PC-Like Tough
Grade
Tough = impact-modified / high-elongation PC-like
Pick when snap-fits, clips or drop resistance matter and you can trade stiffness and HDT for elongation.
Values for the Tough condition
Other PC-Like grades and fills
PC-Like is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PC-Like.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As-printed / green state | State straight off the printer after wash — use only for visual mock-ups; strength and Tg are well below cured values and creep is severe. | 30 | 36 | 12 | 76 Shore D |
ToughThis page Impact-modified / high-elongation PC-like | Pick when snap-fits, clips or drop resistance matter and you can trade stiffness and HDT for elongation. | 38 | 46 | 32 | 79 Shore D |
FR V-0 | Use for electrical enclosures, rail/aero interior mock-ups and any part that must pass UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm. | 49 | 55 | 6 | 86 Shore D |
Opaque white/grey pigmented PC-like | Pigmented version for painted or as-printed appearance models where clarity is not needed and surfaces should hide layer lines. | 50 | 58 | 8 | 85 Shore D |
High heat-deflection PC-like | For hot-air/flow fixtures, lamp housings and mold-trial inserts needing HDT well above 100 °C; noticeably more brittle. | 66 | 4 | 87 Shore D |
What is PC-Like Tough?
PC-Like Tough is PC-Like in the Tough grade — pick when snap-fits, clips or drop resistance matter and you can trade stiffness and HDT for elongation. PC-Like Tough has a yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) — weaker than 78% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi). PC-Like Tough has a density of 1.16 g/cm³ (0.0419 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 70°C (158 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 88% of polyurethane grades
- Forms and bends easily — 35/100, better than 75% of polyurethane grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 100% of polyurethane grades
- Low strength — 38 MPa (5.51 ksi), worse than 78% of polyurethane grades
PC-Like Tough properties
Typical room-temperature values for PC-Like Tough; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PC-Like reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polyurethane grades.
Physical6
PC-Like Tough has a density of 1.16 g/cm³ (0.0419 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 70°C (158 °F).
Mechanical15
PC-Like Tough has a yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) — weaker than 78% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi).
Thermal10
PC-Like Tough 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 60% of polyurethane grades. Thermal expansion is 90 µm/m·K (50 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PC-Like Tough is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 17 kV/mm (431.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), worse than 95% of polyurethane grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PC-Like Tough takes about 115 MJ of energy and emits 5.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of polyurethane grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability4
PC-Like Tough's machinability is good (60/100, better than 52% of polyurethane grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PC-Like Tough
Is PC-Like easy to machine?
Drills, taps and mills cleanly with sharp carbide and light feed, but run dry-ish and slow — heat above Tg smears the surface and edges chip.
Can PC-Like be welded?
Not weldable; join with cyanoacrylate, two-part epoxy or by re-curing fresh resin at the joint under UV.
Can PC-Like be formed, bent or molded?
Vat photopolymerisation only — print at 25–100 µm layers, drain and wash in IPA/TPM, then UV post-cure with heat (typically 60–80 °C, 15–60 min) to reach datasheet properties; allow 0.15–0.5 % cure shrinkage and support thin walls to limit warp.
What surface finishes work on PC-Like?
Sand 400→2000 grit and either clear-coat or vapour-polish-free lacquer for optical clarity; primers and 2K automotive paint adhere well, and clear parts should get a UV-blocking topcoat to slow yellowing.
PC-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 oligomermain network former, gives PC-like stiffness/toughness balance | 30 – 60 | 45 |
| epoxy/oxetane cationic resinpresent in hybrid free-radical/cationic SLA formulations | 0 – 25 | 10 |
| photoinitiator405 nm or 355 nm sensitised | 1 – 4 | 2.5 |
| additives (UV absorber, pigment, stabilivariant dependent; FR grades add phosphorus/mineral flame retardant | 0.5 – 6 | 3 |
| acrylate/methacrylate reactive diluent mviscosity control and crosslink density | ≥ 25 (balance) |
PC-Like Tough — frequently asked
What is PC-Like Tough used for?
PC-Like Tough is typically used for impact guards, functional housings, clear lamp covers and light guides, assembly and fit verification parts, small-batch functional prototypes and machine guards and windows. In short: highest impact of the rigid PUs; PC-like stiffness.
What is the yield strength of PC-Like Tough?
PC-Like Tough has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) — weaker than 78% of polyurethane grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PC-Like Tough easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 52% of polyurethane grades). Drills, taps and mills cleanly with sharp carbide and light feed, but run dry-ish and slow — heat above Tg smears the surface and edges chip.
Can PC-Like Tough be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not weldable; join with cyanoacrylate, two-part epoxy or by re-curing fresh resin at the joint under UV.
What surface finishes work on PC-Like Tough?
Sand 400→2000 grit and either clear-coat or vapour-polish-free lacquer for optical clarity; primers and 2K automotive paint adhere well, and clear parts should get a UV-blocking topcoat to slow yellowing.
Can PC-Like Tough be formed, bent or molded?
Vat photopolymerisation only — print at 25–100 µm layers, drain and wash in IPA/TPM, then UV post-cure with heat (typically 60–80 °C, 15–60 min) to reach datasheet properties; allow 0.15–0.5 % cure shrinkage and support thin walls to limit warp.
What is the maximum service temperature of PC-Like Tough?
PC-Like Tough is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PC-Like Tough?
Yes — PC-Like Tough is available for urethane casting with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Accura 60 (PC-like SLA material) technical data — 3D Systems (2022)
- Somos WaterShed XC 11122 / Somos EvoLVe 128 data sheets — Covestro (DSM Somos) (2021)
- Clear / Tough / High Temp resin data sheets — Formlabs (2023)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D256 / D648 test methods for plastics — ASTM International (2022)
- ISO 527, ISO 75, UL 94 — ISO / UL (2020)
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.