. In this case there are dental resins (Dental Model Formlabs, zDental Model Sand, Dental Resin HARZ Labs), which show high mechanical properties and a high quality surface finish, ideal for printing final functional parts.

Image 5: Functional elastic shoe sole. Source: Formlabs

Before acquiring a resin

When acquiring a resin it is necessary to take into account the type of 3D printer available to the user (SLA, DLP, LED / LCD, LFS and etc.) and the wavelength of the UV beam it generates. The most common wavelength is 405 nm but 3D printers that use 350 nm to 410 nm can be found on the market. Once these two characteristics are known, the user can already look for a resin that meets their needs, without forgetting that they need a curing center that uses the same wavelength as the 3D printer, in order to obtain the maximum mechanical properties it offers each material

Conclusion

3D resin printing is already advanced enough to cover all the needs of any user, both for printing decorative pieces, resistant parts or specialized products for some field of industry.

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Choosing a liquid photopolymer for a 3D printer. Classification of materials for SLA/DLP 3D printing.

Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. SLA Overview
  3. SLA Standard Resins
    1. Standard photopolymer resin - Standard
    2. Clear Photopolymer Resin - Clear
  4. Engineering photopolymer resins
    1. Rigid photopolymer resin - Tough (like ABS)
    2. Durable photopolymer resin - Durable (PP-like)
    3. Heat resistant photopolymer resin - Heat resistant
    4. Rubber-like photopolymer resin - Rubber-like (Elastic)
    5. Ceramic photopolymer resin - Ceramic filled (Hard)
  5. How to choose the right resin for your application
  6. Dental and medical SLA resins
    1. Medical Device Photopolymer Resin - Custom Medical Appliances (Class I Biocompatibility)
    2. Dental Long Term Biocompatible Resin (Class IIa Biocompatible)
    3. Biocompatibility class I vs biocompatibility class IIa
  7. Cast SLA resins
    1. Cast resin for jewelry making
  8. Generalized rules

Hello everyone, Friends! With you 3DTool!

This article compares photopolymer resins using Formlabs SLA 3D printing products –

Catalog of photopolymer 3D printers

Photopolymers from FormLabs

Detailed review of the Formlabs Form 3 3D printer

Introduction

The stereolithography prints plastic parts with high resolution, good fine detail and smooth surface. Due to the variety of photopolymer resins available for SLA, this technology is used in many different industries:

  • "Standard" photopolymers are used for prototyping

  • Engineering photopolymers have certain mechanical and thermal properties

  • Dental and medical photopolymers have biocompatibility certificates.

  • Cast photopolymers have a zero ash content after burning.

SLA 3D Printing Resin Overview

SLA uses a laser to cure a liquid photopolymer resin. This process is called photopolymerization. Various combinations of polymers and other additives that are part of the resin allow you to get different material properties.

The main advantages and limitations that are common to all resins in SLA 3D printing are:

Benefits:

Weaknesses:

Base Resins for SLA

Post-Processing SLA/DLP 3D Printing Article


Standard photopolymer resin - Standard

Standard resins produce parts with high stiffness, detail and a smooth surface. The low cost of resins, from $250 per liter, makes them ideal for prototypes.

The color of the resin also affects its properties. For example, in FormLabs products, gray resin is suitable for models with fine details, and white resin for parts that require the smoothest possible surface.

Benefits of using Standard grade resins:

Cons Standard:

Also included in the class of "Standard" photopolymer resins from FormLabs is the Color KIT - a set of special dyes and "Color Base" photopolymer resin for mixing and obtaining a variety of color solutions. This eliminates the need for painting parts after 3D printing.

FormLabs Engineering Photopolymer Resins

Engineering resins have a range of properties for injection molded plastics.

All engineering resins require additional UV curing, such as using the Form Cure, to achieve their maximum properties.

Tough photopolymer resin - Tough (ABS equivalent)

Tough resin was developed for models that need to withstand high loads and be durable.

This material produces strong, shatter-resistant parts and functional prototypes such as snap-on housings.

