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Elastic Resin A30

Hardness band

A30 = shore A 30

Pick for the softest silicone feel — squeeze bulbs, soft pads and skin-like models where strength is secondary.

High cost $$$$

Values for the A30 condition

Other Elastic Resin grades and fills

Elastic Resin is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Elastic Resin.

Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
A30This page
Shore A 30
Pick for the softest silicone feel — squeeze bulbs, soft pads and skin-like models where strength is secondary.—22206 Shore D
Shore A 40
Intermediate softness for seals and wearables that need more support than A30 but stay pliable.—21909 Shore D
A50Default
Shore A 50
Default silicone-like grade: best balance of softness, elongation and tear for gaskets, grips and anatomical models.—316013 Shore D
True silicone (100% silicone) printable elastomer, Shore A 40
Choose when real silicone chemistry is required — high-temperature service, low compression set, long-term elasticity rather than a silicone-like acrylate.—426040 Shore A
High-tear industrial elastomeric resin
Choose for functional seals, jigs and low-volume end-use rubber parts that must survive repeated flexing and demoulding.—720018 Shore D
Shore A 80
Use when the part must be rubbery but load-bearing — hinges, bumpers, over-molded grips, TPU-like prototypes.—912030 Shore D

What is Elastic Resin A30?

Elastic Resin A30 is Elastic Resin heat treated to A30 — pick for the softest silicone feel — squeeze bulbs, soft pads and skin-like models where strength is secondary. Elastic Resin A30 has a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.232 ksi), weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 220% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (1.74×10⁻⁴ Msi). Elastic Resin A30 has a density of 1.12 g/cm³ (0.0405 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 5°C (41 °F). A50 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A30 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 220%, better than 77% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of polymer grades
  • Low stiffness — 0 GPa (1.74×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 97% of polymer grades
  • Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
  • Limited service temperature — 55°C (131 °F), worse than 91% of polymer grades
  • High mold shrinkage — 2.4%, worse than 89% of polymer grades

Elastic Resin A30 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Elastic Resin A30; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Elastic Resin reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical6

Elastic Resin A30 has a density of 1.12 g/cm³ (0.0405 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 5°C (41 °F).

Density1.12 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)5°C41 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)1%
Water Absorption (Saturation)3%
Refractive Index1.5
Light Transmission70%

Mechanical12

Elastic Resin A30 has a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.232 ksi), weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 220% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (1.74×10⁻⁴ Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0 GPa1.74×10⁻⁴ Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.48
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2 MPa0.23 ksi
Elongation at Break220%
Compressive Strength1 MPa0.17 ksi
Compressive Modulus0 GPa4.35×10⁻⁴ Msi
Flexural Modulus0 GPa2.03×10⁻⁴ Msi
Shear Strength1 MPa0.16 ksi
Hardness, Shore A30 Shore A
Hardness, Shore D6 Shore D
Tear Strength9 kN/m51.4 lbf/in
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)9%

Thermal8

Elastic Resin A30 is rated for continuous service to 55°C (131 °F). It conducts heat at 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 190 µm/m·K (105.6 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.17 W/m·K0.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,600 J/kg·K0.38 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)190 µm/m·K106 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)55°C131 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB (not FR-rated; standard elastic photopolymers are combustible)
Limiting Oxygen Index19%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)90°C194 °F

Electrical5

Elastic Resin A30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 14 kV/mm (355.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength14 kV/mm356 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)4
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.05
Volume Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good70/100
UV / Weathering ResistancePoor25/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, dilute aqueous salts and short skin contact; swells in IPA, acetone, esters, aromatic and chlorinated solvents, fuels and hot oils; degrades with prolonged UV and hot-humid ageing.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Elastic Resin A30 takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — more than 73% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability3

Elastic Resin A30's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of polymer grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended8/100
PolishabilityPoor20/100
Mold Shrinkage2.4%

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Elastic Resin A30

Is Elastic Resin easy to machine?

Effectively unmachinable — cut only with sharp blades, cryo-trim or waterjet; drilling and milling smear and tear the soft matrix.

Can Elastic Resin be welded?

Not weldable; join with cyanoacrylate, silicone/urethane adhesives or by co-printing/over-moulding onto rigid parts.

Can Elastic Resin be formed, bent or molded?

Print with dense internal supports and thick walls (>1.5 mm), keep the resin tank warm (~30 °C) and expect noticeable cure and post-cure shrinkage; also usable as a castable soft pattern.

What surface finishes work on Elastic Resin?

Wash briefly in IPA (long soaks swell and weaken parts), fully post-cure with heat to remove tack, then dust with talc or apply a silicone-compatible coating; cannot be sanded to a gloss.

Elastic Resin chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
aliphatic urethane acrylate / methacrylasoft-segment backbone that sets elasticity40 – 7055
monofunctional acrylate reactive diluentviscosity control, chain extender20 – 5035
low-functionality crosslinker (di-acrylakept low to preserve elongation1 – 84
photoinitiator (TPO / TPO-L / BAPO)385/405 nm absorption0.5 – 31.5
UV blocker, stabilizer, pigmentcure-depth control and colour0.05 – 20.5

Elastic Resin A30 — frequently asked

What is Elastic Resin A30 used for?

Elastic Resin A30 is typically used for cushions, seals, prosthetic mockups and soft grips. In short: softest SLA elastomer range; 160% elongation; silicone-like feel.

What is the tensile strength of Elastic Resin A30?

Elastic Resin A30 has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.232 ksi) — weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is Elastic Resin A30 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of polymer grades). Effectively unmachinable — cut only with sharp blades, cryo-trim or waterjet; drilling and milling smear and tear the soft matrix.

Can Elastic Resin A30 be welded?

Not weldable; join with cyanoacrylate, silicone/urethane adhesives or by co-printing/over-moulding onto rigid parts.

What surface finishes work on Elastic Resin A30?

Wash briefly in IPA (long soaks swell and weaken parts), fully post-cure with heat to remove tack, then dust with talc or apply a silicone-compatible coating; cannot be sanded to a gloss.

Can Elastic Resin A30 be formed, bent or molded?

Print with dense internal supports and thick walls (>1.5 mm), keep the resin tank warm (~30 °C) and expect noticeable cure and post-cure shrinkage; also usable as a castable soft pattern.

What is the maximum service temperature of Elastic Resin A30?

Elastic Resin A30 is rated for continuous use to about 55°C (131 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. Elastic 50A / Flexible 80A / BioMed Elastic 50A / Silicone 40A resin data sheets — Formlabs (2024)
  2. Elastomeric and flexible photopolymer technical data sheets — Liqcreate / Siraya Tech / Henkel Loctite 3D (2024)
  3. ASTM D412 / D624 / D2240 / D395 — tensile, tear, durometer and compression set of elastomers — ASTM International (2021)
  4. Handbook of Polyurethanes / UV-curable acrylate elastomer property data — CRC Press (2011)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.