Elastic Resin vs Flexible Resin
Polymer · grade comparison
Elastic Resin and Flexible Resin are both polymer grades. Flexible Resin is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 9 MPa (1.29 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.464 ksi) for Elastic Resin, about 178% more. In exchange, Elastic Resin is the more ductile: elongation 160% versus 120% for Flexible Resin, and Flexible Resin is harder (30 Shore D vs 13 Shore D). Flexible Resin is stiffer (0.01 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, Flexible Resin sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Elastic Resin (high, $$$$).
Elastic ResinChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Flexible ResinChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Elastic Resin vs Flexible Resin: 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)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.48
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Light Transmission
Same in both: Density 1.12 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³ · Glass Transition (Tg) 5°C41 °F · Refractive Index 1.5
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)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 14 kV/mm356 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 4 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·cm
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 25 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
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)
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 1
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 | Elastic Resin | Flexible Resin |
|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Shore A 80 |
| 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 |
Elastic Resin vs Flexible Resin — frequently asked
Is Flexible Resin stronger than Elastic Resin?
Yes. Flexible Resin has a typical tensile strength of 9 MPa (1.29 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.464 ksi) for Elastic Resin — about 178% more.
Which is cheaper, Elastic Resin or Flexible Resin?
Flexible Resin is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Elastic Resin is high ($$$$). 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 Elastic Resin over Flexible Resin?
Pick Elastic Resin when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick Flexible Resin when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Elastic Resin and Flexible Resin 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.