Flexible Resin vs Formlabs Tough 2000
Polymer · grade comparison
Flexible Resin and Tough 2000 are both polymer grades. Tough 2000 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.29 ksi) for Flexible Resin, about 5.6 times as much. In exchange, Flexible Resin is the more ductile: elongation 120% versus 22% for Tough 2000, and Tough 2000 is harder (80 Shore D vs 30 Shore D). Tough 2000 is stiffer (2.4 GPa vs 0.01 GPa) and Flexible Resin runs hotter in service (65°C vs 50°C continuous). On the shop floor, Tough 2000 machines more easily (good vs poor) and Tough 2000 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Flexible Resin (premium, $$$).
Flexible ResinChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Tough 2000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Flexible Resin vs Tough 2000: 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
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell R
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Refractive Index
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
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
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
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 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 | Flexible Resin | Tough 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Shore A 80 | ABS-like |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both are offered for Injection molding and 3D printing. Both take the same 12 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), Conductive Coating, Dyeing (Nylon), EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Primer Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, Tinted Coating, UV Coating, Vacuum Metallization, Waterproof Coating.
Flexible Resin vs Tough 2000 — frequently asked
Is Tough 2000 stronger than Flexible Resin?
Yes. Tough 2000 has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.29 ksi) for Flexible Resin — about 5.6 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Flexible Resin or Tough 2000?
Tough 2000 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Flexible Resin is premium ($$$). 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, Flexible Resin or Tough 2000?
Tough 2000. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (15/100) for Flexible Resin.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Flexible 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.