Clear Rubber-Like
Clear Rubber-Like is the transparent version of the rubber-like flexible urethane/photopolymer system, available from Shore A 30 to Shore A 90.
Values for the Shore A 60 condition
Clear Rubber-Like grades and fills
Clear Rubber-Like is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. Shore A 60 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very soft, high-elongation clear rubber-like | Pick for soft-touch skins, squeezable bulbs and low-force sealing lips where maximum stretch matters. | 3 | 250 | 5 Shore D | |
Soft clear rubber-like | Use for flexible bellows, soft grips and gaskets that must conform to rough mating faces. | 3 | 220 | 7 Shore D | |
Medium-soft clear rubber-like | General-purpose stretchy grade for handles, straps, wearables and prototype seals. | 4 | 200 | 10 Shore D | |
Shore A 60Default Standard clear rubber-like | Default balance of grip, resilience and tear strength for most rubber-like prototype parts. | 5 | 180 | 14 Shore D | |
Firm clear rubber-like | Choose when the part must hold shape under load — bumpers, wheels, press-fit seals. | 7 | 150 | 20 Shore D | |
Hard clear rubber-like | For living hinges, tough over-mould shells and load-bearing pads needing high tear strength. | 9 | 120 | 28 Shore D | |
Semi-rigid clear rubber-like | The stiffest rubber-like grade; use for snap features, tough housings and parts near a rigid TPU feel. | 13 | 90 | 38 Shore D |
What is Clear Rubber-Like?
Clear Rubber-Like is the transparent version of the rubber-like flexible urethane/photopolymer system, available from Shore A 30 to Shore A 90. It is used where a soft part also has to transmit light, and is produced by urethane casting into silicone tooling or by vat photopolymerization (SLA/DLP). Properties are modest — 5 MPa tensile, 180 % elongation, 6 MPa (0.006 GPa) modulus and a 65 °C service ceiling — and the material yellows on UV exposure, so it suits visual prototypes and short runs rather than production sealing. Where clarity is not required, the opaque Rubber-Like grade offers 16 MPa tensile and 520 % elongation. Clear Rubber-Like has a density of 1.13 g/cm³ (0.0408 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -15°C (5 °F). Clear Rubber-Like has a tensile strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi), weaker than 95% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 180% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi).
What is Clear Rubber-Like used for?
- Clear seals
- wearables
- light diffusers
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 91% of polyurethane grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 180%, better than 81% of polyurethane grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 100% of polyurethane grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1.2%, worse than 95% of polyurethane grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 90% of polyurethane grades
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 86% of polyurethane grades
- High mold shrinkage — 0.6%, worse than 75% of polyurethane grades
Clear Rubber-Like properties
Typical room-temperature values for Clear Rubber-Like-Shore A 60; bars are the position among polyurethane grades.
Physical6
Clear Rubber-Like has a density of 1.13 g/cm³ (0.0408 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -15°C (5 °F).
Mechanical9
Clear Rubber-Like has a tensile strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi), weaker than 95% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 180% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal8
Clear Rubber-Like is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 60% of polyurethane grades. Thermal expansion is 180 µm/m·K (100 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
Clear Rubber-Like is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 89% of polyurethane grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Clear Rubber-Like takes about 115 MJ of energy and emits 5.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of polyurethane grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability5
Clear Rubber-Like's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 100% of polyurethane grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Common Calculations4
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 polyurethane family
Yield strength against density for every polyurethane grade FabDigit runs. Clear Rubber-Like is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Clear Rubber-Like
Is Clear Rubber-Like easy to machine?
Essentially unmachinable by conventional tools — trim with sharp blades, die cutting or waterjet; freeze or fixture in wax for any milling.
Can Clear Rubber-Like be welded?
Thermoset — cannot be heat welded; join by cyanoacrylate, UV-cure acrylate adhesive or by printing/casting as one piece.
Can Clear Rubber-Like be formed, bent or molded?
Vat photopolymerization (SLA/DLP/PolyJet) with heavy support on overhangs; thin walls ≥1 mm, allow 0.3–1 % cure shrinkage and post-cure fully to reach quoted Shore and tear values.
Clear Rubber-Like 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 |
|---|---|---|
| aliphatic urethane-acrylate oligomerflexible soft-segment backbone; ratio sets Shore hardness | 45 – 70 | 60 |
| monofunctional/difunctional acrylate dilviscosity control and crosslink density | 25 – 45 | 35 |
| photoinitiator (acyl phosphine oxide typ385/405 nm cure | 0.5 – 3 | 2 |
| stabilizers / UV absorber / optical brigshelf life and clarity | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
What surface finishes work on Clear Rubber-Like?
Clarity comes from a sprayed clear urethane or dip coat rather than sanding; keep parts out of sunlight and store dark to slow yellowing.
How much does Clear Rubber-Like cost?
Clear Rubber-Like is a standard-cost polyurethane ($$), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Clear Rubber-Like — frequently asked
What is Clear Rubber-Like used for?
Clear Rubber-Like is typically used for clear seals, wearables and light diffusers. In short: transparent flexible PU.
What is the tensile strength of Clear Rubber-Like?
Clear Rubber-Like has a typical tensile strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) — weaker than 95% of polyurethane grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Clear Rubber-Like easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 100% of polyurethane grades). Essentially unmachinable by conventional tools — trim with sharp blades, die cutting or waterjet; freeze or fixture in wax for any milling.
Can Clear Rubber-Like be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Thermoset — cannot be heat welded; join by cyanoacrylate, UV-cure acrylate adhesive or by printing/casting as one piece.
What surface finishes work on Clear Rubber-Like?
Clarity comes from a sprayed clear urethane or dip coat rather than sanding; keep parts out of sunlight and store dark to slow yellowing.
Can Clear Rubber-Like be formed, bent or molded?
Vat photopolymerization (SLA/DLP/PolyJet) with heavy support on overhangs; thin walls ≥1 mm, allow 0.3–1 % cure shrinkage and post-cure fully to reach quoted Shore and tear values.
What is the maximum service temperature of Clear Rubber-Like?
Clear Rubber-Like is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Clear Rubber-Like cost?
Clear Rubber-Like is a standard-cost polyurethane ($$), cheaper than about 82% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Clear Rubber-Like?
Yes — Clear Rubber-Like is available for urethane casting with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Elastic 50A / Flexible 80A photopolymer resin data — Formlabs (2023)
- Agilus30 and Tango family rubber-like PolyJet materials — Stratasys (2023)
- ASTM D412 / D624 / D395 / D2240 (elastomer tensile, tear, compression set, durometer) — ASTM (2021)
- Polyurethane Handbook (property ranges for cast/UV-cured urethane elastomers) — Hanser (1994)
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.