The days of weak 3D printer resin are over, especially as more people flock towards SLA 3D printing as their primary technology. It’s very possible to get strong 3D printer resins now, so I decided to write an article that can guide you on choosing some good options.
This article is going to have options which 3D printer users go to when they need strong, functional resin 3D prints. Let’s get straight into it..
1. Siraya Tech Tenacious Flexible Resin
If you want resin that has flexibility, strength, and impact resistance, Siraya Tech Tenacious Flexible Resin is very suitable for you.
The reason why this one makes the list of one of the stronger resins is because of its mechanical properties which assist in the strength category and not breaking so easily.
Its manufacturers and users claim that a thin object printed with this resin can bend up to 180 degrees without showing any signs of breakage while the large and thick 3D prints have great strength, durability, and resilience.
It comes in a transparent yellow light color, this combination of transparency and color makes it easy for the user to check the internal structure of the 3D model and dye the print.
One of the best things about this resin is how it mixes so well with other resins to give it flexible properties, rather than solely using the flexible resin. A 50/50 mix of this resin with another is a great combination for increasing part durability.
A user even went the extra mile and rode over a 3D printed resin piece with their car, just to show how impact-resistant it is, and it actually came out in one piece.
This resin can bring amazing results if used to print 3D models in your chosen SLA 3D printer. Since this resin contains a high amount of polymers in it, it is recommended by the manufacturers to print at a high temperature, above 25°C.
Although the resin is flexible, it doesn’t actually come out as rubbery, and more like a soft plastic.
If you are tired of printing those brittle resin 3D prints, jump onboard with this high quality resin.
Check out the Siraya Tech Tenacious Flexible Resin on Amazon today for a new level of flexibility and strength.
2. Siraya Tech Blu Strong Resin
Another really strong resin, also from Siraya Tech is the Blu Strong & Precise High Resolution Resin which you can easily find on Amazon.
When we talk about performing under harsh conditions and extreme stress, this resin should do really well due to its unique tough and strong mechanical properties.
It is considered the most suitable option to print functional 3D models that require strength yet some flexibility to perform their functions. Blu resin ensures that all different factors are balanced including strength and hardness to get better results.
Users love just how smooth the surfaces are, as well as the high resolution of the resin prints.
The resin was initially formulated for the LCD 3D printers but can work for DLP 3D printers as well.
The video below showcases just how functional this resin is.
Finding resins that can actually withstand impacts and force is pretty difficult, with resin being known to be pretty brittle, where even a little drop can break a model.
With this resin on the market, you can rest assured that your 3D printed objects are durable and won’t break easily from normal use. You can even opt-in to use this resin for functional objects that require load-bearing strength.
Its strength can be estimated with the results of this test that a hook printed with Siraya Tech Blu Strong Resin was able to lift 20KG of weight without any issues.
The resin is ideally used at a temperature of 25°C or above to get a smooth finish and high-resolution prints.
Similar to the flexible resin above, this works really well when you mix it with other resins out there, a great combination being a 50/50 mix with this and Anycubic Low-Odor Eco UV Resin.
Check out the Siraya Tech Blu Strong Resin on Amazon today to get the strong and flexible resin 3D prints.
3. eSUN ABS-Like Hard Tough Resin
The eSUN ABS-Like Hard-Tough Resin is another great candidate for a very strong material for your SLA 3D printers.
- Has a hardness rating of 75-81D
- High impact resistance
- Great wear resistance
- Amazing for mechanical and functional parts
- Contains polyurethane acrylate monomers to help reduce shrinkage and improve dimensional accuracy
- Comes very safely packaged.
Parts aren’t brittle like your usual resins out there, and come with a little flex, but still being stiff overall.
Customers love just how tough and accurate the prints come out, while not shrinking or curling off the build plate.
In a nutshell, it is one of the strongest resins out there and considered a favorable option when it comes to printing 3D models that require hardness, durability, toughness, and perfection, all in a single model.
This resin is compatible and works flawlessly with most LCD 3D printers.
The volume of shrinkage during the curing process is reduced because the resin contains polyurethane acrylate monomers, this factor results in 3D printed models with high precision and perfect smooth finish.
With its rapid properties, it allows the 3D printer to print models quickly, improving the print speed, and eventually reducing the curing time.
Its hard and tough properties provide good adhesion of the print to the build plate and allow you to detach the model easily after completion.
This resin has been specially created and designed for LED light source 3D printers to provide the best quality results, so you can rapidly cure prints with ease.
