3D printer resins are building materials used by 3d printing machines. They usually come in vats that need to be cured with ultraviolet light immediately after application onto the building platform. The resin is then liquefied and hardened into a solid plastic object once exposed to UV or another form of light.
The best 3D resin printers can use any number of different resins, some more common than others. Still, you will only ever find some substances widely available for sale and purchase online and offline. There are some big differences between resin and filament, however.
In contrast, some others may never reach common ground and remain, at least for the time being, on the fringes of an experimental market.
Make sure you understand how to dispose of 3D printer resin before you begin working with it!
Five Of The Strongest 3D Printing Resins
1. Clear Resin
Clear resin is another exciting resin for 3d printing because it’s perfect for both the vast majority of home users and professional resellers alike. It works well on all printers; it has exact characteristics, so there are no drawbacks when using this type of resin.
The product is easy to use, doesn’t require special maintenance once in operation, offers outstanding surface quality with little need for post-curing, yields excellent results without any odor at all.
You can print using clear resin at temperatures between 20-50 degrees Celsius (68 – 122 F), which makes it ideal for various uses that include artistic endeavors and prototyping objects for mechanical tests.
Clear resin is famous for its resistance to chemicals, UV radiation, solvents, and high temperatures.
2. PVAc resin
PVAc resin is a very popular 3d printing resin because it offers good resolution and works fine on dual extrusion 3d printers. It’s easy to use and cost-effective, which makes it an excellent choice for those of you who are planning on using the same type of filament time and again without changing your printer types or lack of knowledge regarding how to do so.
PVAc resin is strong, durable, has low shrinkage, can be used with a wide range of different baking tests and post-curing methods. You can print from 5-400 degrees Celsius (41-752 F), which means you’re going to have a lot more exciting opportunities when working with this resin.
PVAc is an ideal option for home users because it’s robust, durable, and has improved adhesion compared to other types of 3d printing materials.
This material is safe for food contact, so you’ll be able to have fun with all kinds of mixtures that use this kind of filament. PVAc resin is also more economical than other types of 3d printing filament because you can reuse it several times without any reduction in quality.
3. Protopasta A3D
Another resilient resin on our list comes in the form of Proto-Pasta ABS-like resin. You might already know it is a material usually reserved for 3D printing objects suitable for mechanical parts.
The Proto-Pasta A3D has all the characteristics you would expect from this sort of material but with superior optical properties too.
Proto-pasta A3D is transparent, offers excellent durability and strength. It also resists chemicals well, meaning that objects printed with it stay strong even when attacked by solvents or other substances.
It holds suitable dimensions even after being subjected to heat, so that it might be a good choice for some of you.
Delta Micro Factory sells Proto-pasta A3D, and you can use it for a wide range of printers. Additional options include purchasing a UV LED lamp that comes in handy, especially during post-curing.
Proto-pasta A3D is famous for its durability, and it works well on most 3d printers without any need for alterations or adjustments. It can be used at temperatures between 0 – 300 C (32 – 572 F) which gives you an array of options to choose from for further personalization.
4. Taulman 645 Nylon
Taulman’s 645 Nylon comes in spools up to 750g each, and it is a material that has already proven itself to be of the strongest 3d printer resins out there. It was engineered for FDM 3d printers with heated beds or enclosures needed to print some more complex geometries successfully.
The only drawback here is the price which is still too high compared to other materials on this list, but some resellers offer discounts, so you might want to check that out before buying anything.
This resin offers excellent dimensional stability, smooth surfaces, perfect detail reproduction at 30 microns, resistance against chemicals and solvents, and flexibility and rigid.
5. Carbon Fiber PLA
Last but not least on our list is the carbon fiber reinforced PLA, which is best described as a mix of nylon and wood fibers. It’s an experimental product that has some exciting results when printed with double extrusion 3d printers. Since it mixes polymer strength with glass fibers reinforcement, you can get incredibly rigid prints.
As far as 3d printing materials go, this is probably one of the strongest in terms of overall quality, so if you want something that will offer superior resistance to heat, abrasion, chemicals, or compounds, then give this resin a shot.
You don’t need any special maintenance, and it’s easy to work with on pretty much any type of 3d printer as well as on some other resin additive fabrication equipment.
The carbon fiber PLA has a glossy surface quality, making it perfect for those looking to experiment with artistic endeavors such as jewelry, pipes, pens, etc. It’s also ideal if you need some mechanical parts created because they will be solid and resist abrasion and heat very well.
We love this material because it works great with dual extrusion printers, meaning you can print both the model and its support at the same time without worrying too much about how thick your support structure will turn out.
Summing Up
Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a significant boom in 3d printers and resins for them. It is one of the most critical aspects that has probably generated so much enthusiasm around this hobby. It certainly keeps us excited to test out new materials every time we meet up with manufacturers who bring something new to the table.
However, before you get your hands on any of these materials, remember that high-quality 3d printer resins do come at a price, and not all of them work well together or produce results that won’t satisfy you or your wallet. This list should offer some solutions which might suit your needs. Also- make sure you read up about resin toxicity to keep yourself safe, particularly when doing this printing in a small, unventilated space.
Hello, my name’s Rush Chapman. I’m a 3D printing enthusiast. I started this site to help people choose 3D printing projects and select the best 3D printer for your needs, whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro!
