Materials for Our 3D Printing Services
Advanced Prototyping offers a wide variety of prototype material options for your project. The technologies associated with rapid prototyping/3D printing (SLS, SLA, etc.) are fairly well known, the growing array of materials available can be a difficult to puzzle to put together. To help our customers choose wisely, the API rapid protoytping materials guide is a quick one page reference tool showing material and physical properties and metrics of SLA materials, SLS materials, and urethane materials for your parts. For custom blends and other materials, call API and we'll find the appropriate specialty prototyping material for your project.
The design features of your application will determine the material used. Most of the materials used are specialized plastics such as polypropylene, nylon, epoxy resins, and urethane. API can ensure that the right 3D prototyping process and material are selected, no matter what your application for the end-use parts.
SLA Materials - Stereolithography
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SLA/Rigid - Accura-55 White
Simulate the look and feel of molded ABS with this tough and versatile plastic.
- Automotive interior parts
- Short-run production parts
- Electronic components
- Testing of functional assemblies
- Rigid and durable functional rapid prototypes
- Concept and marketing models
- Accurate, durable master patterns for urethane casting
Technical Data
Liquid Material
| Measurement | Condition | Value |
| Appearance | White | |
| Liquid Density | @ 25 °C (77 °F) | 1.13 g/cm³ |
| Solid Density | @ 25 °C (77 °F) | 1.20 g/cm³ |
| Viscosity | @ 30 °C (86 °F) | 155 - 185 cps |
| Penetration Depth (Dp)* | 5.2 mils | |
| Critical Exposure(Ec)* | 7.4 mJ/cm² | |
| Tested Build Styles | EXACT™, FAST™, EXACT™ HR |
Post-Cured Material
| Measurement | Condition | Metric | U.S. |
| Tensile Strength | ASTM D 638 | 63 - 68 MPa | 9,200 - 9,850 PSI |
| Tensile Modulus | ASTM D 638 | 3,200 - 3,380 MPa | 460 - 490 KSI |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D 638 | 5 - 8 % | 5 - 8 % |
| Flexural Strength | ASTM D 790 | 88 - 110 MPa | 12,830 -15,920 PSI |
| Flexural Modulus | ASTM D 790 | 2,690 - 3,240 MPa | 390 - 470 KSI |
| Impact Strength (Notched Izod) | ASTM D 256 | 12 - 22 J/m | 0.2 - 0.4 ft-lb/in |
| Impact Strength (Notched Izod) | ASTM D 5420 | 1.1 J | 0.81 ft - lbs |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | ASTM D 648 @ 66 PSI @ 264 PSI |
55 - 58 °C 51 - 53 °C |
131 - 136 °F 123 - 127 °F |
| Hardness, Shore D | 85 | 85 | |
| Co-Effcient of Thermal Expansion | ASTM E 831-93 TMA (T<Tg, 0-40 °C) TMA (T<Tg, 75-140 °C) |
61 x μm/m -°C 163 μm/m -°C |
141 μin/in - °F 326 μin/in - °F |
| Glass Transition (Tg) | DMA, E" | 56 °C | 132°F |
SLA/Rigid - Accura-25 White
Accura® 25 simulates the properties of a durable plastic in the range of polypropylene to low end ABS. It produces durable prototypes that are ideally suited for automotive design verification and functional testing.