Pros:

Cons:

Ideal for: functional prototypes, mechanical parts


Durable photopolymer resin - Durable

Durable resin is a wear-resistant and flexible material with mechanical properties similar to polypropylene.

Durable photopolymer produces models with a smooth glossy surface and high resistance to deformation.

Durable Resin is ideal for:

  • Bushings and bearings;
  • Various functional compounds

Pros:

Cons:

  • Not suitable for thin wall parts (recommended minimum wall thickness 1mm)

  • Low heat distortion temperature

  • Low flexural strength (lower than hard resin)

Ideal for: functional prototypes.


Refractory Photopolymer Resin - Formlabs High Temp Resin

The heat resistant resin is ideal for parts that require high temperature resistance and operate at high temperatures.

Formlabs High Temp Resin provides the highest melting point (HDT): 238°C at 0.45 MPa.

The resin should be used to print detailed, accurate prototypes with high heat resistance.

Pros:

Cons:

Flexible Resin

Rubber-like resin allows flexible parts to be made. This material has a low tensile strength and high elongation at break and is well suited for parts that will be bent or compressed.

It can also be used to add ergonomic features to multi-material assemblies such as: dies, wearable prototypes, handles, pads and grips.

Pros:

  • High flexibility (high elongation at break)

  • Low hardness (simulates 80A durometer rubber)

  • High impact resistance

Cons:

  • Doesn't have all the properties of real rubber

  • Requires extensive support structures

  • Material properties deteriorate over time as the part is exposed to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight)

  • Not suitable for thin wall parts (recommended minimum wall thickness 1mm)

Ideal for flexible prototyping.

Ceramic photopolymer resin - Rigid Resin

This resin is reinforced with glass, which provides very high rigidity and a polished surface. The polymer is very resistant to deformation and is excellent for 3D printing thin elements.

Ideal for: molds and tooling, jigs, manifolds, retainers, electrical and automotive fixture housings

Thermal management components printed with SLA ceramic (hard) resin. Image credit: Formlabs

How to choose the right resin for your application

The table below shows the main mechanical properties of photopolymers for SLA:

Source: Formlabs

Standard resin ( standart ) has high tensile strength but is very brittle (very low elongation at break) so it is not suitable for functional parts. The ability to create a good part surface makes it ideal for visual prototypes and art models.

durable ( durable ) resin has the highest impact strength and elongation at break of any other SLA material. Best suited for prototyping parts with moving parts and latches. It lacks, however, the strength of thermoplastic 3D printing materials such as SLA nylon.

tough tough resin is a compromise between the material properties of tough and standard resin. It has a high tensile strength, so it is best suited for rigid parts that require high hardness.

heat resistant resin ( heat resistant ) can withstand temperatures above 200 o C, but has poor impact strength and is even more brittle than standard resin.

ceramic ( ceramic reinforce ) resin has the highest tensile strength and flexural modulus, but is brittle (poor elongation at break and toughness). This resin is preferred for thin wall parts that require increased rigidity.

The graphs below compare the mechanical properties of the most common SLA materials visually:

Comparison chart for elongation at break and toughness for common SLA printing specifications and standard media. Image courtesy of Formlabs.

Stress-strain curves for conventional SLA technologies and standard materials. Image credit: Formlabs

Pros:

Cons:

  • Moderate wear and tear resistance

Ideal for: Surgical aids and appliances

Dental Long Term Biocompatible Resin - Dental Long Term (Class 2A biocompatible)
0114

These resins are specially formulated for long term dental fixtures. Class 2A biocompatible resins can come into contact with the human body for up to a year.

High resistance to breakage and wear make this resin ideal for making rigid cotter pins or retainers.

Pros:

Cons:

  • High price

Ideal for: durable dental instruments, fracture and wear resistant medical parts, rigid cotter pins, retainers

What is the difference between class 1 and class 2a biocompatibility?

