Are Resin 3D Prints Stronger Than Filament? Strength Comparison
People wonder whether resin 3D prints are stronger than filament 3D prints, so I decided to write an article going through some key information and answering this question.
Resin 3D prints are not usually stronger than filament 3D prints, mainly due to being a more brittle material that doesn’t have the durability that they materials have. A filament like PLA is quite brittle compared to filaments, but other filaments like Nylon or Polycarbonate are a lot stronger than resin 3D prints.
Keep reading to find out more about these 3D prints and the factors that have an impact on their strength.
Are Resin Prints Stronger Than Filament
FDM or (Fused Deposition Modeling) is one of the most popular 3D printing technologies. It works by melting and extruding thermoplastic filaments to create a 3D object layer by layer. Strength is one of the properties that make this technology popular in 3D printing.
You can 3D print with materials like ABS, a standard plastic used for many household objects and toys that last many years.
When it comes to FDM materials, some of the best options include:
- ABS
- Tough PLA (PLA+)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Nylon
- PETG
- Polypropylene (PP)
One user stated that PEEK is the strongest FDM printing filament but it cannot be printed by conventional 3D printers.
Another user stated that PLA is pretty tough but it is somewhat brittle. He thinks that if you want your prints to be strong yet slightly more flexible, PETG and ABS are better options.
One user recommends printing with fiber-reinforced filament to achieve strong results. Fibers in the filament contribute to the overall strength of FDM prints by creating a mechanical link between layers, which helps to increase tensile strength and resistance to impact.
Filamentprints are not only more durable and stronger than their resin counterparts, but they are also more flexible and less prone to breaking under stress compared to resin 3D models.
This makes them ideal for functional parts that require toughness and durability. If you want to create detailed precision parts such as jewelry or dental models, go for resin rather than FDM.
Resin 3D prints are often used for creating small, intricate objects. While FDM doesn’t have the highest level of accuracy or surface finish, it can produce durable parts great for many functional applications.
Check out the video below for a strength comparison between resin and FDM prints.
How Strong Are Resin 3D Prints?
Resin 3D prints can be really strong when you use resins that are designed to be tough and durable. Standard resins and ABS-like resins are usually quite brittle and models would most likely break if dropped from a height of 1 foot. You can make resins stronger by mixing in a flexible resin.
High-quality resins feature a tensile strength of around 55Mpa. Some high-performance resins that are specifically designed for functional prototyping and end-use applications can have strengths that are comparable to or even higher than other 3D printing materials.
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This is showing the results from ChituSystems’ Conjure Tough Resin, which you can get on Amazon.
There are some key factors that determine the strength of resin 3D prints:
- Type of resin
- Design of the model
- Print settings
Type of Resin
A key factor when it comes to the strength of resin 3D prints is the resin itself. Some resins are a lot stronger than others, namely the engineering resins and flexible resins.
Many of the standard resins that people use are quite brittle when you use them by itself.
Here are some strong resins that users say work great:
- Siraya Tech Blue – Based on customer reviews, it’s one of the stronger resins on the market. This tough resin can withstand accidental drops, compression, and bending without breaking easily, which makes it great for creating flexible and strong functional parts. It is made to maintain a good balance between impact resistance and hardness.
- ABS-Like Resins – They are tougher than standard ones due to their unique chemical composition and physical properties. When combined with 10-15% flexible resin, they can be even more durable and stronger. The presence of butadiene in the ABS-like resins makes them more elastic and less brittle than standard resins.
- Liqcreate Strong-X – With flexural strength of 135 MPa and tensile strength of 91 MPa, this resin is ideal for heavy-duty applications. It has been engineered to provide high strength, durability, and toughness in printed parts. The resin is also resistant to chemicals and high temperatures, making it ideal for use in harsh environments.
Check this video to get a better idea of how to strengthen your 3D prints by mixing resins.
Design of the Model
Another key factor for the strength of resin 3D prints is the design of the model itself. If you have a 3D print which has many thin or longer parts on it, there’s going to be less strength and durability.
Some miniatures have small parts like swords or spears on the model that would break a lot easier than a thick box, for example.
One user who used Elegoo resin to print a 50 x 25 x 2.5mm slab tested its strength by trying to break it with his bare hands. It was much stronger than he expected.
Print Settings
Having good print settings is something that can help with having stronger resin prints. If your resin models are hollowed, try to increase their wall thickness to about 3mm.
If you want a lot of strength, you can 3D print your models without hollowing them so they are solid on the inside, though this uses a lot more resin.
Also, make sure that your normal exposure times are dialed in so you aren’t under or over exposing your resin 3D prints.
If you under expose your resin models, the resin won’t harden enough to its optimal strength, but if you over expose it, you can create a more brittle material.
Also, make sure not to over cure your resin models after the printing process.