SLA 3D Printing Resin Comparison
Standard, tough and flexible resin: which one for your project?
Get a free quoteSLA (stereolithography) printing uses UV-cured photopolymer resins to produce parts with exceptional precision. The choice of resin determines the mechanical properties, flexibility and durability of your parts. Here's a comparison of the three main resin families.
Properties comparison
| Standard resin | Tough resin | Flexible resin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 40–65 MPa | 45–55 MPa | 5–10 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 3–6% | 20–40% | 80–120% |
| Elastic modulus | 2.0–2.8 GPa | 1.4–1.8 GPa | 0.3–0.7 GPa |
| Detail resolution | 25–50 µm (excellent) | 50 µm (very good) | 50–100 µm (good) |
| UV resistance | Low (yellowing) | Moderate | Low |
| Hardness (Shore) | Shore D 75–85 | Shore D 65–75 | Shore A 50–80 |
| Indicative price (liter) | €30–50 | €50–80 | €60–100 |
Detailed material sheets
Standard resin
The most commonly used SLA resin. It offers excellent resolution and very smooth surfaces, perfect for visual parts and validation prototypes.
Advantages
- Excellent resolution and fine details (25 µm)
- Smooth surface with no visible layer lines
- Affordable and available in many colors
- Fast curing and short print times
Disadvantages
- Brittle on impact (snaps cleanly)
- Yellows and weakens with UV exposure
- Requires IPA wash + UV post-curing
Typical use cases
- Scale models and presentation pieces
- Jewelry and casting molds (castable)
- High-fidelity visual prototypes
- Figurines and decorative parts
Tough resin
Designed to simulate ABS properties. Tough resin withstands impacts and deformation better while maintaining good dimensional accuracy.
Advantages
- Impact resistance far superior to standard
- High elongation (20–40%): bends without breaking
- Good dimensional accuracy
- Suitable for functional tests and assemblies
Disadvantages
- Slightly less fine surface than standard
- More expensive (€50–80/L)
- Longer post-curing time
Typical use cases
- Functional prototypes and assembly tests
- Snap-fit enclosures and mechanisms
- Parts under mechanical stress
- Verification tooling and jigs
Flexible resin
Prints soft parts with a rubbery feel. Ideal for gaskets, skin-contact simulations and parts that need to absorb deformation.
Advantages
- Soft and elastic (Shore A 50–80)
- Absorbs impacts and vibrations
- Good tear resistance
- Can simulate rubber or silicone
Disadvantages
- Lower resolution than rigid resins
- Difficult to clean (IPA + long drying)
- High price (€60–100/L)
Typical use cases
- Seals and gaskets
- Handle and grip prototypes
- Soles and biomedical parts
- Dampers and anti-vibration mounts
How to choose?
Visual parts with maximum detail → Standard resin
Impact-resistant functional prototypes → Tough resin
Soft rubber-like parts → Flexible resin