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PP-Like Tough

Grade

Tough = high-elongation / durable PP-like

Pick when living hinges, repeated snap engagement or drop survival matter more than stiffness.

Urethane castingBudget cost $

Values for the Tough condition

Other PP-Like grades and fills

PP-Like is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PP-Like.

Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
ToughThis page
High-elongation / durable PP-like
Pick when living hinges, repeated snap engagement or drop survival matter more than stiffness.24308572 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.27325576 Shore D
Plant-based / low-odor PP-like
Soy/plant-oil-modified urethane acrylate for low odor and easier handling in offices and classrooms.28334575 Shore D
Static-dissipative PP-like
For jigs, trays and fixtures handling electronics where surface charge must be bled off.30342580 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.481284 Shore D

What is PP-Like Tough?

PP-Like Tough is PP-Like in the Tough grade — pick when living hinges, repeated snap engagement or drop survival matter more than stiffness. PP-Like Tough has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 100% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 85% and the elastic modulus is 0.9 GPa (0.131 Msi). PP-Like Tough 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).

Advantages

  • Tough — resists crack growth — 2.6 MPa·√m (2.37 ksi·√in), better than 120% of polyurethane grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 85%, better than 76% of polyurethane grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 15/100, better than 75% of polyurethane grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 24 MPa (3.48 ksi), worse than 100% of polyurethane grades
  • Limited service temperature — 45°C (113 °F), worse than 100% of polyurethane grades
  • High embodied carbon — 6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of polyurethane grades

PP-Like Tough properties

Typical room-temperature values for PP-Like Tough; 25 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PP-Like reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polyurethane grades.

Physical5

PP-Like Tough 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).

Density1.15 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)55°C131 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.6%
Water Absorption (Saturation)1.8%
Refractive Index1.51

Mechanical17

PP-Like Tough has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 100% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 85% and the elastic modulus is 0.9 GPa (0.131 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0.9 GPa0.13 Msi
Shear Modulus0.46 GPa0.07 Msi
Bulk Modulus2 GPa0.35 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)30 MPa4.4 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)24 MPa3.5 ksi
Elongation at Break85%
Compressive Strength45 MPa6.5 ksi
Compressive Modulus1.2 GPa0.17 Msi
Flexural Strength36 MPa5.2 ksi
Flexural Modulus0.95 GPa0.14 Msi
Shear Strength25 MPa3.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)2.6 MPa·√m2.4 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched95 J/m1.8 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D72 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M45 HRM
Hardness, Rockwell R95 HRR

Thermal10

PP-Like Tough is rated for continuous service to 45°C (113 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of polyurethane grades. Thermal expansion is 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.19 W/m·K0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)120 µm/m·K66.7 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)45°C113 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa48°C118 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa40°C104 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB (typical, not rated on most consumer PP-like resins)
Limiting Oxygen Index19%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)70°C158 °F

Electrical7

PP-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.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength17 kV/mm432 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.6
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.03
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)500 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 71% of polyurethane grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good78/100
UV / Weathering ResistancePoor25/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, dilute acids/alkalis, oils and aliphatic fuels; attacked or softened by ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents and hot IPA soaks; post-cured parts continue to embrittle under sunlight and prolonged humid heat.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PP-Like Tough takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of polyurethane 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%

Manufacturability4

PP-Like Tough's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polyurethane grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability poor (15/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
WeldabilityNot recommended5/100
Formability (cold)Poor15/100
PolishabilityGood60/100

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

Working with PP-Like Tough

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomerbackbone giving PP-like toughness35 – 6048
monofunctional acrylate monomer (IBOA/EOviscosity control, flexibility15 – 3525
difunctional acrylate crosslinker (HDDA/crosslink density / stiffness8 – 2515
photoinitiator (TPO / TPO-L / BAPO)405 nm or 355 nm sensitized1 – 42.5
TiO2 pigment / opacifierwhite PP-look grades0 – 41.5
additives (dispersant, defoamer, UV blocbalance to 100 %balance

PP-Like Tough — frequently asked

What is PP-Like Tough used for?

PP-Like Tough 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 Tough?

PP-Like Tough has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 100% of polyurethane grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is PP-Like Tough 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 Tough 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 Tough?

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 Tough 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 Tough?

PP-Like Tough is rated for continuous use to about 45°C (113 °F), and briefly to 70°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in PP-Like Tough?

Yes — PP-Like Tough is available for urethane casting with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. Durable / Tough photopolymer resin technical data sheets — Formlabs (2024)
  2. Somos polypropylene-like SLA resin data sheets (9120 / Evolve class) — Covestro (DSM Somos) (2023)
  3. Accura SLA resin family data sheets — 3D Systems (2023)
  4. eSUN / Siraya Tech PP-like 405 nm resin TDS — eSUN, Siraya Tech (2024)
  5. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.