The models printed with this resin will have a very clear and brilliant color effect because of its high-quality pigments.
Check out the eSUN ABS-Like Hard Tough Resin on Amazon today to get the resin 3D prints of high toughness and strength.
4. Peopoly Moai Tough Resin
Peopoly Moai Tough Resin is a great option for people who want to print 3D models that can withstand extra wear and tear.
You can get this resin in a wide range of colors as it can be used in a variety of applications especially in engineering, dental, and jewelry applications
Most of the resins out there that are used for SLA 3D printers can bring the best quality prints with perfect details and finish, but they usually lack high strength and inferiority.
Printing your models with Peopoly Moai Tough Resin should allow you to get the best quality and tensile strength at the same time. It remains a bit soft during the printing process and may need additional supports and high temperature.
While the 3D print is submerged in the water container, this resin usually requires at least 30 minutes of UV light post-curing process. The more you cure the print, the tougher, stronger, and durable it will be.
I wrote an article about How to Cure Resin 3D Prints in Water so definitely check that out to improve the strength and quality of your models.
Check out the Peopoly Moai Tough Resin today to get the resin 3D prints of high toughness and strength.
5. Liqcreate Tough-X Resin
This amazing resin is designed to be compatible with all the UV resin LCD and DLP 3D Printers within wavelengths of 385nm to 405nm range. It is an engineer-grade photopolymer resin that comes in a black opaque color.
You are sure to be satisfied with the unmatched strength, high impact and chemical resistance, as well as its impressive mechanical properties.
It is considered one of the best options when it comes to printing types of strong end-products such as industrial spare parts, functional models, weight lifting hooks, and many other heavy-duty products.
The Liqcreate Tough-X Resin has 150% elongation properties making it worth buying to get robust, persistent, and high-performance 3D prints.
It is recommended that you shake the bottle well before using the resin and letting it rest for up to 10 minutes after shaking it properly, this will allow the air bubbles to escape the bottle.
This resin can also be poured back into the bottle, but you have to make sure that there are no cured resin residues left behind in the resin as they can cause issues with the next prints.
Make sure you wear nitrile gloves and other safety equipment while working with the resin.
Check out the Liqcreate Tough-X Resin today to get the resin 3D prints of high toughness and strength.
Premium Tough Resins
If the resins above don’t satisfy you, though they most likely will, you have even more options out there.
One really great place I found where you can get some serious resins is the iMakr High Strength Resin website.
The cool thing is how you can filter the resins out by “Type”, consisting of:
- High-Strength
- Flexible
- Dental
- Castable
- Biocompatible
- High Resolution
- Ceramic Resin & more
Although they pack some serious strength and quality, you are going to have to foot the premium bill that comes with it.
An example is the EnvisionTEC E-RigidForm Resin for strong, hard and stiff parts, which work great for prototypes and end-use. 1kg of this resin costs over $300 and that is tax excluded!
It does have a Hardness Shore D of 87 and 120-126 MPa flexural strength.
How to Make Resin Prints Stronger
One of the best ways to make resin 3D prints stronger is to increase your exposure times. Resin prints that have more exposure tend to come out stronger. You can also use a lower layer height to increase strength, but you’ll want to use a lower exposure time to account for the lesser amount of resin being cured.
Many people discovered that you can actually add a flexible or tough resin along with your standard resin to increase the strength of your resin 3D prints. You only need to add in around 3 parts of standard resin to 1 part of flexible or tough resin.
This means you’ll have a 75% and 25% split between these two different resins.
Check out the video below by Monocure 3D for a great explanation of some of these tips to make resin prints more durable.
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FAQs
What is the strongest type of resin for 3D printing? ›
Liqcreate Strong-X is one of the strongest materials available in the market. Its flexural strength of 135MPa is comparable to industry's leading dual-cure cyanate ester resins. Liqcreate Strong-X is easy to use on all open source SLA and DLP 3D-printers in the range of 385 – 405nm and only requires UV post-curing.
What is the strongest type of resin? ›Liqcreate Strong-X
Liqcreate's Strong-X is perhaps the toughest resin on this list. Boasting a 91 MPa tensile strength and 135 MPa flexural strength, it can easily be applied for heavy-duty uses. Strong-X also provides high-temperature resistance, enough even for injection molding applications.
· Triangular Infill Pattern
Most 3D enthusiasts attribute this to triangles being the strongest shape. Using a triangular infill also improves print speed due to the straight-line movement of the printhead.