Technical Data
Liquid Material
| Measurement | Condition | Value |
| Appearance | White | |
| Liquid Density | @ 25 °C (77 °F) | 1.13 g/cm³ |
| Solid Density | @ 25 °C (77 °F) | 1.19 g/cm³ |
| Viscosity | @ 30 °C (86 °F) | 250 cps |
| Penetration Depth (Dp)* | 4.2 mils | |
| Critical Exposure(Ec)* | 10.5 mJ/cm2 | |
| Tested Build Styles | EXACT™, FAST™, EXACT™ HR |
Post-Cured Material
| Measurement | Condition | Metric | U.S. |
| Tensile Strength | ASTM D 638 | 38 MPa | 5,540 - 5,570 PSI |
| Tensile Modulus | ASTM D 638 | 1590-1660 MPa | 230 - 240 KSI |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D 638 | 13 - 20 % | 13 - 20 % |
| Flexural Strength | ASTM D 790 | 55 - 58 MPa | 7,960 - 8,410 PSI |
| Flexural Modulus | ASTM D 790 | 1,380 - 1,660 MPa | 200 - 240 KSI |
| Impact Strength (Notched Izod) | ASTM D 256 | 19 - 24 J/m | 0.4 ft-lb/in |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | ASTM D 648 @ 66 PSI @ 264 PSI |
58 - 63 °C 51 - 55 °C |
136 - 145 °F 124 - 131 °F |
| Hardness, Shore D | 80 | 80 | |
| Co-Effcient of Thermal Expansion | ASTM E 831-93 TMA (T<Tg, 0-20 °C) TMA (T<Tg, 75-140 °C) |
107 x 10-⁶ m/m-°C 151 x 10-⁶ m/m-°C |
|
| Glass Transition (Tg) | DMA, E" | 60 °C | 140 °F |
SLA/Flexible - DSM-9120 Amber/Milky
Robust, accurate epoxy resin for stereolithography. SLA parts created with Somos® 9120 exhibit superior fatigue properties, strong memory retention, and high quality up-facing and down-facing surfaces.
Physical Properties (Metric)
| ASTM Test | Description | Somos® 9120 UV | Polypropylene* |
| D638M | Tensile Strength at Yield Elongation at Yield Young's Modulus |
30 - 32 MPa 15 - 25 % 1,227 - 1,462 MPa |
31 - 37.2 MPa 7 - 13 % 1,138 - 1,551 MPa |
| D790M | Flexural Strength Flexural Modulus |
41 - 46 MPa 1,310 - 1,455 MPa |
41 - 55 MPa 1,172 - 1,724 MPa |
| D2240 | Hardness (Shore D) | 80 - 82 | N/A |
| D256A | Izod Impact - notched | 48 -53 J/m | 21 - 75 J/m |
| D648 | Deflection Temperature | 52 - 61 °C | 107 -121 °C |
Physical Properties (Imperial)
| ASTM Test | Description | Somos® 9120 UV | Polypropylene* |
| D638M | Tensile Strength at Yield Elongation at Yield Young's Modulus |
4,400 - 4,700 psi 15 - 25 % 178,000 - 212,000 psi |
4,500 - 5,400 psi 7 - 13 % 165,000 - 225,000 psi |
| D790M | Flexural Strength Flexural Modulus |
6,000 - 6,700 psi 190,000 - 211,000 psi |
6,000 - 8,000 psi 170,000 - 250,000 psi |
| D2240 | Hardness (Shore D) | 80 - 82 | N/A |
| D256A | Izod Impact - notched | 0.9 - 1.0 ft-lb/in | 0.4 - 1.4 ft-lb/in |
| D648 | Deflection Temperature | 126 - 142 °F | 225 - 250 °F |
SLA/Rigid - DSM-10122 Clear
DSM Somos® WaterClear Ultra 10122 is a next generation optically clear resin with ABS like properties and good temperature resistance. In SLA rapid prototyping, it produces colorless, functional, accurate parts that simulate acrylic in appearance. Based on the Oxetane Advantage™, the parts also have improved water resistance over the original WaterClear 10120 resin. WaterClear Ultra is a fast, low viscosity, general-purpose resin.
