Above: New Tough 2000 Resin has improved strength and stiffness/Image Credit: Formlabs
Formlabs recently announced the launch of Tough 2000 Resin, a reformulation of its popular Tough Resin, as the newest addition to its library of materials catering its range of desktop Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers, including the Form 3 and Form 2.
The latest addition – Tough 2000 Resin, produces stiff and sturdy parts that are difficult to bend. This material is ideal for functional parts such as housings and enclosures, jigs and fixtures, mechanical connectors, and prototypes undergoing wear and tear.
Tough 2000 Resin is the strongest and stiffest material formulated by Formlabs from among its newly segmented family of Tough and Durable Resins.These materials, which includes Tough 2000 Resin, Tough 1500 Resin, and Durable Resin, can all handle compression, stretching, bending, and impacts without breaking, but can be clearly differentiated by comparing key properties such as modulus (the property represented by the “2000” in this material’s name).
Of all Tough and Durable materials, Tough 2000 Resin most closely simulates ABS in terms of stiffness and strength.
Tough 2000 Resin – At a Glance
Above: Sample 3D printed with Tough 2000 Resin/Image Credit: Formlabs
Formlabs team believes in innovation and bringing the best for its customers. This is reflected in its efforts at developing new materials that consistently push the limits of 3D printing and expand what is possible to create with 3D printing.
The new Tough 2000 Resin has improved mechanical properties and a new look compared to Tough Resin, the previous versions of this material, including:
- Reduced brittle failures: Increased elongation by more than 100%.
- Improved strength and stiffness: Increased flexural strength and flexural modulus by roughly 15%.
- Better performance at elevated temperatures: Increased heat deflection temperature by roughly 25%.
- Professional-looking parts: New grey colour
Tough 2000 Resin – Mechanical Properties
The improvements in elongation, strength, and stiffness enhance the material’s overall toughness, which can be measured by the area under a stress-strain curve.
| ELONGATION AT BREAK | FLEXURAL STRENGTH | FLEXURAL MODULUS | |
| Tough 2000 Resin | 48% | 65 MPa | 1.9 GPa |
| Tough Resin | 23% | 57 MPa | 1.6 GPa |
| % Improvement | 109% | 14% | 19% |
Tough 2000 Resin – Thermal Properties Comparison
The improved HDT of Tough 2000 Resin enables parts made from this material to perform better in elevated temperatures, such as electronic enclosures or jigs and fixtures in manufacturing environments.
| HEAT DEFLECTION TEMP. @ 1.8 MPA | HEAT DEFLECTION TEMP. @ 0.45 MPA | |
| Tough 2000 Resin | 53 °C | 63 °C |
| Tough Resin | 43 °C | 47 °C |
| % Improvement | 23% | 34% |
Tough 2000 Resin – Professional Look and Feel
Above: Traditional Tough Resin in Translucent Blue and the new Tough 2000 Resin in Dark Grey colour/Image Credit: Formlabs
In addition to improving the mechanical and thermal properties of the tough resin, Formlabs also focused on creating a more professional look with its new material. Historically, the tough resin has been produced in translucent blue but the new tough 3000 resin is now available in dark grey colour to create professional-looking parts that blend seamlessly into their environment.
Conclusion
With the new and improved tough resin, Formlabs has created a resin that is comparable to ABS in strength and stiffness. And with the high-quality surface finish, the material becomes more than an attractive proposition. Formlabs has shared more details about the material on its official website and interested readers can visit the same to learn more.
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