Class 1 biocompatibility rules apply to materials that are allowed to be used for:

  • non-invasive devices that come into contact with intact skin

  • devices for temporary use or short-term use in the mouth or ear canal or in the nasal cavity

  • reusable surgical instruments

Class 2a biocompatibility rules apply to materials that are allowed to be used for:

  • devices that come into contact with bodily fluids or open wounds

  • devices used to introduce substances into or remove substances from the human body

  • invasive short-term devices such as invasive surgical items

  • long-term implantable devices placed in the teeth

Photopolymer resins in SLA 3D printing for jewelers


Jewelry resins

This material allows you to print models with fine details and a smooth surface without leaving ash or residue after burning.

Cast resin allows you to get the finished product directly from design to precision casting with just one 3D printed part. It is suitable for making jewelry and other small and complex components.

Pros:

Cons:

Ideal for: investment casting, jewelry making

    SLA/DLP 3D printer catalog

    Photopolymers from FormLabs

    Post-Processing SLA/DLP 3D Printing Article

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    Types of resins for photopolymer 3D printer, characteristics, application

    In recent years, the introduction of photopolymer printers in various areas of production is gaining more and more popularity. In order for the printer to reach its full potential, it is necessary to choose the right material - photopolymer resin.

    Now there is a wide variety of resins designed to solve a wide range of problems. Sometimes it can be difficult not to get confused in such a variety of materials. It is conditionally possible to divide photopolymer resins into several types - standard, engineering, dental, jewelry (burned).

    Standard resins

    Standard resins are well suited for making decorative models. They are strong and hard enough for making miniatures, master models, paintable figures or mock-ups, but their strength is usually not strong enough for functional products.

    But standard resins are different from each other. Some of them can be washed not with alcohol, but with plain water, there are transparent types of resins or, for example, with a wide color palette.

    Standard

    Compared to other types of photopolymers, standard resins have a richer color palette. The main advantages are an inexpensive price, good detail and fast curing time.

    ESUN Standard

    A good resin for professionals and beginners who are just getting acquainted with photopolymer printing. The advantages of ESUN Standard are a large palette of colors, no smell and fast printing speed.

    ESUN Standard is suitable for printing decorative models or any other product that will not be subjected to heavy physical exertion.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 395-405nm (transparent 395-410nm)

    Shore hardness: 80-82 D

    Impact strength according to Izod: 18 - 40 J/m

    Bending strength: 46-72 Mpa

    Modulus of elasticity: 1000 - 1400 MPa

    Elongation at break: 28-35%

    Exposure time per layer (recommended): 5-10 sec.

    Color palette: white, black, gray, red, blue, yellow, green, light green, flesh, orange, transparent.

    Volume: 0. 5 kg, 1 liter.


    Deadpool figurine


    Bust of a military man


    Moving castle, miniature

    Users note good detailing, a good balance of strength and light elasticity, and excellent adhesion to the platform. The print time of the layer corresponds to the one declared by the manufacturer (5-10s) even on 3D printers with a weak UV source.

    Of the minuses - sometimes the resin can be difficult to stir and a fine suspension comes across. This does not reduce print quality, but it does make me nervous. The gray color is slightly transparent, many users would like the color to be more “dense”.

    ESUN eResin-PLA

    eResin-PLA is based on PLA monomer, familiar to many from FDM printing. This makes the resin environmentally friendly and the finished product very tough and scratch resistant.

    Resin is well suited for decorative items, master models or functional models without load.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 395-405nm

    Shore hardness: 75-80 D

    Elongation at break: 20-50%

    Modulus of elasticity: 600 - 800 MPa

    Impact strength according to Izod: 15 - 32 J/m

    Tensile strength: 35-50 Mpa

    Exposure time per layer (recommended): 15-20 sec.

    Color palette: white, black, gray, red, blue, yellow, green, light green, flesh, orange, transparent.

    Volume: 1 liter

    Shoe model


    Figurine cartoon girl


    Play miniature


    Non-standard focusing rings for lens

    Phrozen Aqua 4K

    The Phrozen Aqua 4K is specifically designed to unlock the full potential of 4K photopolymer printers. A pleasant bonus is the almost complete absence of shrinkage.