Mechanical Properties (Metric)
| ASTM Method | Description | Somos® WaterClear® Ultra UV Postcure | Acrylic |
| D638M | Tensile Strength Tensile Modulus Elongation at Break Elongation at Yield Poisson's Ratio |
55 - 56 MPa 2,860 - 2,900 MPA 6 - 9 % 4 % 0.40 - 0.42 |
47 - 79 MPa 2,200 - 3,800 MPa 1 - 30 % 4 % 0.37 - 0.45 |
| D790M | Flexural Strength Flexural Modulus |
82 - 85 MPa 2,410 - 2,570 MPa |
88 - 138 MPa 3,000 - 3,500 MPa |
| D256A | Izod Impact-Notched | 0.24 - 0.26 J/cm | 0.15 J/cm |
| D2240 | Hardness (Shore D) | 86 - 87 | 63 - 97 |
| D570-98 | Water Absorption | 1.1 % | 0.3 - 2.0 % |
| D542 | Index of Refraction | 1.515 | 1.498 |
Thermal & Electrical Properties (Metric)
| ASTM Method | Description | Somos® WaterClear® Ultra UV Postcure | Acrylic |
| E831-00 | C. T. E. -40°C – 0°C C. T. E. 0°C – 50°C C. T. E. 50°C – 100°C C. T. E. 100°C – 150°C |
63.6 - 66.8 μm/m- °C 87.8 - 93.0 μm/m- °C 164.3 - 171.9 μm/m- °C 149.9 - 167.1 μm/m- °C |
|
| D150-98 | Dielectric Constant 60Hz Dielectric Constant 1KHz Dielectric Constant 1MHz |
3.0 - 3.2 3.3 - 3.6 3.0 - 3.2 |
4.0 3.5 3.0 |
| D149-97a | Dielectric Strength | 14.5 - 15.5 kV/mm | 18 - 60 kV/mm |
| E1545-00 | Tg | 42 - 46 °C | 100 - 105 °C |
| D648-98c | HDT@ 0.46 MPa HDT @ 1.82 MPa |
46 - 47 °C 42 - 43 °C |
80 - 103 °C 80 - 103 °C |
| Thermal postcure | |||
| HDT @ 0.46 MPa | 59 - 61 °C | ||
| HDT @ 0.46 MPa | 59 - 61 °C | ||
Mechanical Properties (Imperial)
| ASTM Method | Description | Somos® WaterClear® Ultra UV Postcure | Acrylic |
| D638M | Tensile Strength Tensile Modulus Elongation at Break Elongation at Yield Poisson's Ratio |
7.9 - 8.1 ksi 414 - 421 ksi 6 - 8 % 4 % 0.40 - 0.42 |
6.8 - 11.5 ksi 319 - 551 ksi 1 - 30 % 4 % 0.37 - 0.45 |
| D790M | Flexural Strength Flexural Modulus |
11.8 - 12.4 ksi 349 - 373 ksi |
12.8 - 20.0 ksi 435 - 508 ksi |
| D256A | Izod Impact-Notched | 0.44 - 0.48 ft-lb/in | 0.3 ft-lb/in |
| D2240 | Hardness (Shore D) | 86 - 87 | 63 - 97 |
| D570-98 | Water Absorption | 1.1 % | 0.3 - 2.0 % |
| D542 | Index of Refraction | 1.515 % | 1.498 |
Thermal & Electrical Properties (Imperial)
| ASTM Method | Description | Somos® WaterClear® Ultra UV Postcure | Acrylic |
| E831-00 | C. T. E. -40°F – 32°F C. T. E. 32°F – 122°F C. T. E. 122°F – 212°F C. T. E. 212°F – 302°F |
35.3 - 37.1 μin/in- °F 48.8 - 51.7 μin/in- °F 91.3 - 95.5 μin/in- °F 83.3 - 92.9 μin/in- °F |
|
| D150-98 | Dielectric Constant 60Hz Dielectric Constant 1KHz Dielectric Constant 1MHz |
3.0 - 3.2 3.3 -3.6 3.0 - 3.2 |
4.0 3.5 3.0 |
| D149-97a | Dielectric Strength | 367 - 393 V/mil | 456 - 1520 V/mil |
| E1545-00 | Tg (TMA) | 108 - 115°F | 212 - 221°F |
| D648-98c | HDT@ 66 psi HDT @ 264 psi |
115 - 116 °F 108 - 110 °F |
176 - 217 °F 176 - 217 °F |
| Thermal postcure | |||
| HDT @ 66 psi | 139 - 142 °F | ||
| HDT @ 264 psi | 120 - 122 °F | ||
SLS Materials - Selective Laser Sintering
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This material produces SLS parts with excellent stiffness, heat resistance, surface appearance, and finish. For functional engineering plastic models. Patterns for secondary tooling processes where a durable master pattern is required.
