PP-Like
PP-Like is a urethane-acrylate photopolymer for vat printing whose cured stiffness of 1.3 GPa, 40 % elongation and milky appearance imitate injection-moulded polypropylene.
PP-Like grades and fills
PP-Like is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-elongation / durable PP-like | Pick when living hinges, repeated snap engagement or drop survival matter more than stiffness. | 24 | 30 | 85 | 72 Shore D |
Industrial 355 nm SLA polypropylene-like resin | Vat resins for large-frame laser SLA machines (Somos/Accura PP-like class) when part size and accuracy dominate. | 27 | 32 | 55 | 76 Shore D |
Plant-based / low-odor PP-like | Soy/plant-oil-modified urethane acrylate for low odor and easier handling in offices and classrooms. | 28 | 33 | 45 | 75 Shore D |
Static-dissipative PP-like | For jigs, trays and fixtures handling electronics where surface charge must be bled off. | 30 | 34 | 25 | 80 Shore D |
Heat-resistant / high-HDT PP-like | Choose when parts see hot air, lamps or short thermal cycles above 60 °C; stiffer and less ductile. | 48 | 12 | 84 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PP-Like is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MED | Biocompatible / skin-contact certified PP-like | Certification |
Clear | Translucent / clear PP-like | Grade option |
STDDefault | Standard white PP-like, 405 nm LCD/DLP | Standard supply |
What is PP-Like?
PP-Like is a urethane-acrylate photopolymer for vat printing whose cured stiffness of 1.3 GPa, 40 % elongation and milky appearance imitate injection-moulded polypropylene. It is chosen for snap-fits, hinged enclosures and living hinges where standard rigid resins crack, at 36 MPa tensile strength and Shore D 78. As a thermoset it cannot be melt-welded or recycled, and heat resistance is limited (HDT about 50–60 °C, 50 °C maximum service). Bare parts yellow and embrittle under long UV or damp-heat exposure, so add a UV-blocking topcoat for outdoor use. PP-Like has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0415 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 55°C (131 °F). PP-Like has a yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) — weaker than 89% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 1.3 GPa (0.189 Msi).
What is PP-Like used for?
- Snap-fit parts
- Hinged enclosures
- Living-hinge test parts
- Thin-wall containers and caps
- Cable clips and retainers
- Fit-and-function assembly checks
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 100% of polyurethane grades
- High embodied carbon — 6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of polyurethane grades
- Low strength — 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), worse than 89% of polyurethane grades
PP-Like properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polyurethane grades.
Physical5
PP-Like has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0415 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 55°C (131 °F).
Mechanical17
PP-Like has a yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) — weaker than 89% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 1.3 GPa (0.189 Msi).
Thermal10
PP-Like 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 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PP-Like 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 very good (78/100), better than 71% of polyurethane grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PP-Like takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of polyurethane grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability4
PP-Like's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polyurethane grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Common Calculations5
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. PP-Like is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PP-Like
Is PP-Like easy to machine?
Drills and mills cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools and light cuts; avoid heat build-up above ~50 °C which softens and smears the part.
Can PP-Like be welded?
Thermoset — cannot be heat welded; join with cyanoacrylate, epoxy or fresh resin cured under a 405 nm lamp.
Can PP-Like be formed, bent or molded?
Printed only by vat photopolymerization; keep exposure and layer settings tuned, then wash briefly in IPA and post-cure warm (50–60 °C) to reach rated toughness without over-embrittling.
PP-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 oligomerbackbone giving PP-like toughness | 35 – 60 | 48 |
| monofunctional acrylate monomer (IBOA/EOviscosity control, flexibility | 15 – 35 | 25 |
| difunctional acrylate crosslinker (HDDA/crosslink density / stiffness | 8 – 25 | 15 |
| photoinitiator (TPO / TPO-L / BAPO)405 nm or 355 nm sensitized | 1 – 4 | 2.5 |
| TiO2 pigment / opacifierwhite PP-look grades | 0 – 4 | 1.5 |
| additives (dispersant, defoamer, UV blocbalance to 100 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on PP-Like?
Sands and primes well; use filler primer plus 2K clear or paint, and always add a UV-blocking topcoat because bare parts yellow and embrittle in sunlight.
How much does PP-Like cost?
PP-Like is a budget-cost polyurethane ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PP-Like — frequently asked
What is PP-Like used for?
PP-Like is typically used for snap-fit parts, hinged enclosures, living-hinge test parts, thin-wall containers and caps, cable clips and retainers and fit-and-function assembly checks. In short: semi-flexible; survives living hinges like molded PP.
What is the yield strength of PP-Like?
PP-Like has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) — weaker than 89% of polyurethane grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PP-Like easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polyurethane grades). Drills and mills cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools and light cuts; avoid heat build-up above ~50 °C which softens and smears the part.
Can PP-Like be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Thermoset — cannot be heat welded; join with cyanoacrylate, epoxy or fresh resin cured under a 405 nm lamp.
What surface finishes work on PP-Like?
Sands and primes well; use filler primer plus 2K clear or paint, and always add a UV-blocking topcoat because bare parts yellow and embrittle in sunlight.
Can PP-Like be formed, bent or molded?
Printed only by vat photopolymerization; keep exposure and layer settings tuned, then wash briefly in IPA and post-cure warm (50–60 °C) to reach rated toughness without over-embrittling.
What is the maximum service temperature of PP-Like?
PP-Like is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F), and briefly to 70°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PP-Like cost?
PP-Like is a budget-cost polyurethane ($), cheaper than about 99% 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 PP-Like?
Yes — PP-Like is available for urethane casting with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Durable / Tough photopolymer resin technical data sheets — Formlabs (2024)
- Somos polypropylene-like SLA resin data sheets (9120 / Evolve class) — Covestro (DSM Somos) (2023)
- Accura SLA resin family data sheets — 3D Systems (2023)
- eSUN / Siraya Tech PP-like 405 nm resin TDS — eSUN, Siraya Tech (2024)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D256 / D648 test methods for plastics — ASTM International (2022)
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.