Fire-Retardant Resin vs Formlabs Rigid 10K
Polymer · grade comparison
Fire-Retardant Resin and Rigid 10K are both polymer grades. Rigid 10K is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for Fire-Retardant Resin, about 25% more. In exchange, Fire-Retardant Resin is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 2.5% for Rigid 10K. Fire-Retardant Resin is lighter (1.32 g/cm³ vs 1.55 g/cm³ for Rigid 10K) and Rigid 10K is stiffer (5.5 GPa vs 3.3 GPa). On the shop floor, Rigid 10K sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Fire-Retardant Resin (high, $$$$).
Fire-Retardant 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 cost is the deciding factor.
Fire-Retardant Resin vs Rigid 10K: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Hardness, Shore D 85 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.6 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.03 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω
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)
Same in both: Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Fire-Retardant Resin | Rigid 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 |
Fire-Retardant Resin vs Rigid 10K — frequently asked
Is Rigid 10K stronger than Fire-Retardant Resin?
Yes. Rigid 10K has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for Fire-Retardant Resin — about 25% more.
Which is cheaper, Fire-Retardant Resin or Rigid 10K?
Rigid 10K is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Fire-Retardant Resin is high ($$$$). 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, Fire-Retardant Resin or Rigid 10K?
Fire-Retardant Resin, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for Rigid 10K.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Fire-Retardant 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.