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Dental Model Resin vs Formlabs Tough 2000

Polymer · grade comparison

Dental Model Resin and Tough 2000 are both polymer grades. Dental Model Resin is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for Tough 2000, about 16% more. In exchange, Tough 2000 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 5% for Dental Model Resin, and Dental Model Resin is harder (86 Shore D vs 80 Shore D). Dental Model Resin runs hotter in service (55°C vs 50°C continuous). On the shop floor, Tough 2000 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Dental Model Resin (high, $$$$).

Dental Model ResinChoose 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 cost is the deciding factor.

Dental Model Resin vs Tough 2000: properties

Dental Model ResinTough 2000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.39

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

58 MPa8.4 ksi
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

5%
22%

Compressive Strength

110 MPa16 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Flexural Strength

85 MPa12.3 ksi
68 MPa9.9 ksi

Flexural Modulus

2.3 GPa0.33 Msi
1.9 GPa0.28 Msi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in
—

Izod Impact, Notched

20 J/m0.37 ft·lbf/in
38 J/m0.71 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

86 Shore D
80 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

90 HRM
—

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
44 MPa6.4 ksi

Compressive Modulus

—
2.1 GPa0.3 Msi

Hardness, Rockwell R

—
103 HRR

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 2.4 GPa0.35 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.18 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
1.15 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

78°C172 °F
58°C136 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.9%
0.8%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

2%
1.8%

Refractive Index

1.52
1.51

Light Transmission

5%
—

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

80 µm/m·K44.4 µin/in·°F
110 µm/m·K61.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

55°C131 °F
50°C122 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

68°C154 °F
49°C120 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

55°C131 °F
42°C108 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

80°C176 °F
70°C158 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

—
19%

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

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

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.03

Surface Resistivity

—
1×10¹⁴ Ω

Same in both: Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.4

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
55 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

35 / 100
30 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
10 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.35%
—

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

28°C82 °F
—

Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100 · Weldability 5 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100

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

—
260 L/kg31.2 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
43 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2 MN·m/kg
2.1 MN·m/kg

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 Tough 2000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityDental Model ResinTough 2000
Injection molding—Yes
3D printing—Yes
Default condition—ABS-like
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ Standard
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 Tough 2000 — frequently asked

Is Dental Model Resin stronger than Tough 2000?

Yes. Dental Model Resin has a typical tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for Tough 2000 — about 16% more.

Which is cheaper, Dental Model Resin or Tough 2000?

Tough 2000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard 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.

When should I choose Dental Model Resin over Tough 2000?

Pick Dental Model Resin when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat. Pick Tough 2000 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Ready to make it?

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