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Clear vs Durable Resin

Polymer · grade comparison

Clear and Durable Resin are both polymer grades. Clear is the stronger of the two: yield strength 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for Durable Resin, about 136% more; tensile strength follows at 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 28 MPa (4.06 ksi). In exchange, Durable Resin is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 6.5% for Clear, and Clear is harder (80 Shore D vs 70 Shore D). Durable Resin is lighter (1.12 g/cm³ vs 1.19 g/cm³ for Clear) and Clear is stiffer (2.8 GPa vs 1 GPa). On the shop floor, Durable Resin machines more easily (good vs fair).

ClearChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

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

Clear vs Durable Resin: properties

ClearDurable Resin

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.8 GPa0.41 Msi
1 GPa0.15 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

65 MPa9.4 ksi
28 MPa4.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
22 MPa3.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

6.5%
55%

Compressive Strength

80 MPa11.6 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Compressive Modulus

2.6 GPa0.38 Msi
—

Flexural Strength

87 MPa12.6 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

2.2 GPa0.32 Msi
0.7 GPa0.1 Msi

Shear Strength

40 MPa5.8 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

0.9 MPa·√m0.82 ksi·√in
—

Izod Impact, Notched

25 J/m0.47 ft·lbf/in
108 J/m2 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

80 Shore D
70 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

88 HRM
—

Hardness, Rockwell R

—
85 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.19 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
1.12 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

65°C149 °F
45°C113 °F

Refractive Index

1.52
1.51

Light Transmission

88%
—

Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.6% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 1.6%

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

1,450 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F
1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

110 µm/m·K61.1 µin/in·°F
130 µm/m·K72.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

55°C131 °F
40°C104 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

73°C163 °F
43°C109 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

58°C136 °F
33°C91 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

68°C154 °F
—

Limiting Oxygen Index

19%
—

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

85°C185 °F
—

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm381 V/mil
16 kV/mm406 V/mil

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.03
—

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.2 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
80 / 100

Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 25 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
15 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 5 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

55 kN·m/kg
25 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.4 MN·m/kg
0.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

483 kJ/m³
242 kJ/m³

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.

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

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityClearDurable Resin
Default conditionStandardStandard
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ 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.

Clear vs Durable Resin — frequently asked

Is Clear stronger than Durable Resin?

Yes. Clear has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for Durable Resin — about 136% more. Tensile strength is 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 28 MPa (4.06 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Clear or Durable Resin?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, Clear or Durable Resin?

Durable Resin. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for Clear.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Clear and Durable 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.