Castable Wax Resin vs Formlabs Rigid 10K
Polymer · grade comparison
Castable Wax Resin and Rigid 10K are both polymer grades. Rigid 10K is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Castable Wax Resin, about 6.3 times as much. In exchange, Castable Wax Resin is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 2.5% for Rigid 10K, and Rigid 10K is harder (85 Shore D vs 78 Shore D). Castable Wax Resin is lighter (1.1 g/cm³ vs 1.55 g/cm³ for Rigid 10K) and Rigid 10K is stiffer (5.5 GPa vs 0.45 GPa). On the shop floor, Rigid 10K machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Rigid 10K sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Castable Wax Resin (high, $$$$).
Castable Wax ResinChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Rigid 10KChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Castable Wax Resin vs Rigid 10K: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Poisson's Ratio
Compressive Modulus
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell M
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
UV / Weathering Resistance
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Polishability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
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 | Castable Wax Resin | Rigid 10K |
|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Glass Filled |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| Conductive Coating | — | Yes |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | — | Yes |
| EMI Shielding Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Primer Coating | — | Yes |
| Soft Touch Coating | — | Yes |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| Tinted Coating | — | Yes |
| UV Coating | — | Yes |
| Vacuum Metallization | — | Yes |
| Waterproof Coating | — | Yes |
Castable Wax Resin vs Rigid 10K — frequently asked
Is Rigid 10K stronger than Castable Wax Resin?
Yes. Rigid 10K has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Castable Wax Resin — about 6.3 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Castable Wax Resin or Rigid 10K?
Rigid 10K is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Castable Wax Resin is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Castable Wax Resin or Rigid 10K?
Rigid 10K. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (25/100) for Castable Wax Resin.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Castable Wax Resin and Rigid 10K 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.