Bluestone vs Formlabs Clear
Polymer · grade comparison
Bluestone and Clear are both polymer grades. On the shop floor, Clear sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Bluestone (premium, $$$).
ClearChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.
Bluestone vs Clear: 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
Max service temp
Thermal conductivity
Machinability
Same in both: Electrical conductivity 0 % IACS · Weldability 5 / 100 · Formability 5 / 100
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 | Bluestone | Clear |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | Standard |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
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.
Bluestone vs Clear — frequently asked
What is the difference between Bluestone and Clear?
Bluestone and Clear are both polymer grades. On the shop floor, Clear sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Bluestone (premium, $$$).
Which is cheaper, Bluestone or Clear?
Clear is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Bluestone is premium ($$$). 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 Bluestone over Clear?
Pick Clear when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Bluestone and Clear 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.