Dental Resin vs Silicone
Polymer · grade comparison
Dental Resin and Silicone are both polymer grades, both medical plastic. Dental Resin is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for Silicone, about 6.9 times as much. In exchange, Silicone is the more ductile: elongation 500% versus 6% for Dental Resin. Dental Resin is stiffer (2.2 GPa vs 0 GPa) and Silicone runs hotter in service (200°C vs 70°C continuous). On the shop floor, Dental Resin machines more easily (good vs poor), Silicone welds better (poor vs not recommended), and Silicone sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Dental Resin (high, $$$$).
Dental ResinChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
SiliconeChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Dental Resin vs Silicone: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk 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.
Thermal Conductivity
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
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ 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
Mold Shrinkage
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb · 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 | Dental Resin | Silicone |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Standard | Medical Grade |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
Both are offered for Injection molding. They share 5 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), EMI Shielding Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, UV Coating.
Dental Resin vs Silicone — frequently asked
Is Dental Resin stronger than Silicone?
Yes. Dental Resin has a typical tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for Silicone — about 6.9 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Dental Resin or Silicone?
Silicone is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Dental Resin is high ($$$$). 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 Resin or Silicone?
Dental Resin. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against poor (20/100) for Silicone; for welding the order is Silicone first (poor, 20/100) then Dental Resin (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Dental Resin and Silicone 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.