A Guide to Stereolithography 3D Printing Materials
Compare injection-molded thermoplastics to ‘thermoplastic-like’ materials in stereolithography
Many factors come into play when comparing the material properties of thermoplastics found in injection molding versus “thermoplastic-like” materials used in an industrial-grade 3D printing technology like stereolithography (SLA).
SLA is a plastic 3D printing process that uses a thermoset liquid, not a thermoplastic, which is UV-cured in layers to form final parts. Because of this major difference in fabrication methods, material properties like tensile strength, heat deflection, and flexural modulus may differ from SLA’s more traditional counterpart. Furthermore, SLA produces anisotropic properties where the values for X, Y, and Z axes may differ depending on the orientation of the build—a consideration unique to 3D printing processes.
Within our 3D printing service, we offer a thorough selection of thermoplastic-like SLA materials, but what may surprise you is the versatility and range of potential applications for SLA parts. In the tables and charts below, we’ll take you through each material and its properties, and compare them with one another (as well as with molded plastics) to help you decide how to best implement SLA.
If you need insanely small layer thicknesses and feature sizes, MicroFine™ is the way to go. Yes, these printed parts are this small!
What Materials are Available for SLA 3D Printing?
Within our 3D printing service, we offer a thorough selection of thermoplastic-like SLA materials, but what may surprise you is the versatility and range of potential applications for SLA parts. Available SLA resins feature properties similar to ABS or PC. These include standard, tough, flexible, or specialty resins that are heat resistant, biocompatible, or transparent. Their mechanical properties run the gamut, including materials that exhibit hardness, flexibility, or impact resistance. SLA is known for creating high resolution parts with good surface finish, but less tensile strength, so choose your material carefully to match your application. Examples include:
- ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200): Strong, flexible, durable, and large format available, but has low heat deflection and a lower elongation at break compared to molded parts
- ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray): Durable, strong, and large format available
- ABS-Like Black (Accura 7820): Moisture-resistant and durable, but layer lines may be visible in a side profile
- MicroFine™ (Gray and Green): Durable and micro-resolution, but less impact strength and elongation
- ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122): Transparency, moisture-resistant, durable, and large format available, but secondary operations are required for functional part clarity
- PC-Like Advanced High Temp (Accura 5530): Strong, stiff, temperature-resistant, moisture-resistant, and transparency, but elongation is reduced if extreme temperature resistance is required
- PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60): Transparency, stiff, and large format available, but secondary operations are required for functional part clarity
- Ceramic-Like (Advanced HighTemp PerFORM): Strong, stiff, and temperature-resistant
- PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120): Flexible, transparency, and durable, but has a slightly lower elongation at break compared to molded parts
In the tables and charts below, we’ll take you through each material and its properties, and compare them with one another (as well as with molded plastics) to help you decide how to best implement SLA.
Polycarbonate-Like Materials
PC-Like Advanced High Temp (Accura 5530) material is best used for parts that need strength and stiffness combined with high temperature resistance, such as under-the-hood automotive or electrical components. With a thermal post-cure, the part’s heat deflection can be improved even further, but at the expense of durability. Note that a thermal post-cure will transition the part color to a slightly amber hue.
PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60) offers the ability for fine detail while providing good stiffness in parts. Common applications include durable prototypes for automotive, consumer electronics, and lighting components, as well as medical instruments. PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60) has a high tensile strength and modulus, making it ideal for prototyping parts similar to molded polycarbonate. PC-Like Translucent is an ideal material for polycarbonate-like parts when high temperature resistance is not required. Note that custom finishing is required to achieve functional clarity of parts built with PC-Like Translucent/Clear.
| Test Method |
PC-Like Advanced High Temp |
PC-Like Translucent/Clear |
PC Lexan 940 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Absorption | ASTM D570 |
0.55 ± 0.15% (20 degrees C, 50% relative humidity) |
-- |
24 hr.: 0.15% |
| E-modulus (x-y plane) |
ASTM D638* | 3,400 ± 400 MPa | 3,500 ± 400 MPa | -- |
| Tensile Strength (x-y plane) |
ASTM D638* | 50 ± 10 MPa | 75 ± 10 MPa |
Yield: 8,990 psi/62.0 MPa |
| Elongation at Break (x-y plane) |
ASTM D638* | 3 ± 2% | 7 ± 4% | 90% |
Chart 1: Two PC-like materials and one molded PC thermoplastic are compared across four material property categories.
*test speed 10mm/min.
ABS-like plastics offer strength, durability, and versatility, all in one group of materials.
ABS-Like Materials
ABS-Like Black (Renshape SL7820) has high strength and good dimensional stability, even in high humidity. The material is black and commonly used in automotive parts, consumer packaging, electrical housings, and toys due to its impact resistance and ease of secondary finishing that provides the appearance of production quality.
MicroFine™ is an exclusive Protolabs material that can build ultra-fine features in micro resolution. MicroFine™ is available in a green or gray color. Layer thicknesses of 0.001 in. and feature sizes of 0.0025 in. are possible with MicroFine™ to accommodate applications that require parts that are generally less than a cubic inch in size.
ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (Somos Watershed XC 11122) is a strong, durable, low moisture absorption ABS-like material. It’s nearly colorless and mimics a clear engineering-grade plastic. Watershed’s high clarity makes it a perfect material for prototyping lenses, flow-visualization models and microfluidics. Note that secondary operations will be required to get the material functionally clear. Watershed will also retain a very light blue hue afterward.
ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200) offers strength and durability, lending itself well to applications that require flexible snap-fit features. Note that ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200) has the lowest heat deflection of the SLA materials offered at Protolabs.
ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray) is a widely used, all-purpose material that provides flexibility relative to other SLA resins. It is an ideal stereolithography material for durability and heat tolerance. Parts built with ABS-Like Gray will have a look and feel similar to a molded plastic.
|
ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray) |
ABS-Like Black |
MicroFine™ | ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (Watershed XC 11122) |
ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200) |
ABS Bayblend FR 110 (Molded) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Water Absorption |
0.65% ± 0.15% | 0.25 ± 0.15% | 0.85% ± 0.15% | 0.35 ± 0.15% | 0.65 ± 0.15% | 0.050% (73.4 degrees F, 23 C) |
| E-modulus (x-y plane) ASTM D638* |
2,000 ± 400 MPa | 3,000 ± 400 MPa | -- | 2,900 ± 400 MPa | 3,300 ± 400 MPa | -- |
| Tensile Strength (x-y plane) ASTM D638* |
40 ± 8 MPa | 55 ± 10 MPa | 60 ± 10 MPa | 55 ± 10 MPa | 55 ± 10 MPa |
Yield: 60 MPa |
| Elongation at Break (x-y plane) ASTM D638* |
9% ± 5% | 5 ± 3% | 8 ± 4% | 6 ± 3% | 9 ± 5% | >50% |
Chart 2: Four ABS-like materials and one molded ABS thermoplastic are compared across four material property categories.
*test speed 10mm/min.
Polyethylene comes in multiple densities and is considered sustainable because it can be melted and reused repeatedly.
Polypropylene-Like Material
PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120) is translucent in appearance, providing excellent resolution and fine detail. You may want to consider Somos 9120 for parts with thin walls or small holes. The PC-like material is also the most flexible SLA material at Protolabs, while maintaining its durability. Potential applications include automotive components, electrical housings and medical devices.
| Test Method |
PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120) |
PP Polypropylene Homopolymer (Molded) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Absorption | ASTM D570 | -- | 0.8% |
| E-modulus (x-y plane) |
ASTM D638* | 1,600 ± 300 MPa | -- |
| Tensile Strength (x-y plane) |
ASTM D638*. | 35 ± 5 MPa | 5,150 psi/35.5 MPa |
| Elongation at Break (x-y plane) |
ASTM D638* | 25 ± 5% | 400% |
Chart 3: One PP-like material and one molded PP thermoplastic are compared across four material property categories.
*test speed 10mm/min.
Metal Plating
Metal plating is a secondary process that adds a thin copper-nickel coating that provides the look, feel, and strength of a metal part without any added weight. Metal plating adds strength, durability, stiffness, wear resistance, and temperature resistance to SLA parts that previously was not achievable. Note that we typically layer either 0.002 in. or 0.004 in. of plating thickness on parts.
Aesthetically, finished parts look quite similar to aluminum parts. For more detailed information on surface finishes, you can download our free 3D Printing Finish Guide.
| Test Method | Metal Plating | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% metal volume | 20% metal volume | 30% metal volume | ||
| Tensile Strength | ASTM D638M | 100 (14.5) | 145 (21) | 200 (29) |
| Elongation at Break | ASTM D638M | 0.9% | 1.04% | 1% |
| Mod. Of Elasticity | ASTM D638M | 21,000 MPa | 31,000 MPa | 42,000 MPa |
Chart 4: Three grades of copper-nickel metal plating compared across three material property categories.
Comparison Charts for Material Properties
The charts below measure several thermoplastic-like materials suitable for SLA printing against various material properties: Tensile strength, elongation at break, water absorption, and e-modulus.
Tensile Strength
Elongation at Break
Water Absorption
E-Modulus
Parting Notes
Unlike thermoplastics, long-term exposure to UV light and moisture will alter the appearance and mechanical properties of SLA materials if they are not protected by plating or painting. Over time, you may experience part warpage, yellowing, and brittleness in some parts. SLA parts are not intended for long-term use in many instances, but understanding the short-term benefits of having highly detailed form and fit parts to use during early prototyping can be useful.
Remember to work closely with the 3D printing experts to help you select the right material for your project and ensure that build orientation is optimized for your part applications. Check out our 3D Printing Materials Guide for a broader view of additive materials, both plastic and metal, across all technologies.
Dive deeper into stereolithography at protolabs.com. For questions on 3D printing or any of our services, please contact an applications engineer at [email protected] or 877-479-3680.
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