    Resin is well suited for precision printing of decorative models. The manufacturer specifies that all properties of the resin are revealed when using printers with high resolution, such as Sonic Mini 4K / Sonic Mighty 4K.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 395-405nm

    Shore hardness: 77 D

    Color palette: gray, ivory.

    Volume: 1 kg


    Armor printed in gray resin Phrozen Aqua 4K


    Bust Predator


    Figurine war with a bear, to demonstrate the capabilities of Phrozen Aqua 4K

    Phrozen Beige Low Irritation

    This resin is hypoallergenic. Phrozen Beige Low-Irritation has passed the ISO-10993 10 test, which means that the resin does not contain heavy metals and the finished models can directly contact the human body.

    The resin can be used in dentistry or for products that will come into contact with the skin.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 395-405nm

    Color palette: beige

    Volume: 0. 5 kg


    Decorative figurine


    Jaw

    ESUN Precession Model

    Resin is designed for fast printing of high-precision models. In addition, finished products are tough and can withstand heat up to 80 degrees.

    ESUN Precession Model is a good choice for models that need high detail.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 85 D

    Elongation at break: 12.1%

    Bending strength: 77 Mpa

    Tensile strength: 335-410 Mpa

    Color palette: red.

    Volume: 1 liter


    DC Universe Riddler Head


    Miniature model of ICE

    Clear resins

    Clear resins are present in other photopolymer ranges, but may become yellow or cloudy over time. If optical transparency without yellowness is important in the finished model, then you should pay attention to special polymers.

    Phrozen SC-801 Clear

    The main advantage of Phrozen SC-801 Clear is its optical transparency. Models made from Phrozen SC-801 Clear do not become cloudy or yellow during post-curing and during use.

    This photopolymer is suitable for the manufacture of durable and accurate models for which optical transparency is important.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 70 D

    Color palette: transparent

    Volume: 1 liter


    Material transparency model


    Left product made of Phrozen SC-801 Clear, right RESINMAGIC3D High-Grade Clear

    Figure printed with Phrozen SC-801 Clear


    Miniature bottles printed for a articulated doll. Left made from Phrozen SC-801 Clear, right made from another polymer.

    Washable

    Finished models made on a photopolymer printer are recommended to be washed from photopolymer residues with alcohol. There are situations where this is not acceptable, such as when the printer is being used in schools. For such cases, manufacturers have created the Washable line. Washable are resins that can be washed with plain water.

    ESUN Water Washable

    ESUN Water Washable is as strong and precise as ESUN Standard resins. The only difference is that the finished product can be washed not with alcohol, but with plain water.

    ESUN Water Washable is well suited for printing at home or in educational institutions due to its low toxicity and odorlessness.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 395-410 nm

    Shore hardness: 76 D

    Tensile strength: 68 MPa

    Elongation at break: 5-10%

    Bending strength: 45-70 MPa

    Modulus of elasticity in bending: 900-1400 MPa

    Izod impact strength: 18-39 J/m

    Color palette: white, transparent, flesh, gray, black.

    Volume: 0. 5 kg


    Rings and pendant printed in clear ESUN Water Washable


    Fox figurine

    Phrozen Water Washable

    Phrozen Water Washable compares favorably with other water-washable resins in terms of strength, durability, and short flash-over time.

    The resin is suitable for making prototypes and other models at home and in educational institutions where it is undesirable to use strong-smelling alcohols for washing.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 80 D

    Color palette: gray, black.

    Volume: 1 kg


    Bust made from Phrozen Water Washable

    Alien printed from Phrozen Water Washable


    Bust of Spiderman

    Wanhao Water washable

    It is a resin with high resolution and good hardness. Wanhao Water washable has very little shrinkage and a wide range of colors.

