Selecting the best material is a vital part of 3D printing, as we’ve seen dozens of times.
This is crucial in resin 3D printing,
which involves curing photosensitive materials layer by layer until the desired, delicate part is produced. Furthermore, the choice of resin is influenced by the photopolymerization technique used. Stereolithography, or SLA, is a type of method that employs a laser to cure the material,
while DLP and LCD use light displays instead.
In this article, we look at the types of resins you can use in 3D printing and their various characteristics to better understand the material options that are currently available.
It should be noted that the optimal polymerization caused by the curing light, which can be single or multi-wave, determines resin quality.
Here is where the idea of resin wavelength is useful. Higher light output power is required to cure resins with lower wavelength ratings.
Because of this, manufacturers specify a wavelength that their resins are compatible with. We can therefore conclude that DLP/LCD resins have longer wavelengths than SLA resins.
Regular 3D print Resins
This kind of resin is the most common on the market and in the list, as to be expected. Virtually every manufacturer creates standard resins, making them readily available, reasonably priced, and available in a wide range of colours.
They are an incredibly flexible option because they mix smooth and detailed results with significant hardness and straightforward post-processing like painting and sanding. Care must be taken, though, as they are brittle and likely to break and crack.
It is perfect for getting started in the world of resin 3D printing and producing decorative items, prototypes, figurines, and more due to its accessibility and simplicity of use.
Clear resins
Standard resins and clear resins are very similar.
They have the added benefit of being translucent and colourless, which makes them useful for producing small objects with lots of detail.
It not only makes the sanding and subsequent painting process easier, but it also allows you to give any kind of decorative object a glass-like appearance.
All of them have the same standard resins’ soft, smooth texture.
Although transparent resins are not suggested for food applications,
it should be noted that these parts withstand water contact without wearing out.
Malleable resins
These 3D printing resins have properties comparable to rubber and have a shore hardness of about 80A. Because they can twist and compress without deforming, they are known for their capacity to produce strong objects.
Rubber-like characteristics, including the ability to regain their original shape after compression, will be present in parts that are 3D printed using flexible resins.
Flexible resins are perfect for building prototypes of handles,
moving parts, and shock absorbers because of their durability and capacity to endure repeated use without breaking.
Industrial Resins for 3D Printing
Hard resins, also referred to as industrial photopolymers, are materials with strong mechanical properties that are perfect for the most demanding applications. They are distinguished by their ability to withstand pressure, as well as shocks and impacts, without breaking or cracking. These qualities enable them to be used for tasks that require strength and durability as well as serving as prototypes. We can find heat-resistant and burnout resins category.
Burnout Resin
Burnout resins can be grouped as industrial resins, just like heat-resistant resins. The creation and printing of the highly detailed model is the first step in using these components. The burnout resin then dries up during the metal casting process, leaving no ashes or remnants behind. In this way, the final object’s surface retains its cleanliness and smooth finish.
This type of resin is utilized, for instance, in the manufacturing of jewelry and dental prostheses, which call for parts with a smooth, flawless appearance.
Heat resistant resin
Making parts that are resistant to heat are very vital in 3d printing, and these 3D printing resins are the best option for you. Industrial resins include resins that can withstand heat.
Their ability to produce parts that can withstand temperatures of up to 230°C without losing their shape or properties defines them as thermally resistant.
They are therefore ideal for uses like the production of foundry tools,
tools that will be exposed to hot fluids, and machinery that will be exposed to high temperatures.
