Clear vs Formlabs High Temp
Polymer · grade comparison
Clear and High Temp are both polymer grades. Clear is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for High Temp, about 30% more. Clear is the more ductile: elongation 6.5% versus 2.8% for High Temp, and High Temp is harder (88 Shore D vs 80 Shore D). High Temp is stiffer (3.5 GPa vs 2.8 GPa) and High Temp runs hotter in service (150°C vs 55°C continuous). On the shop floor, High Temp machines more easily (good vs fair) and Clear sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than High Temp (premium, $$$).
ClearChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
High TempChoose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
Clear vs High Temp: 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)
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
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.38
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Density 1.19 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³ · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.6%
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)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb · 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)
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 | Clear | High Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Standard | Standard |
| 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 High Temp — frequently asked
Is Clear stronger than High Temp?
Yes. Clear has a typical tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for High Temp — about 30% more.
Which is cheaper, Clear or High Temp?
Clear is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while High Temp is premium ($$$). 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 High Temp?
High Temp. 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 High Temp 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.