Tough

Tough

Tough resins are photopolymer resins specially designed and used to print functional prototypes. These resins can withstand impacts and offer greater strength than standard resins in general.

Used on LCD/DLP or SLA printers, they are photosensitive between 220 and 415nm (wavelength). Once exposed to light (LED), they harden almost instantly, explaining the fast printing speed.

These resins are used in applications where flex under stress is essential. Ideal for robust prototypes, jigs, and fixtures, this type of resin meets a wide range of dynamic needs.

Some of these materials even simulate the strength and rigidity of ABS in certain cases, such as Ultracur3D® ST 45B by BASF on LCD/DLP printers.

Post-processing is usually recommended. To remove excess resin, isopropyl alcohol is the preferred solution, while a UV chamber is needed to complete the curing. This final step allows the resin to reach its maximum mechanical properties.

How to choose your Tough resin?

The Tough resin family includes different types of materials, and your choice depends on your needs for modulus of elasticity, elongation, and elastic recovery.

Which Tough resins for which applications?

In recent years, more and more technical resins have been developed to mimic the mechanical properties of FDM materials such as ABS, PP, and PE (significant elongation).

These resins are developed for printing strong and durable prototypes, jigs and fixtures with slight bending, and assemblies subject to low friction.