    The resin is well suited for printing master models and decorative models when it is not possible to use alcohol to wash the final product.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 395~420nm

    Shore hardness: 75D

    Color palette: white, transparent, black, gray

    Volume: 0.5 kg, 1 kg


    Han Solo in transparent Wanhao Water washable


    Test model of transparent Wanhao Water washable


    Test patterns in different colors Wanhao Water washable

    Engineering

    Previously, photopolymer printers were mainly used for making master models and products with high accuracy. Now they face a wider range of tasks. It is much more convenient to make a ready-made, functional model right away. For this, engineering photopolymer resins with improved characteristics have been developed. Depending on the application required, they can be harder, heat resistant and durable than standard resins.

    Reinforced

    These are polymers with improved characteristics - for example, high heat resistance or impact strength. They can be used to produce functional prototypes, engineering models, etc.

    Phrozen TR250-LV

    The Phrozen TR250-LV has been specifically designed to meet engineering challenges. In addition to high strength and hardness, the resin has increased heat resistance and can withstand heating up to 150 degrees.

    The Phrozen TR250-LV is suitable for the production of models for subsequent thermoforming or products that require increased heat resistance.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 79D

    Tensile strength 25 MPa

    Izod impact strength: 6.31 kJ/m2

    Color palette: gray

    Volume: 1 kg


    Jaw Layout

    Orc Bust

    Phrozen ABS-like

    This resin is similar in characteristics to ABS plastic, familiar to many from FDM printing. There is a white color in the palette, this allows, if necessary, to easily paint the finished product.

    Phrozen ABS-like is suitable for printing functional models and prototypes.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 79D

    Izod Impact Strength: 2.32 kJ/m2

    Color palette: gray, white

    Volume: 1 kg


    Skull Model


    Weapons for miniature figures


    1/4 mask

    Phrozen Rock-Black Stiff

    When creating Rock-Black Stiff, emphasis was placed on strength, wear resistance and heat resistance (up to 97 degrees). Models are strong and slightly flexible to withstand shock loads.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 81D

    Elongation at break: 4%

    Izod impact strength: 2. 68 kJ/m2

    Color palette: black

    Volume: 1 kg


    Elf bust


    Bust printed in Phrozen Rock-Black Stiff

    Phrozen Nylon Green Tough

    Photopolymer is an analogue of nylon. Nylon is a very strong and wear-resistant material, familiar to many from FDM printing. Products are very durable and resistant to stress. Finished models printed in Nylon Green Tough can be folded.

    Suitable for the manufacture of finished products or functional prototypes.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 68D

    Elongation at break: 130%

    Tensile strength: 19MPa

    Izod impact strength: 23.79 kJ/m2

    Color palette: green

    Volume: 1 kg


    Phrozen Nylon Green Tough Vase


    Test model

    Spectacle frame

    Phrozen TR300 Ultra-High Temp

    TR300 Ultra-High Temp allows you to quickly produce durable, shock and heat resistant products (up to 160 degrees). The photopolymer compares favorably with its competitors with a short exposure time (on 3D printers of the Phrozen Sonic series, 1.3 seconds per layer).

    Phrozen TR300 is suitable for the manufacture of heat-resistant and durable products. For example, it can be a model for subsequent thermoforming or manufacturing an industrial layout.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 80D

    Tensile strength: 32MPa

    Izod impact strength: 8 kJ/m2

    Elongation at break: 2%

    Color palette: gray

    Volume: 1 kg

    Phrozen Onyx Rigid Pro410

    The main properties of models made from Onyx Rigid Pro410 are amazing detailing and durability. The resin was developed in partnership with Henkel and is intended primarily for home workshops.

    The photopolymer is perfect for models with an abundance of small details that need high detail. Or for engineering/functional models where high accuracy and strength are important.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Color Palette: Black

    Volume: 1 kg


    Tablet stand


    Fruit vase


    Wall mounted spice holder


    Wall hanger

    Flexible

    Products made from such resins will look like silicone or rubber. Such photopolymers make it possible to obtain flexible and durable functional products resistant to tearing.

