Clear vs Flexible Resin
Polymer · grade comparison
Clear and Flexible Resin are both polymer grades. Clear is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.29 ksi) for Flexible Resin, about 7.3 times as much. In exchange, Flexible Resin is the more ductile: elongation 120% versus 6.5% for Clear, and Clear is harder (80 Shore D vs 30 Shore D). Flexible Resin is lighter (1.12 g/cm³ vs 1.19 g/cm³ for Clear) and Clear is stiffer (2.8 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, Clear machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Clear sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Flexible Resin (premium, $$$).
ClearChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Flexible ResinChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Clear vs Flexible Resin: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
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)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 85°C185 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 25 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s
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 | Clear | Flexible Resin |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Standard | Shore A 80 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| 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 Flexible Resin — frequently asked
Is Clear stronger than Flexible Resin?
Yes. Clear has a typical tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.29 ksi) for Flexible Resin — about 7.3 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Clear or Flexible Resin?
Clear is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Flexible Resin is premium ($$$). 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, Clear or Flexible Resin?
Clear. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (15/100) for Flexible Resin.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Clear 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.