| Usage | For functional engineering plastic models. Patterns for secondary tooling processes where a durable master pattern is required. Excellent surface quality, outstanding feature definition (0.75mm/0.030in), machinable, heat, &chemical resistant, may be joined mechanically or with adhesives. This material is stable, no long-term creep. Buffs to high gloss with wet sanding. | |
| Test Method | Results in English (SI) Units | |
| Specific Gravity determinations were made in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D792-00. | 0.985g/cm3 | |
| Tensile Propertydeterminations were made in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D638-02. Specimens were tested utilizing a crosshead speed of 5 mm per minute. | Strength: | 45.1 MPa |
| Elongation: | 11.2 % | |
| Modulus: | 1860 Mpa | |
| Melting Point determinations was utilizing a TA Instruments Model 2010 Differential Scanning Calorimeter in accordance with procedures of ASTM D3418-99. | Melt Point: | 182 °C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature test was performed, at outer fiber stresses of 66 psi and 264 psi, in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D648-01. | 66 psi: | 179 °C |
| 264 psi: | 63 °C | |
| Flexural Modulus determinations were made in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D790-02. | 1560 Mpa | |
| Notched Izod Impact test was performed in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D256-02 | 36.8 J/M | |
| Unnotched Izod Impact test was performed in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D4812-99. | 261 J/M | |
| Chemical Resistance | Alkalines, Hydrocarbons, Fuels, and Solvents | |
DuraForm PA Glass-Filled Nylon 12:
This material is filled with 25% glass and produces SLS parts with extra stiffness, heat resistance, surface appearance, and finish. Excellent surface quality, outstanding feature definition (0.75mm/0.030in), machinable, heat, and chemical resistant, may be joined mechanically or with adhesives. This material is stable, no long-term creep. Parts buff to high gloss with wet sanding.
| Usage | For functional engineering plastic models. Patterns for secondary tooling processes where a durable master pattern is required. Excellent surface quality, outstanding feature definition (0.75mm/0.030in), machinable, heat, &chemical resistant, may be joined mechanically or with adhesives. This material is stable, no long-term creep. Buffs to high gloss with wet sanding. | |
| Test Method | Results in English (SI) Units | |
| Specific Gravity determinations were made in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D792-00. | 1.12g/cm3 | |
| Tensile Property determinations were made in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D638-02. Specimens were tested utilizing a crosshead speed of 5 mm per minute. | Strength: | 41.9 MPa |
| Elongation: | 11.2 % | |
| Modulus: | 1990 Mpa | |
| Melting Point determinations was utilizing a TA Instruments Model 2010 Differential Scanning Calorimeter in accordance with procedures of ASTM D3418-99. | Melt Point: | 177 °C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature test was performed, at outer fiber stresses of 66 psi and 264 psi, in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D648-01. | 66 psi: | 152 °C |
| 264 psi: | 133 °C | |
| Flexural Modulus determinations were made in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D790-02. | 1940 Mpa | |
| Notched Izod Impact test was performed in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D256-02. | 35.4 J/M | |
| Unnotched Izod Impact test was performed in accordance with the procedures of ASTM D4812-99. | 284 J/M | |
| Chemical Resistance | Alkalines, Hydrocarbons, Fuels, and Solvents | |
Urethane Materials
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Urethane Part Materials Specifications
This material produces SLS parts with excellent stiffness, heat resistance, surface appearance, and finish. For functional engineering plastic models. Patterns for secondary tooling processes where a durable master pattern is required.