    Phrozen Biege Flex

    This is a resin designed for products that need to be strong and slightly flexible. Phrozen Biege Flex is suitable for functional models that need some flexibility.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 65D

    Tensile strength: 40 MPa

    Modulus of elasticity: 192 MPa

    Color palette: beige

    Volume: 0. 5 kg


    Bust of Harley Quinn


    Miniature from Phrozen Biege Flex


    Functional carabiner

    HARZ Labs Industrial Flex

    By its properties, finished products from HARZ Labs Industrial Flex resemble polyurethane. Products from it are elastic and very durable.

    HARZ Labs Industrial Flex is suitable for making gaskets or any other pattern where softness and tensile strength are important.

    Industrial Flex can be used as an additive for other HARZ Labs resins. This allows you to increase the flexibility and strength of the finished model. Depending on the resin ratio, different degrees of flexibility can be achieved in the finished product.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 63D

    Shrinkage: 0.5%

    Elongation at break: 103%

    Tensile strength: 13 N/mm2

    Color palette: transparent

    Volume: 0. 5kg 1kg


    Various gaskets printed from HARZ Labs Industrial Flex

    ESUN Flex

    Flexible and durable material with good wear resistance. Good tear resistance and accuracy make ESUN Flex suitable for engineering models.

    For example, products that must be strong and flexible at the same time. These can be engineering prototypes or functional models.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 85-90 A

    Shrinkage: 6.9%

    Elongation at break: 100-150%

    Bending strength: 77 Mpa

    Tensile strength: 390-320 kN-m

    Color palette: transparent yellow

    Volume: 0.5 kg


    Test model from ESUN Flex

    Dental resins

    From the very beginning of its existence, photopolymer printers have taken the place of indispensable assistants in the dental industry, therefore, in the assortment of many companies that manufacture photopolymer resins, there are materials intended for use by dentists.

    Special photopolymers

    These are special polymers that are focused on solving specific problems. No one forbids using them for other than their intended purpose, but they fully reveal their potential precisely in the task for which they were created.

    Harz Labs Dental Soft

    Dental Soft was created as a material to simulate gums in demonstration models. The finished print is pink in color and has high strength and chemical resistance. Despite its flexibility, the finished model will be resistant to deformation. Harz Labs Dental Soft is certified for medical use.

    The material is suitable for gum printing or other medical applications.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 87-90D

    Shrinkage: <0.5%

    Elongation at break: 68%

    Tensile strength: 1.2 N/mm2

    Color palette: pink

    Volume: 0.5 kg, 1 kg


    Gums from Harz Labs Dental Soft


    Gums from Harz Labs Dental Soft

    NextDent Gingiva Mask

    Another gum simulation resin from NextDent. Gingiva Mask is a flexible and durable resin that blends beautifully with model material.

    The resin is suitable for various models in the dental industry.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 60 - 75 A

    Elongation at break: 40 - 60%

    Color palette: pink

    Volume: 1 kg


    Gingiva made from NextDent Gingiva Mask


    Part of the gum made from NextDent Gingiva Mask


    Jaw Demo with NextDent Gingiva Mask Inserts


    Harz Labs Dental Clear

    Products from this resin are durable and hard. The main feature is the resin is transparent, without turbidity and yellowness. Harz Labs Dental Clear is certified for medical use.

    This photopolymer is suitable for the manufacture of surgical templates, demonstration models and even aligners.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 90-92D

    Elongation at break: 4-6%

    Shrinkage: less than 0.5%

    Color palette: transparent

    Volume: 0.5 kg, 1 kg

    Jaw Demo Model


    Piece of jaw printed from Harz Labs Dental Clear

    Dental Yellow Clear

    Very similar in its properties to Harz Labs Dental Clear - just as strong and hard. The only difference is that the color of the resin is not crystal clear, but yellow. The resin is certified for use in medicine.

    Dental Yellow Clear is suitable for making aligners or demonstration models.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 90-92D

    Elongation at break: 4-6%

    Shrinkage: less than 0.5%

    Color palette: transparent yellow

    Volume: 0. 5 kg, 1 kg


    Gingiva pad made of Dental Yellow Clear


    Jaw models


    Dental Yellow Clear Demonstration Product


    Burnout

    In addition to specialized resins, dentistry needs low-ash burnable or smelted materials for direct casting.