- Markforged Mark One. The Mark One can print functional parts with a higher strength-to-weight ratio than aluminium. ...
- Formlabs Form 2 (with Tough Resin) ...
- Zortrax M200 (with Zortrax Z-ULTRAT)
Polycarbonate. According to multiple manufacturers and reviewers, polycarbonate (PC) is considered the strongest consumer filament out there. PC can yield extremely high-strength parts when printed correctly with an all-metal hot end and an enclosure.
How do you make resin 3D prints stronger? ›- Shorten Isopropyl Alcohol Contact Time. ...
- Suitable Resin Print Curing. ...
- Paint the Resin or use a UV blocker to cover it. ...
- Work in a Warm and Well-Ventilated Environment. ...
- Create a Hollow Resin Print. ...
- Check Your Printer's Settings. ...
- Choose a Durable or Flexible Resin.
Once hardened, epoxy is extremely strong, dimensionally stable, and chemical-resistant. Epoxy offers a wide variety of advantages over other adhesives and coatings, including: Exceptional strength.
Which resin has the highest tensile strength? ›For the highest tensile strength among Formlabs materials, choose Rigid Resin. Other materials with high tensile strength include Standard Resin, Grey Pro Resin, and Tough Resin.
How do I choose the best resin? ›Choosing the right product includes finding a material that can exhibit the color, transparency, texture, and surface treatments you need. When selecting your resin, consider whether it will meet your product's intended appearance and function requirements.
How strong can 3D printing be? ›PLA OR POLYLACTIC ACID
Why do so many people choose PLA as their 3D printing filament? It provides ease of use at a low cost and, importantly, it is reasonably strong. Additionally, you can print with PLA at a low temperature, without a heated bed, but it has a tensile strength of 7,250 psi.
Which PLA filament is the strongest? ›
PLA+ / Tough PLA
Most PLA+ filaments are advertised as being stronger, less brittle, more durable, and better for layer adhesion.
Extrusion (also known as FDM for Fused Deposition Modeling or FFF for Fused Filament Fabrication) is the most common 3D printing technique.
What is the strongest 3D printed metal? ›New titanium alloy has highest specific strength of any 3D-printed metal.
What material is most commonly used in 3D printing? ›Of all the different materials being utilized for 3D printing, plastic is the most common. Plastic is quite versatile—being used for everything from 3D printed household fixtures to toys. Plastic 3D printing material comes in multiple different colors and can also be transparent.
What material do most 3D printers use? ›Plastic is still the most popular material used for 3D printing. As the 3D-printing market value increases, the list of what materials can be used also grows. Raw materials such as metal, graphite, and carbon fiber are commonly used for 3D printing, though at-home use is mostly limited to PLA for now.
Which is stronger ABS or PLA? ›PLA and ABS are both thermoplastics. PLA is stronger and stiffer than ABS, but poor heat-resistance properties means PLA is mostly a hobbyist material. ABS is weaker and less rigid, but also tougher and lighter, making it a better plastic for prototyping applications.
Is PLA or PET stronger? ›The main differences between the two are their properties, applications, and material costs. PETG is stronger and more resilient than PLA. PLA, on the other hand, is widely used as FDM/FFF filaments because of its better melt and cooling properties. In terms of cost, PETG is more expensive than PLA.
Which filament is best for 3D printing? ›Polylactic acid, or PLA, is the most common 3D printing filament and the easiest to use. Unlike most plastics, it's made from corn starches so it is non-toxic and, in theory, compostable, though it takes an industrial composter to do it.
What is the strongest infill pattern for 3D printing? ›Triangular Infill: Triangular infill is the strongest infill pattern because triangles are the strongest shape. They are least likely to deform and provide the best support structure behind the walls of the part.
Which is stronger resin or filament? ›While resin 3D printers can produce better quality parts than filament printers, they fall short when it comes to part strength and durability. Resin parts are often weak and brittle, so they have relatively few end-use applications.
What are the advantages of a resin 3D printer? ›
Resin printers are popular for producing high-accuracy, isotropic, and watertight prototypes and parts in a range of advanced materials with fine features and smooth surface finish.
What is stronger than epoxy resin? ›Polyurea is also a 2-step resin, but remarkably superior to Epoxy resin. As mentioned above, Polyurea is 4x stronger than Epoxy. It is also 98% more flexible than Epoxy. It is the flexibility of the material that makes it extremely durable and long-lasting.
