Clear vs Formlabs Tough 2000
Polymer · grade comparison
Clear and Tough 2000 are both polymer grades. Clear is the stronger of the two: yield strength 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) against 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) for Tough 2000, about 18% more; tensile strength follows at 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi). In exchange, Tough 2000 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 6.5% for Clear. Tough 2000 is lighter (1.15 g/cm³ vs 1.19 g/cm³ for Clear) and Clear is stiffer (2.8 GPa vs 2.4 GPa). On the shop floor, Tough 2000 machines more easily (good vs fair).
ClearChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Tough 2000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Clear 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
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, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Hardness, Shore D 80 Shore D
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 110 µm/m·K61.1 µin/in·°F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 15 kV/mm381 V/mil · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.03 · 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
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 5 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
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 | Tough 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Standard | ABS-like |
| 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 Tough 2000 — frequently asked
Is Clear stronger than Tough 2000?
Yes. Clear has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) against 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) for Tough 2000 — about 18% more. Tensile strength is 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Clear or Tough 2000?
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 Tough 2000?
Tough 2000. 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 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.