Castable Wax Resin vs Formlabs Tough 2000
Polymer · grade comparison
Castable Wax Resin and Tough 2000 are both polymer grades. Tough 2000 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Castable Wax Resin, about 4.2 times as much. Tough 2000 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 5% for Castable Wax Resin. Castable Wax Resin is lighter (1.1 g/cm³ vs 1.15 g/cm³ for Tough 2000) and Tough 2000 is stiffer (2.4 GPa vs 0.45 GPa). On the shop floor, Tough 2000 machines more easily (good vs poor) and Tough 2000 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Castable Wax Resin (high, $$$$).
Castable Wax ResinChoose it when weight is the constraint.
Tough 2000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Castable Wax Resin vs Tough 2000: 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
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Modulus
Hardness, Rockwell R
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
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)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · 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 | Tough 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | ABS-like |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| 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 Tough 2000 — frequently asked
Is Tough 2000 stronger than Castable Wax Resin?
Yes. Tough 2000 has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Castable Wax Resin — about 4.2 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Castable Wax Resin or Tough 2000?
Tough 2000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard 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 Tough 2000?
Tough 2000. Its machinability rates good (55/100) 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 Tough 2000 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.