Which is better epoxy or resin? ›Compared to casting resin, epoxy coating resin has relatively shorter processing times. Because the ink layers do not mix, they can be better controlled. Epoxy coating is more resistant to mechanical influence as compared to casting resin. Epoxy coating is suitable on rougher surfaces and is water-resistant.
Is epoxy resin stronger than plastic? ›Although, plastics are more durable than resins. Plastics also contain lesser impurities than resins and are more stable.
What is stronger epoxy or polyester resin? ›Epoxy is known for its higher bonding capabilities overall. An epoxy's relative strength can hold up to 2,000 lbs. per square inch, while a polyester resin can hold less than 500 lbs. per square inch.
What material has the highest tensile strength? ›Tungsten has the highest tensile strength of any pure metal – up to 500,000 psi at room temperature. It has the highest tensile strength even at temperatures over 1,500°C.
Which resin has the highest heat resistance? ›- Achieves the world's highest level of heat resistance in epoxy resins.
- Approximately 50°C increase in heat resistance compared to the phenolic novolac type.
There are three main types of Resins used today for use with Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass, and Aramid (Kevlar). These are Epoxy, Vinylester, Polyester Resins. Each has different characteristics and associated costs.
What is the most used resin? ›Polyethylene resins are the most common type of resin, with over 100 million tons produced annually. They have strong chemical and steam or moisture resistance and a high degree of flexibility.
What is the easiest resin to use? ›Relatively speaking, epoxy is the easiest to work with. It's the most forgiving of beginner resin mistakes, plus it's the easiest to mix and measure.
What is the lightest strongest 3D printing material? ›
World's lightest and strongest material: Graphene Aerogel 3D printing! There is a lot of new developments in the field of materials for Additive Manufacturing uses, from 3D printing with Glass or Cellulose to the world's strongest material Graphene.
Can you 3D print metal? ›Titanium, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, cobalt chrome, titanium, tungsten and nickel-based alloys are all available in powdered form for 3D printing, as are precious metals like gold, platinum, palladium and silver.
Is carbon fiber filament stronger? ›When should you print with carbon fiber filaments? This type of filament is way stronger than a standard filament such as PLA or ABS. Furthermore, the quality of the surface is flawless and it is pretty lightweight, bearing in mind that their figures are very stiff.
What 3D print material is stronger than PLA? ›PETG filament
It has a strong impact and abrasion resistance and can sustain higher temperatures compared to PLA. Because of its excellent properties and relatively low price, PETG is commonly used in 3D printing. It is a good engineering-grade material that can be used in place of ABS.
PLA is a great first material to use as you are learning about 3D printing because it is easy to print, very inexpensive, and creates parts that can be used for a wide variety of applications. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly filaments on the market today.
Is PLA or TPU stronger? ›Another difference between TPU and PLA is its tensile strength, where PLA comes out on top. Although TPU offers better durability, polylactic acid is the stronger of the two 3D printing filaments. However, TPU prints have the upper hand when it comes to abrasion resistance.
Which 3D printing method is fastest? ›The C-CAT (Carima-Continuous Additive 3D Printing Technology) is a super-fast 3D printing technology. Like Carbon3D's CLIP process, C-CAT is a continuous DLP technology that can produce objects at amazing speeds. According to Carima, C-CAT technology can print 60cm3 per hour with a layer thickness of only 0.001 mm.
What are the 4 most common types of 3D printing? ›Lots of 3D printers use PBF technology. The most common types of printers are selective laser sintering ( SLS), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), selective laser melting (SLM), HP's Multi Jet Fusion ( MJF), high-speed sintering (HSS) and electron beam melting (EBM).
How strong is 3D printing metal? ›Tests showed that under certain conditions the final 3D printed stainless steels were up to three times stronger than steels made by conventional techniques and yet still ductile, the scientists report today in Nature Materials .
Can you 3D print a gun? ›A 3D printed gun is in part or entirely manufactured with a 3D printer. There are three types of 3D printed firearms: fully 3D printed (F3DP), hybrids, and parts kit completions (or parts kit conversions – both abbreviate as 'PKC. ') Some firearms, like the Liberator, can be made almost entirely with a 3D printer.
How strong is 3D printed aluminum? ›
Aluminum alloys for 3D printing are also not as strong as nickel-based alloys or steel. That being said, aluminum alloys are less expensive than titanium and are more lightweight than steel and nickel-based materials. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of 3D printing aluminum is related to its printability.