| Material Name | Hardness, ASTM D-2240, Shore D | Flexural Modulus, ASTM D-790, psi | Flexural Modulus, Thermoplastic Comparison | Ultimate Flexural Strength (5% Strain) ASTM D-790,psi | Izod Impact, ASTM D-256, ft.lb./in. | Tg per DMA, ASTM D-4065 °F | Deflection Temperature, ASTM D-648, 66psi, °F, 264psi, °F | Ultimate Tensile Strength, ASTM D-638, psi | Elongation, ASTM D-638, % | Ultimate Compressive Strength, ASTM D-695, psi | Tear Strength, ASTM D-624, ppi |
| RP 6450 55-second PUR | 77 | 184,000 | HDPE, U-PP, HI-ABS | 7,000 | 0.88 | 306 | 252 208 | 4,900 | 11.7 | 23,100 | --- |
| RP 6451 75-second PUR | 76 | 181,000 | HDPE, U-PP, HI-ABS | 6,900 | 0.64 | 302 | 259 212 | 5,200 | 7.7 | 17,900 | --- |
| RP 6452 High Impact PUR | 79 | 201,000 | HPDE, U-PP, HI-ABS | 7,900 | 1.35 | 252 | 181 162 | 5,200 | 12.5 | 22,300 | --- |
| RP 6453 Flame Retardant PUR | 81 | 194,000 | HPDE, U-PP, HI-ABS | 7,300 | 0.70 | 275 | 208 174 | 4,800 | 7.2 | 20,200 | --- |
| RP 6454 High Flexural Modulus PUR | 85 | 313,000 | HR-ABS, MI-ABS, HI-ABS, FR-ABS | 11,700 | 0.70 | 228 | 186 162 | 7,500 | 12.2 | 27,100 | --- |
| RP 6455 2-minute PUR | 83 | 262,000 | HI-ABS | 10,000 | 0.77 | 23 | 183 148 | 6,400 | 15.0 | 32,400 | --- |
| RP 6456 Shore 72D PUR | 72 | 148,000 | HPDE | 5,700 | 0.66 | 270 | 210 190 | 3,500 | 5.9 | 8,700 | --- |
| RP 6457 Shore 65D PUR | 65 | 78,000 | MPDE, LPDE | 2,800 | 0.80 | 175 | 145 123 | 2,700 | 8.1 | 9,500 | --- |
| RP 6458 Very High Flexural Modulus PUR | 86 | 432,000 | FR-ABS | 16,500 | 0.87 | 190 | 136 129 | 10,200 | 3.2 | 14,100 | --- |
| RP 6459 Shore 80D Clear PUR | 79 | 168,000 | HPDE | 6,600 | 1.30 | 194 | 176 144 | 5,400 | 26.2 | 30,600 | --- |
| RP 6460 High Heat PUR | 80 | 174,000 | HPDE, U-PP | 7,100 | 1.02 | 320 | 275 232 | 5,300 | 8.0 | 24,500 | --- |
| RP 6461 300°F Rigid PUR | 81 | 246,000 | U-PP, HI-ABS | 11,650 | 0.70 | 339 | 309 286 | 7,800 | 9.6 | 32,000 | --- |
| RP 6473 SI Clear Silicone PUR | 30 (Shore A) | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- --- | 575 | 300 | --- | 55-60 |
| RP 6480 Rigid 13-20lb(lb./cu. ft.) FoamPUR | 89-91 | 32,000 | --- | 968 | 0.23 | 187 | 138 124 | --- | --- | 644 | --- |
| RP 6481 Shore 60-65A PUR | 60-65 (Shore A) | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- --- | 1,100 | 310 | --- | 142 |
| RP 6482 Shore 70-75A PUR | 70-75 (Shore A) | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- --- | 3,000 | 325 | --- | 194 |
| RP 6483 Shore 80-85A PUR | 80-85 (Shore A) | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- --- | 3,100 | 325 | --- | 323 |
| RP 6484 Shore 90-95A PUR | 90-95 (Shore A) | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- --- | 3,400 | 220 | --- | 480 |