    Before casting, be sure to read the instructions from the manufacturer. Each resin has its own burnout cycle in order to obtain a good casting quality.

    ESUN Castable Dental

    ESUN Castable is designed for direct casting in dentistry. Finished products are smooth and hard. When burning, the ash content is practically absent.

    High precision allows ESUN Castable to be used for crowns, bridges and other castings.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 80D

    Elongation at break: 11-20%

    Bending strength: 49-58 Mpa

    Impact strength according to Izod: 44 - 49 J/m

    Color palette: green

    Volume: 1 kg

    Crowns printed from ES

    ESUN Castable jaw


    Example of printed and molded model

    Phrozen Wax-like Dental Green

    Wax-like Dental Green is a waxy resin with low shrinkage and zero ash content. Due to the low shrinkage, the finished products are very accurate, and the matte surface will help to see even small imperfections.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Color palette: green

    Volume: 0.5 kg


    Ring made from Phrozen Wax-like Dental Green

    HARZ Labs Dental Cast Cherry

    HARZ Labs Dental Cast Cherry was developed for direct casting of dental products. With the correct burnout cycle, it is possible to achieve almost zero ash content. The photopolymer is certified for medical use.

    Dental Cast Cherry is suitable for casting metal or ceramic crowns and bridges.

    The manufacturer recommends the use of phosphate-based phytomass, because they can be used at high temperatures, which are required for high-quality burning of the model.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 40-50D

    Shrinkage: less than 1%

    Color palette: red

    Volume: 1 kg


    Crown models printed with Dental Cast Cherry


    Cast crowns


    NextDent Cast

    It is an easy-to-burn-out resin with zero ash content. Designed for the manufacture of burn-out dental models.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Shore hardness: 80-90D:

    Color palette: red

    Volume: 1 kg


    Crowns made from NextDent Cast


    Demo model

    DETAX Freeprint cast UV

    High precision resin designed for fast manufacturing of dental products. Finished products can be used for direct casting. DETAX Freeprint cast UV burns out ashless even with large casting volumes. For molding, it is recommended to use phosphate-based masses.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 378-388 nm

    Color palette: red

    Volume: 1 kg


    Overlay made of DETAX Freeprint cast UV


    Crowns made from DETAX Freeprint cast UV

    Burnout resins

    In addition to dentistry, 3D printers have firmly established themselves in the jewelry industry. 3D printing allows you to create complex products much faster than classical methods (manual wax cutting, CNC machine). Burnt-out resins were created especially for jewelers.

    ESUN Castable for jewelers

    Photopolymer specially designed for printing and casting small models with high detail. Products from ESUN Castable are smooth, and almost zero ash content makes it easy to get the desired product in the metal.

    The resin is suitable for printing jewelry - rings, pendants, earrings and for other burn-out models, in which accuracy and perfect surface quality are important.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 395-405nm

    Shore hardness: 60 D

    Color palette: yellow, green

    Volume: 1 kg


    Ring printed from ESUN Castable


    Ring from ESUN Castable

    Phrozen Wax-like Castable Violet

    Waxy polymer with low shrinkage and zero ash content. Products made from Phrozen Wax-like Castable Violet have a nice matte surface, which will show the slightest imperfections.

    Wax-like Castable is suitable for making any castable models.


    Print Technology: DLP/LCD/LED

    UV wavelength: 405 nm

    Color palette: purple

    Volume: 0.5 kg


    Ring printed in Wax-like Castable and finished casting


    Wax-like Castable Openwork Rings and Precast Castings


    Wax-like Castable pendant and finished product

    HARZ Labs Jewelry J-Cast

    This is a photopolymer designed for the manufacture of burn-out models for subsequent casting in metal. High precision, low shrinkage (less than 1%) and low ash content (less than 0.1%) make it possible to print even very small products without distortion.

    HARZ Labs Jewelry J-Cast is suitable for printing jewelry. Due to its high thermoplasticity, the photopolymer can be burned out over a wide temperature range.

    Learn more