Tough Resins - FormLabs

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175,00 €

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Engineering resins perfect to make functional, resistant and rigid prototypes.


Tough resins are part of the FormLabs family of Engineering Resins; a set of resins developed to solve the most complex engineering challenges thanks to the wide variety of functional materials.

Image 1: Tough and Durable Resins FormLabs. Source: FormLabs

The Tough Resins offered by FormLabs for their Form 2Form 3 and Form 3L are:

Tough 1500 (Functional prototypes) 

Tough 2000 (Strong and rigid prototypes)

Resina Tough 1500

The Tough 1500 resin is the most resilient material within the family of specific resins for the engineering field of the Formlabs company, so it is worth highlighting its ability to recover its original shape after ever being a bending force.

FormLabs' range of Engineering resins include Durable Resin and Tough Resin. Tough 1500 resin has been created in response to the search for a rigid and flexible material, resistant and with high resistance to impact.

When comparing Tough 1500 resin with Durable Resin and Tough Resin, we can see that it shares a series of characteristics with them:

Image 2: Comparison of Durable, Tough and Tough 1500 resin. Font: FormLabs.

PropiedadesDurable Resin V2
Postcured (60 ºC)
Tough 1500
Postcured(70 ºC)
Tensile strength at break (MPa) 31.8 33
Tensile modulus (GPa) 1.26 1.50
Elongation at break (%) 49.0 51.0
Flexural modulus (GPa) 0.82 1.40
Izod impact resistance (J / m) 109 67
Heat deflection temperature 1.8 MPa (ºC) - 45
Heat deflection temperature 0.45 MPa (ºC) 43.3 52.0

The properties of Tough 1500 resin are similar to those of polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic polymer that has high impact resistance and rigidity; and that it is widely used in the Industrial sector.

Thanks to its mechanical properties and good print resolution (supports 100 and 50 micron resolutions), Tough 1500 resin is suitable for manufacturing rigid parts with high impact resistance; that after bending they can return to their original state quickly even after repeated use. It is very useful in the manufacture of prototypes and functional assemblies, hinges, guides, fixings, etc.

Furthermore, this resin is certified for safe skin contact according to ISO 10993-1:

  • ISO 10993-5: Non-cytotoxic.
  • ISO 10993-10: Non-irritant.
  • ISO 10993-10: Non-sensitising.

The properties of Tough 1500 resin and its certification for skin contact make this resin an ideal material for prolonged skin contact applications such as wearable devices, personal protective equipment and other consumer goods.

In the event that parts made with Tough 1500 resin must be certified for skin contact, the user must follow the Tough 1500 resin post-processing conditions to the letter.

Image 3: Prototypes made with Tough 1500. Font: FormLabs.

Tough 2000 Resin

Tough 2000 resin is a strong and rigid material within the range of Formlabs company Tough and Durable engineering resins. As its name indicates, 2000 is the figure corresponding to the tensile modulus of this material (2000 MPa).

This resin, part of the reformulation of the Tough resin, for which different aspects have been taken into account. Tough 2000 resin has improved mechanical properties, including:

  • Increased elongation at break by more than 100%.
  • Higher flexural strength and flexural modulus of 15% approx.
  • Better performance at elevated temperatures.

Thus, Tough 2000 resin is less brittle and more rigid and strong than Tough resin.
In addition, the Tough 2000 resin changes from the translucent blue color of the Tough resin to a gray shade for a great finish and a professional look.

Tough - Tough 2000

Image 4: Tough Resin and Tough2000 Resin: FormLabs.

The modifications regarding the Tough resin can be seen below: 

PropertiesTough 2000ToughImprovement (%)
Elongation at break (%) 48 23 109
Flexural Strength (MPa) 65 57 14
Flexural modulus (%) 1.9 1.6 19
Heat deflection temperature 1.8 MPa (ºC) 53 43 23
Heat deflection temperature 0.45 MPa (ºC) 63 47 34

Tough 2000 resin simulates the properties of ABS; a material widely used in the industrial field for its high mechanical properties.

Thanks to its improved mechanical properties and good print resolution (supports 100 and 50 micron resolutions), Tough 2000 resin is suitable for a wide variety of applications in fields such as engineering. It is an ideal material for the manufacture of prototypes subject to wear, mechanical connectors, housings, etc.

Image 5: Prototypes made with Tough 2000. Source: FormLabs.

Thanks to Tough 1500, Tough 2000 and other FormLabs engineering resins, costs can be reduced and quality prototypes and final parts can be made very quickly.

Impact strength (KJ/m2) 6
Elongation at break (%) 60
Tensile strength (MPa) 33
Tensile modulus (MPa) 1460
Flexural strength (MPa) 35
Flexural modulus (MPa) 1050
Softening temperature (ºC) 43
Hide color variations (Hide color variations)

Below, a series of usage tips are cited that must be taken into account at all times with the use of FormLabs resins:

Change cartridge

Changing the resin cartridge of the FormLabs printers is very simple, just close the top cap of the ventilation duct (vent) and remove the cartridge by holding it by the handle it has. Then the other is inserted and the vent plug is opened in case an impression is to be started. To avoid drips through the 3D printer, this process must always be carried out with the resin tank mounted.

