BASF Ultracur3D EL150

The Ultracur EL150 3D printing resin from BASF (Forward AM) is a reactive urethane photopolymer designed as part of the company's Flexible resin line. This specialized material is engineered for applications requiring high elasticity, making it ideal for parts that need flexibility and durability. With a Shore hardness of 77 A, it strikes a balance between medium softness and resilience, providing reliable performance in both functional and prototyping applications.

EL150 excels in terms of mechanical properties, offering a rebound resilience of 28% and a tear strength (Graves) of 14 N/mm. Its elongation at break reaches 182%, underscoring its capacity to withstand significant deformation before failure. These features make it a top choice for applications such as footwear, where long-term rebound and flexibility are essential, as well as cushioning pads, flexible grips, and various prototyping components that demand both elasticity and structural integrity.

Video 1: Rebound behavior of a part 3D printed with the EL150 resin. Source: BASF (Forward AM).

This resin is compatible with a range of resin 3D printing technologies, including LCD/DLP/SLA systems that operate between 385 and 405 nm wavelengths. This versatility enables easy integration into existing manufacturing workflows, enhancing productivity in sectors like footwear design and functional prototyping. EL150’s combination of torsional strength and elasticity makes it ideal for producing parts that require dynamic flexibility, such as cushioning systems and custom grips.

For a detailed understanding of EL150’s long-term performance, including its UV resistance, chemical resistance, and biocompatibility, users can refer to the technical datasheet (Attachments). Dynamic mechanical analysis results and other performance evaluations are also available in the documentation. Additionally, the user guideline provides practical instructions on resin storage, printer settings, and post-processing techniques. The BASF (Forward AM) settings navigator is another valuable tool, offering specific recommendations for fine-tuning printer configurations to optimize results with EL150 resin.