FabDigitFabDigit

Dental Model Resin vs Formlabs Rigid 10K

Polymer · grade comparison

Dental Model Resin and Rigid 10K are both polymer grades. Rigid 10K is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) for Dental Model Resin, about 29% more. In exchange, Dental Model Resin is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 2.5% for Rigid 10K. Dental Model Resin is lighter (1.18 g/cm³ vs 1.55 g/cm³ for Rigid 10K) and Rigid 10K is stiffer (5.5 GPa vs 2.4 GPa). On the shop floor, Dental Model Resin machines more easily (good vs fair) and Rigid 10K sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Dental Model Resin (high, $$$$).

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

Rigid 10KChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Dental Model Resin vs Rigid 10K: properties

Dental Model ResinRigid 10K

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.4 GPa0.35 Msi
5.5 GPa0.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

58 MPa8.4 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

5%
2.5%

Compressive Strength

110 MPa16 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Flexural Strength

85 MPa12.3 ksi
125 MPa18.1 ksi

Flexural Modulus

2.3 GPa0.33 Msi
5 GPa0.73 Msi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in
0.9 MPa·√m0.82 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

20 J/m0.37 ft·lbf/in
17 J/m0.32 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

86 Shore D
85 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

90 HRM
95 HRM

Compressive Modulus

—
5 GPa0.73 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.18 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
1.55 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

78°C172 °F
105°C221 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.9%
0.5%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

2%
—

Refractive Index

1.52
—

Light Transmission

5%
—

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

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

Specific Heat Capacity

1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F
1,250 J/kg·K0.3 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

80 µm/m·K44.4 µin/in·°F
45 µm/m·K25 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

55°C131 °F
100°C212 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

68°C154 °F
130°C266 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

55°C131 °F
105°C221 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

80°C176 °F
150°C302 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

—
21%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

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

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.4
3.6

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.03

Surface Resistivity

—
1×10¹⁴ Ω

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
80 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

35 / 100
25 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

55 / 100
40 / 100

Weldability

5 / 100
3 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
3 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.35%
—

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

28°C82 °F
—

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb
115 MJ/kg49,441 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5 kg CO₂/kg
6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

—
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

49 kN·m/kg
48 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2 MN·m/kg
3.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.1 mm²/s
0.2 mm²/s

Same in both: 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 Rigid 10K

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityDental Model ResinRigid 10K
Injection molding—Yes
3D printing—Yes
Default condition—Glass Filled
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

Dental Model Resin vs Rigid 10K — frequently asked

Is Rigid 10K stronger than Dental Model Resin?

Yes. Rigid 10K has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) for Dental Model Resin — about 29% more.

Which is cheaper, Dental Model Resin or Rigid 10K?

Rigid 10K is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Dental Model Resin is high ($$$$). 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, Dental Model Resin or Rigid 10K?

Dental Model Resin. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for Rigid 10K.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Dental Model Resin and Rigid 10K 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.