Technical Bulletin - 3Dresyn ABS-like 3D Resin
Engineering photopolymer with ABS-like mechanical behaviour for functional additive manufacturing requiring balanced stiffness, toughness and dimensional stability.
Overview
3Dresyn® ABS-like is a high-performance engineering photopolymer designed to replicate the balanced mechanical behaviour of ABS thermoplastics. It combines rigidity with controlled flexibility and impact resistance, enabling the production of durable and functional parts.
The material is available in HV (higher mechanical performance) and LV (lower viscosity) versions to ensure compatibility across a wide range of SLA, DLP and LCD systems.
Unlike highly specialized resins optimized for maximum strength, very high flexibility or extreme thermal resistance, ABS-like is positioned as a balanced engineering material suitable for a wide range of real-world functional applications.
Headline mechanical and thermal performance
| Property | Typical value | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Flexural strength | <80 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Tensile strength | <50 MPa | ISO 527-1 / ISO 527-2 |
| Young’s modulus | 1.0–2.0 GPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | <10% | ISO 527 |
| Impact resistance, Notched Izod | <40 J/m | ISO 180 |
| Shore hardness | D70–80 | ISO 868 |
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) | >60 °C | Thermal characterization |
| Density | 1.0–1.1 g/cm³ | Physical characterization |
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This property profile reflects a balanced engineering behaviour similar in positioning to ABS thermoplastics: rigid enough for structural stability, but with controlled flexibility and impact tolerance for practical functional parts.
What makes 3Dresyn ABS-like different
1) Balanced stiffness and toughness
3Dresyn ABS-like is designed to avoid the common trade-off between brittle high-stiffness materials and overly soft tough materials. It is positioned for users who need engineering reliability rather than extreme specialization.
2) Functional engineering behaviour
The resin is suitable for real engineering parts such as housings, covers, clips, tooling elements and durable prototypes, where both shape retention and mechanical survivability matter.
3) Good dimensional stability
Very low shrinkage and hydrophobic behaviour support stable part geometry and help preserve tolerances over time.
4) Process flexibility through HV and LV versions
- HV: optimized for higher mechanical performance
- LV: optimized for lower viscosity and easier processing
5) Open-system compatibility
Compatible with open-parameter SLA, DLP and LCD systems in the 385–405 nm range.
Application Guidance
- Functional engineering components and enclosures
- Durable housings, clips and snap-fit parts
- Jigs, fixtures and tooling elements
- Impact-resistant prototypes
- Biomedical and technical components requiring balanced stiffness and toughness
ABS-like is particularly appropriate when the part requires:
- Moderate structural rigidity
- Controlled toughness
- Dimensional stability
- A practical engineering balance rather than maximum single-property performance
Measured physical and functional characteristics
- Density: 1.0–1.1 g/cm³
- Water absorption: ultra low (hydrophobic behaviour)
- Shrinkage: very low
- Appearance: clear with slight yellowing unless pigmented
- ABS-like balance between rigidity and flexibility
- High impact resistance and toughness
- Good dimensional stability with low shrinkage
- Hydrophobic behaviour with very low water uptake
- Reliable performance under mechanical stress
Processing Notes
- Printing technologies: SLA, DLP and LCD
- Wavelength range: 385–405 nm
- HV version: optimized for maximum mechanical performance
- LV version: optimized for improved flow and ease of processing
- Compatible with open-parameter systems
- Optimized using 3Dresyns IFU and calibration workflow
Final performance depends on validated control of:
- Exposure conditions
- Layer thickness
- Build orientation
- Post-processing workflow
Biocompatibility and regulatory framework
- Biocompatible formulation platform
- Non-cytotoxic under validated conditions
- Final device must be validated according to ISO 10993
- Manufacturing aligned with ISO 13485
As with all advanced photopolymers, biological and regulatory suitability depends on the full validated workflow and intended application.
Testing & processing disclaimer
Material properties are measured under controlled laboratory conditions and may vary depending on printer type, exposure conditions, layer thickness, build orientation and post-processing workflow.
Conclusion
3Dresyn ABS-like is positioned as a balanced engineering-grade photopolymer for users who need a practical combination of stiffness, toughness, dimensional stability and open-system processability. It is not designed as an extreme-performance resin, but as a reliable engineering material for real functional additive manufacturing.
Disclaimer
This material is supplied as a professional engineering material. Final part performance and suitability must be validated by the user according to the intended application and regulatory requirements.
This technical bulletin should be used together with the relevant processing, calibration, safety and workflow documentation available in the 3Dresyns® Resources section.