Materials
MSLA engineering resins: a selection guide
The eight engineering resins we print with MSLA compared: HDT, tensile strength, elongation, typical uses and when to switch to FDM, SLS or MJF.
The right MSLA engineering resin depends on what the part has to do: Basic and Precision for appearance, masters and fit checks, Tough 1000 and Tough 2000 for impact and snap-fits, Rigid 10K for stiffness, High-Temp for heat, and Flame-Retardant or ESD Safe when electronics impose specific requirements. If the part is larger than the build volume or has to carry load in service for long periods, another process is the better fit.
When MSLA is the right process
MSLA is the right choice when fine detail, smooth surfaces and dimensional accuracy matter more than mechanical strength in service. In our MSLA printers, UV LEDs cure each full cross-section through an LCD mask, with 50 µm XY pixels and layers from 0.025 to 0.300 mm.
The numbers to keep in mind at the design stage:
- max build volume 353 × 196 × 350 mm;
- dimensional accuracy ±0.3 mm up to 100 mm, ±0.3% above;
- minimum wall thickness 1 mm.
Typical uses are appearance prototypes, masters for silicone molds, inspection jigs and gauges, and prototypes with features that FDM and SLS cannot reproduce. After printing, the part is washed in isopropyl alcohol and UV post-cured; full specs are on the MSLA 3D printing page.
The resins compared
The table summarizes the values in our materials catalog, where you can also download each resin's technical data sheet (TDS).
| Resin | Character | HDT | Tensile / elongation | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | appearance, lowest cost | 50 °C | 38 MPa / 6% | € |
| Precision | dimensional accuracy | 80 °C | 65 MPa / 5% | €€ |
| Tough 1000 | ABS-like | 45 °C | 23 MPa / 35% | €€ |
| Tough 2000 | polycarbonate-like | 70 °C | 46 MPa / 48% | €€ |
| Rigid 10K | glass-filled, very stiff | 218 °C | 65 MPa / 2% | €€€ |
| High-Temp | stable at high temperature | 238 °C | 52 MPa / 2% | €€€ |
| Flame-Retardant | self-extinguishing, UL 94 V-0 | 110 °C | 55 MPa / 4% | €€€ |
| ESD Safe | dissipates static charge | 73 °C | 44 MPa / 12% | €€€ |
Indicative catalog values: size the part against the resin's TDS.
Basic and Precision: appearance, masters and fit
Basic and Precision are the right resins when the part will be looked at, measured or assembled rather than loaded. Basic is the lowest-cost option in our resin range: a smooth finish and fine detail for styling models, customer presentations and visual checks of the geometry.
Precision costs one step more but adds high dimensional accuracy and more stiffness (65 MPa tensile, 80 °C HDT). It is the resin for mold masters, assembly prototypes and fit validation; for moving fits in MSLA we typically allow 0.1 mm of diametral clearance.
Tough 1000 and Tough 2000: impact, flex and snap-fits
The Tough resins are for prototypes that have to flex or take a knock without breaking. Tough 1000 behaves much like ABS: with 35% elongation it absorbs moderate impact and bending, which makes it a good fit for snap-fits, functional prototypes and enclosures headed for drop testing.
Tough 2000 is polycarbonate-like, stiff and tough at the same time: with 46 MPa and 48% elongation it handles significant loads in housings and demanding functional prototypes. Both have modest HDTs (45 and 70 °C) and are not meant for hot environments.
Rigid 10K: stiffness for jigs and gauges
Rigid 10K is the resin to choose when you need stiffness and dimensional stability. It is glass-filled, with a 10,000 MPa elastic modulus and behavior comparable to injection-molded glass-filled nylon, and its 218 °C HDT keeps it stable even near heat sources.
The trade-off is 2% elongation: it is stiff but has little tolerance for impact or bending. Use it for compact inspection fixtures, tooling and production supports; for larger or more heavily loaded ones, see our guide to 3D printed jigs and fixtures.
High-Temp: when temperature is the constraint
High-Temp is the resin for parts that have to hold their shape at high temperature: at 238 °C it has the highest HDT in our resin range. It suits low-volume injection molds, hot-air ducts and thermoforming patterns. Like Rigid 10K it has 2% elongation, so design it with generous fillets and keep it away from impact loads.
Flame-Retardant and ESD Safe: electronics requirements
Flame-Retardant is self-extinguishing, certified UL 94 V-0 at 3 mm, with a 110 °C HDT: it is designed for internal electronics components, transportation and applications with regulated fire-safety requirements. Because the rating refers to a given thickness, thinner walls need to be assessed case by case.
ESD Safe has controlled surface resistivity: it dissipates static charge and protects sensitive electronic components. It is used for tooling, enclosures and assembly fixtures in electronics.
When to move to FDM, SLS or MJF
Switch processes when the part falls outside what MSLA does best:
- Size: beyond 353 × 196 × 350 mm, FDM goes up to 350 × 350 × 450 mm and MJF to 380 × 284 × 380 mm.
- Sustained mechanical load: for parts under continuous stress in service, FDM with high-performance polymers or SLS remain the better choice.
- Prolonged heat and chemical exposure: HDT is not the same as continuous service temperature; for these conditions look at high-performance polymers in FDM such as PEEK, Ultem and PPS.
- Production runs of end-use parts: SLS and MJF print without supports, fill the build volume with many parts and deliver nylon parts with consistent properties; the trade-offs are in our MJF vs SLS guide.
Where to start
Upload your CAD through the quote form with the part's function, temperatures and any requirements (UL 94, ESD); if you are unsure which resin to pick, one of our engineers will recommend it. You get a quote within 24 business hours, and because MSLA runs in our own lab in Brescia, single prototypes can go on the 48–72 hour Express lane. For new product development, see also our rapid prototyping service.