ABS vs Formlabs Color Resin
Polymer · grade comparison
ABS and Color Resin are both polymer grades, both multipurpose plastic. On the shop floor, ABS sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Color Resin (standard, $$).
ABSChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.
ABS vs Color Resin: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Properties
Yield strength
Tensile strength
Elongation at break
Elastic modulus (Young's)
Density
Thermal conductivity
Machinability
Weldability
Formability
Same in both: Max service temp 75°C167 °F · Electrical conductivity 0 % IACS
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ABS | Color Resin |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Unfilled | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
Both are offered for Injection molding and 3D printing. Both take the same 12 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), Conductive Coating, Dyeing (Nylon), EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Primer Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, Tinted Coating, UV Coating, Vacuum Metallization, Waterproof Coating.
ABS vs Color Resin — frequently asked
What is the difference between ABS and Color Resin?
ABS and Color Resin are both polymer grades, both multipurpose plastic. On the shop floor, ABS sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Color Resin (standard, $$).
Which is cheaper, ABS or Color Resin?
ABS is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Color Resin is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose ABS over Color Resin?
Pick ABS when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ABS and Color Resin side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.