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Ceramic-Filled Resin vs Flexible Resin

Polymer · grade comparison

Ceramic-Filled Resin and Flexible Resin are both polymer grades. Ceramic-Filled Resin is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 69 MPa (10 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.29 ksi) for Flexible Resin, about 7.8 times as much. In exchange, Flexible Resin is the more ductile: elongation 120% versus 5% for Ceramic-Filled Resin, and Ceramic-Filled Resin is harder (85 Shore D vs 30 Shore D). Flexible Resin is lighter (1.12 g/cm³ vs 1.6 g/cm³ for Ceramic-Filled Resin) and Ceramic-Filled Resin is stiffer (4.1 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, Ceramic-Filled Resin machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Flexible Resin sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Ceramic-Filled Resin (high, $$$$).

Ceramic-Filled ResinChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Flexible ResinChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Ceramic-Filled Resin vs Flexible Resin: properties

Ceramic-Filled ResinFlexible Resin

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

4.1 GPa0.59 Msi
0.01 GPa0 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.48

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

69 MPa10 ksi
9 MPa1.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

5%
120%

Compressive Strength

110 MPa16 ksi
5 MPa0.65 ksi

Compressive Modulus

4 GPa0.58 Msi
0.01 GPa0 Msi

Flexural Strength

135 MPa19.6 ksi
—

Flexural Modulus

3.7 GPa0.54 Msi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in
—

Izod Impact, Notched

22 J/m0.41 ft·lbf/in
—

Hardness, Shore D

85 Shore D
30 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

92 HRM
—

Shear Strength

—
6 MPa0.87 ksi

Hardness, Shore A

—
80 Shore A

Tear Strength

—
24 kN/m137 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

—
4%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.6 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
1.12 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

90°C194 °F
5°C41 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.4%
1.2%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1.2%
—

Refractive Index

—
1.5

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.3 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F
1,650 J/kg·K0.39 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

60 µm/m·K33.3 µin/in·°F
180 µm/m·K100 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

80°C176 °F
65°C149 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

88°C190 °F
60°C140 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

65°C149 °F
—

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

110°C230 °F
85°C185 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

—
19%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

17 kV/mm432 V/mil
14 kV/mm356 V/mil

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.03
—

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Same in both: Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 4

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
70 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

30 / 100
25 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

48 / 100
15 / 100

Weldability

5 / 100
—

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
—

Polishability

55 / 100
25 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.35%
1.5%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

—
30°C86 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
115 MJ/kg49,441 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

210 L/kg25.2 gal/lb
—

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

43 kN·m/kg
8 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.6 MN·m/kg
0 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.2 mm²/s
0.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

0
1

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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleFlexible Resin

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCeramic-Filled ResinFlexible Resin
Injection molding—Yes
3D printing—Yes
Default condition—Shore A 80
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

Ceramic-Filled Resin vs Flexible Resin — frequently asked

Is Ceramic-Filled Resin stronger than Flexible Resin?

Yes. Ceramic-Filled Resin has a typical tensile strength of 69 MPa (10 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.29 ksi) for Flexible Resin — about 7.8 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Ceramic-Filled Resin or Flexible Resin?

Flexible Resin is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Ceramic-Filled Resin is high ($$$$). 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, Ceramic-Filled Resin or Flexible Resin?

Ceramic-Filled Resin. Its machinability rates fair (48/100) against poor (15/100) for Flexible Resin.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ceramic-Filled Resin and Flexible 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.