TangoBlackPlus
also FLX980
TangoBlackPlus (FLX980) is a legacy soft, opaque black rubber-simulating PolyJet photopolymer, commonly run as digital-material blends (FLX9840-DM through FLX9895-DM) with rigid resins to reach intermediate hardness, in glossy or matte mode.
Reference datasheet — TangoBlackPlus is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the FLX980 condition
TangoBlackPlus grades and fills
TangoBlackPlus is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. FLX980 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLX980Default Neat TangoBlackPlus, softest black rubber-like grade | Pick when the softest, most stretchable opaque black PolyJet elastomer feel is required (grips, gaskets, boots). | 1 | 195 | 27 Shore A | |
Glossy print mode | Use for cosmetic soft-touch surfaces where a smooth, slightly tacky black gloss finish is wanted. | 1 | 200 | 28 Shore A | |
Digital material blend, Shore A 40 | Blend of FLX980 with rigid Vero resin when a slightly firmer, dimensionally steadier soft part is needed. | 2 | 120 | 8 Shore D | |
Digital material blend, Shore A 50 | Mid-soft blend for seals and over-mould simulations that must hold shape under light load. | 2 | 90 | 11 Shore D | |
Digital material blend, Shore A 60 | Typical TPE-substitute hardness for buttons, bumpers and grip inserts. | 3 | 65 | 15 Shore D | |
Digital material blend, Shore A 70 | Firm rubber feel with better tear resistance; good for hinges and thin living-flex features. | 4 | 50 | 21 Shore D | |
Digital material blend, Shore A 85 | Hard elastomer blend for shoe soles, wheels and stiff sealing lips. | 6 | 40 | 32 Shore D | |
Digital material blend, Shore A 95 | Hardest rubber-like blend, close to rigid plastic; choose for semi-flexible housings and clips. | 9 | 30 | 45 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TangoBlackPlus is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MATTE | Matte print mode | Surface finish |
What is TangoBlackPlus?
TangoBlackPlus (FLX980) is a legacy soft, opaque black rubber-simulating PolyJet photopolymer, commonly run as digital-material blends (FLX9840-DM through FLX9895-DM) with rigid resins to reach intermediate hardness, in glossy or matte mode. It is used for soft-touch overmoulds and gasket-appearance prototypes where feel and geometry matter more than mechanical life; default values are density 1.125 g/cm³, 1.1 MPa tensile strength and 195% elongation. Strength and tear resistance are low, the surface stays tacky and does not accept paint, and UV exposure hardens and yellows the part. Agilus30 has largely superseded it for new work. TangoBlackPlus has a density of 1.13 g/cm³ (0.0406 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 0°C (32 °F). TangoBlackPlus has a tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.16 ksi), weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 195% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (2.18×10⁻⁴ Msi).
What is TangoBlackPlus used for?
- soft-touch overmolds
- rubber gasket prototypes
- handle grips
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 195%, better than 75% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 10/100, worse than 100% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0 GPa (2.18×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 94% of polymer grades
TangoBlackPlus properties
Typical room-temperature values for TangoBlackPlus-FLX980; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical2
TangoBlackPlus has a density of 1.13 g/cm³ (0.0406 lb/in³), lighter than 63% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 0°C (32 °F).
Mechanical7
TangoBlackPlus has a tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.16 ksi), weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 195% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (2.18×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal3
TangoBlackPlus is rated for continuous service to 50°C (122 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades.
Electrical1
TangoBlackPlus has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 94% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Manufacturability4
TangoBlackPlus's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 100% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations2
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. TangoBlackPlus is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TangoBlackPlus
Is TangoBlackPlus easy to machine?
Not machinable in any normal sense — trim flash with a fresh blade or scissors; the soft tacky surface tears and clogs abrasives.
Can TangoBlackPlus be welded?
Cannot be welded; join by adhesive bonding with cyanoacrylate or silicone-compatible flexible adhesive, or print as one piece.
Can TangoBlackPlus be formed, bent or molded?
Jetted and UV-cured layer by layer at 16–32 µm; requires SUP705/SUP706 support in matte mode, keep walls ≥1 mm to avoid tearing during support removal.
TangoBlackPlus 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| urethane acrylate oligomerflexible backbone giving rubber-like elongation | 30 – 60 | 45 |
| acrylate/methacrylate monomersreactive diluents controlling viscosity and crosslink density | 20 – 40 | 30 |
| acrylic oligomer / crosslinker | 5 – 20 | 12 |
| photoinitiatorUV free-radical initiator package | 0.5 – 3 | 2 |
| carbon black / black pigmentgives the opaque black colour | 0.1 – 2 | 0.5 |
| additives (stabilizers, surfactants) | balance |
What surface finishes work on TangoBlackPlus?
Support removed by waterjet or NaOH bath; do not bead-blast. Surface cannot be polished or painted reliably — gloss/matte is decided at print time, and prolonged UV exposure hardens and yellows the part.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TangoBlackPlus in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- FLX980
How much does TangoBlackPlus cost?
TangoBlackPlus is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TangoBlackPlus — frequently asked
What is TangoBlackPlus used for?
TangoBlackPlus is typically used for soft-touch overmolds, rubber gasket prototypes and handle grips. In short: legacy soft rubber simulant; superseded by Agilus30; digital-material hardness blends.
What is the tensile strength of TangoBlackPlus?
TangoBlackPlus has a typical tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.16 ksi) — weaker than 85% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is TangoBlackPlus easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, worse than 100% of polymer grades). Not machinable in any normal sense — trim flash with a fresh blade or scissors; the soft tacky surface tears and clogs abrasives.
Can TangoBlackPlus be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Cannot be welded; join by adhesive bonding with cyanoacrylate or silicone-compatible flexible adhesive, or print as one piece.
What surface finishes work on TangoBlackPlus?
Support removed by waterjet or NaOH bath; do not bead-blast. Surface cannot be polished or painted reliably — gloss/matte is decided at print time, and prolonged UV exposure hardens and yellows the part.
Can TangoBlackPlus be formed, bent or molded?
Jetted and UV-cured layer by layer at 16–32 µm; requires SUP705/SUP706 support in matte mode, keep walls ≥1 mm to avoid tearing during support removal.
What is the maximum service temperature of TangoBlackPlus?
TangoBlackPlus is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does TangoBlackPlus cost?
TangoBlackPlus is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- PolyJet Rubber-like (Tango) Materials Data Sheet — TangoPlus/TangoBlackPlus FLX930/FLX980 — Stratasys (2019)
- PolyJet Digital Materials Data Sheet (FLX9840–FLX9895-DM Shore A 40–95) — Stratasys (2019)
- Safety Data Sheet — FLX980 Rubber-like Black — Stratasys (2018)
- Additive Manufacturing Technologies (material jetting photopolymer properties) — Springer / Gibson, Rosen & Stucker (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.