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ESD-Safe Resin vs Formlabs Tough 2000

Polymer · grade comparison

ESD-Safe Resin and Tough 2000 are both polymer grades. Tough 2000 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 6% for ESD-Safe Resin. ESD-Safe Resin runs hotter in service (60°C vs 50°C continuous). On the shop floor, Tough 2000 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than ESD-Safe Resin (high, $$$$).

ESD-Safe ResinChoose it when the part sees heat.

Tough 2000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

ESD-Safe Resin vs Tough 2000: properties

ESD-Safe ResinTough 2000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.39

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
22%

Compressive Strength

78 MPa11.3 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Flexural Strength

78 MPa11.3 ksi
68 MPa9.9 ksi

Flexural Modulus

2.2 GPa0.32 Msi
1.9 GPa0.28 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

22 J/m0.41 ft·lbf/in
38 J/m0.71 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

82 Shore D
80 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

85 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

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

Glass Transition (Tg)

68°C154 °F
58°C136 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.5%
0.8%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1.6%
1.8%

Refractive Index

—
1.51

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.22 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,450 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F
1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F

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)

60°C140 °F
50°C122 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

70°C158 °F
49°C120 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

55°C131 °F
42°C108 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

20%
19%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

90°C194 °F
70°C158 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1,000,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹³ µΩ·in
1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

1×10⁸ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10⁸ Ω
1×10¹⁴ Ω

Dielectric Strength

—
15 kV/mm381 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
3.4

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.03

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
55 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

45 / 100
30 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Polishability

40 / 100
65 / 100

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

30°C86 °F
—

Formability (cold)

—
10 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

—
260 L/kg31.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 115 MJ/kg49,441 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

44 kN·m/kg
43 kN·m/kg

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 2.1 MN·m/kg · 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

CapabilityESD-Safe 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

ESD-Safe Resin vs Tough 2000 — frequently asked

What is the difference between ESD-Safe Resin and Tough 2000?

ESD-Safe Resin and Tough 2000 are both polymer grades. Tough 2000 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 6% for ESD-Safe Resin. ESD-Safe Resin runs hotter in service (60°C vs 50°C continuous).

Which is cheaper, ESD-Safe Resin or Tough 2000?

Tough 2000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while ESD-Safe Resin is high ($$$$). 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 ESD-Safe Resin over Tough 2000?

Pick ESD-Safe Resin 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 ESD-Safe 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.