What kind of resin is used for 3D printing? ›Resins fall into several categories, including: draft, flexible, high-resolution 8K, tough, and water-washable. Some of the best 3D printer resins in the market today are ELEGOO water-washable resin, ELEGOO ABS-like resin, and Siraya Tech's Fast resin.
What is the most important thing we should consider when making something in 3D? ›The size, resolution, thickness, orientation and choice of material are all important elements of a creation dedicated to 3D printing. When these factors are all considered and balanced, you are sure to get a functional part that meets your needs.
Are 3D printed materials stronger? ›TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane) is most well known for its flexibility, which is what makes this 3D printing material so strong. Along with being flexible, TPU is also highly durable, with strong resistance to impact, wear and tear, chemicals, and abrasion.
What is the strongest plastic material for 3D printing? ›Polycarbonate. One of the strongest FDM 3D printing materials — in terms of both tensile[1] and impact strength — is polycarbonate (PC).
What is the most commonly used 3D filament? ›Polylactic acid, more commonly known as PLA, is the most widely used 3D filament because it is so easy to print. This plastic is made from vegetable starches, having the property of being biodegradable and being able to melt at low temperatures.
What 3D printing materials are the most flexible? ›While terminology is often mixed, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is the most commonly used flexible material within the 3D printing industry.
What resin should I use for 3D printing? ›Some of the best 3D printer resins in the market today are ELEGOO water-washable resin, ELEGOO ABS-like resin, and Siraya Tech's Fast resin.
Is SLA resin stronger than PLA? ›Is Resin Stronger than PLA? Yes, resin prints have stronger mechanical properties than PLA prints, but that doesn't mean they are rendered useless. PLA is used in a lot of 3D printing applications ranging from replacement parts, tooling accessories and architectural models.
Is UV resin stronger than PLA? ›Strength & Properties of Filament vs Resin
It is a widespread belief that FDM prints are stronger than resin prints, but this is not always true. Resins, such as Siraya Tech Sculpt, have a higher tensile strength than PLA and PETG. As for durability, Siraya Tech Blu is very similar to PETG.
What is the best material to use for 3D printing? ›
PLA is the go-to material for most users due to its ease-of-use, dimensional accuracy, and low cost.
What is the fastest resin for 3D printing? ›Siraya Tech Fast
It's called "fast" resin for a good reason, too. Most resin prints with an exposure time of 9-11 seconds, with a first layer exposure in 60-70 seconds. The Siraya Tech can give you the same quality print in just 6-8 seconds and the first layer in 40-45 seconds.
Print quality
On the whole, resin 3D printing processes can achieve better resolution, better surface finish, and can generally produce more high-quality parts than extrusion processes. When it comes to very fine features, a process like SLA can produce a high level of dimensional accuracy.
FDM parts are stronger in general when compared to SLA parts. This is due to FDM making use of well-established and widely used thermoplastics that are significantly stronger than photopolymers.
What is SLA vs SLS? ›SLS (selective laser sintering) is a 3D printing technique that uses a laser to fuse together small particles of plastic, metal, glass, or ceramic powder into a solid object. SLA (stereolithography) uses an ultraviolet (UV) laser to cure (harden) photosensitive resin into the desired shape.
What is better resin or PLA? ›While the quality of pricey FDM printers such as PLA, PETG and Nylon is still very good, resin printers are generally superior in quality since resin printing allows for the finer details to come through.
What is stronger than PLA filament? ›PETG is stronger and more resilient than PLA. PLA, on the other hand, is widely used as FDM/FFF filaments because of its better melt and cooling properties. In terms of cost, PETG is more expensive than PLA.
What is the best UV resistant resin? ›- Sig Wong High Gloss Professional Epoxy Resin. ...
- UNOKKI Bubble-Free Non-Flammable Epoxy Resin. ...
- Pro Marine Supplies Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit. ...
- Alumilite Amazing Art Deco Epoxy Resin. ...
- Better Boat High Gloss Clear Epoxy Resin Kit. ...
- Puduo Self Leveling Artist Epoxy Resin.
In general, the tensile strength of epoxy resins can range from 5,000 to 6,000 psi.
Is PLA stronger than plastic? ›In addition, PLA is brittle, leading to parts with poor durability and impact resistance. Although PLA is the strongest of these three plastics, its poor chemical and heat resistance force it into almost exclusively hobbyist applications.
How is PLA better than plastic? ›
PLA is biodegradable under commercial composting conditions and will breakdown within twelve weeks, making it a more environmentally choice when it comes to plastics in contrast to traditional plastics which could take centuries to decompose and end up creating microplastics.