Vent plug FormLabs

Image 1: Vent plug of the FormLabs cartridges. Source: FormLabs

After finishing each impression the vent plug must be closed so that the resin maintains its properties. In addition, if you don't use the printer for some time, you should keep the cartridge in its original box to keep the properties of the resin intact.

Resin tank

Each type of resin must have its resin tank, which must be changed after using 2L of resin. FormLabs has developed a more powerful tank, the Resin Tank LT, which has a life up to 20 times longer than the standard tank.

FormLabs Resin Tank LT

Image 2: FormLabs Resin Tank LT. Source: FormLabs

To protect and store the excess resin in the tank after each printing, FormLabs supplies a lid that ensures a perfect closure. Once the tank is closed, it is recommended to store it (with resin and lid) in the original box so that the resin doesn't lose its properties when exposed to UV rays for a long time. Another point to keep in mind is that the tanks can't be cleaned with any cleaning product or similar (for example, isopopyl alcohol), since they lose certain qualities that can cause continuous failed impressions.

FormLabs Resin Tank

Image 3: FormLabs Resin Tank. Source: FormLabs

Failed printing

When an error occurs in printing may be because solid parts of a previous printing have fallen to the resin tank. In this case, a spatula at 45° must be passed through the printing tank, gathering all the solid parts in a corner and removing them. To ensure that the tank resin doesn't contain any solid parts, the resin should be cast with a 190 μm paper filter. Once cast, it is put back into the tank and it is ready to be used again.

Video 1: Clean resin tank. Source: FormLabs

Isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is the key to the washing and post-processing of parts and you should know when it is time to change it. In the Finish Kit the moment to change it's when the IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) is so saturated with resin particles, that after washing the pieces are still sticky. At that point you must remove all the liquid, clean the container well and throw new IPA, but never fill in on the previous one.

Finish Kit FormLabs

Image 4: Finish Kit FormLabs. Source: FormLabs

In the Form Wash, the wash center itself indicates through its screen when it is time to change the isopropyl alcohol.

Video 2: FormLabs Ecosystem. Source: FormLabs

If you wish you can contract our SLA 3D printing training courses (online or in person) by contacting us through the contact form. The training is oriented to obtain a wide knowledge and know how to use the 3D SLA FormLabs printers from the beginning and t.hus avoid major errors.

General information
Manufacturer

FormLabs (Massachusetts, USA)

Technology  SLA / LFS
Material Photopolymer
Wavelength UV 405 nm
Format 1 liter
Compatible 3D printers Form 2, Form 3Form 3B
Compatible resin tanks Form 2 LTForm 3
Print settings
Layer height 100-50 microns
Exposure Time It is not necessary to configure the printing parameters in the Formlabs printers. The chip incorporated in the resin cartridges detects the type of material by configuring the printing automatically.
Off time
Lifting height
Bottom exposure
Bottom layers
Curing and washing properties
Washing time (FormWash) Tough 1500: 10 + 10 min
Tough 2000: 10 + 10 min
Curing time (FormCure) Tough 1500: 60 min / 70ºC
Tough 2000: 60 min / 70ºC 
Mechanical properties (without curing / with curing)
Izod impact strength (ASTM D256-10) Tough 1500: 72 J/m / 67 J/m
Tough 2000: 79 J/m / 40 J/m
Charpy impact strength -
Elongation at break (ASTM D 638-10) Tough 1500: 69% / 51%
Tough 2000: 74% / 48%
Tensile strength (ASTM D 638-10) Tough 1500: 26 MPa / 33 MPa
Tough 2000: 29 MPa / 46 MPa
Tensile Modulus (ASTM D638-10) Tough 1500: 940 MPa / 1500 MPa
Tough 2000: 1200 MPa / 2200 MPa
Flexural strength (ASTM D 790-15) Tough 1500: 15 MPa / 39 MPa
Tough 2000: 17 MPa / 65 MPa
Flexural modulus  (ASTM C790-10) Tough 1500: 440 MPa / 1400 MPa
Tough 2000: 450 MPa / 1900 MPa
Surface hardness (ASTM 2240) Tough 1500: -
Tough 2000: -
Thermal properties (without curing / with curing)
Softening temperature (ASTM D 648-16 / @ 0.45 MPa) Tough 1500: 34 ºC / 45 ºC
Tough 2000: 42 ºC / 53 ºC
Additional Information
Lifetime (since manufacturing) 24 months
HS Code 2916.1


* The typical values detailed in this table should be considered as a reference. Actual values may vary depending on the 3D printer model used, part design and printing conditions. We recommend confirming the results and final properties with own tests. For more information you should consult the technical data sheet of the product.

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