Resin Types and Applications: Choosing the Right Resin

You got your resin printer, your first prints are successful. Now a new question arises: Which resin should I use? Dozens of different resin types on store shelves - standard, tough, flexible, dental, castable... Each with different colors, properties, and prices.

Just like with FDM filaments, resin selection directly affects print success. Wrong resin leads to broken parts, wasted time, and disappointment. In this guide, we'll examine the most common resin types and explain which resin is suitable for which application.

Standard Resin: The Starting Point

When to Use: Prototypes, visual models, figures, hobby projects, learning

Properties

• Medium strength
• Good detail capture
• Easy printing
• Wide color selection
• Most affordable price

Mechanical Properties

• Flexural strength: 50-60 MPa
• Elongation: 10-15%
• Hardness: Shore D 80-85
• Heat resistance: 50-60°C

Application Areas

• Concept models
• Architectural models
• Tabletop game figures
• Decorative objects
• Visual prototypes

Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros:

• Cheap (400-600 TL/kg)
• Easy printing, few failures
• Fast curing time
• Wide color range

Cons:

• Brittle (cracks when dropped)
• Low impact resistance
• UV sensitive (yellows)
• Limited functional use

Recommendation: Start with standard resin for your first resin experience. Learn printing techniques, then move to special resins.

Tough/ABS-like Resin: Functional Strength

When to Use: Functional prototypes, snap-fit parts, test assemblies, objects under mechanical stress

Properties

• High impact resistance
• Flexible but strong
• Crack resistant
• ABS plastic-like behavior

Mechanical Properties

• Flexural strength: 60-75 MPa
• Elongation: 25-40%
• Hardness: Shore D 78-82
• Heat resistance: 60-70°C

Application Areas

• Snap-fit (clip) connections
• Functional prototype tests
• Parts with screw holes
• Mechanical assembly parts
• Durability tests

Test Scenarios

Drop Test: Standard resin breaks when dropped from 1 meter, tough resin stays intact.

Bending Test: Standard resin breaks at a certain point, tough resin can bend and retain its shape.

Price: 600-900 TL/kg

Recommendation: If you want to make functional parts, invest in tough resin. The price difference is worth it.

Flexible Resin: Elastic Solutions

When to Use: Gaskets, seals, soft buttons, grips, flexible connections

Properties

• Rubber-like flexibility
• Shore 50A - 80A hardness
• High elongation
• Impact absorbing

What Is Shore Hardness?

• Shore 50A: Rubber band elasticity
• Shore 70A: Car tire
• Shore 80A: Shoe sole
• Shore 90A: Hard rubber

Application Areas

• O-rings and seals
• Gaskets
• Soft buttons (silicone-like)
• Grips and holding areas
• Impact absorbing bumpers
• Flexible connections

Print Tips

• Slower printing (normal layer time x1.5)
• Use thin supports
• Requires good cleaning
• Full cure essential (otherwise stays sticky)

Price: 700-1000 TL/kg

Warning: Flexible resin requires more post-processing. Washing takes longer.

Dental Resins: Medical Precision

Dental resins must be biocompatible and FDA/CE approved. Certification is mandatory for every material going into the human mouth.

Model Resin

Use: Dental models, study models, orthodontic planning

Properties:

• High precision (±50 microns)
• Smooth surface
• Beige/cream color
• Heat resistance (for sterilization)

Price: 1200-1800 TL/kg

Surgical Guide Resin

Use: Implant placement guides, surgical templates

Properties:

• Very high precision (±25 microns)
• Transparent or light color
• Sterilization compatible
• Biocompatible (ISO 10993)

Critical: Even 0.1 mm error can lead to implant failure.

Price: 2000-2500 TL/kg

Temporary Crown & Bridge Resin

Use: Temporary crowns, bridges, inlays

Properties:

• Tooth-like color (A1, A2, A3 shades)
• High strength (chewing force)
• Aesthetic (natural appearance)
• Can stay in mouth for long periods (weeks)

Price: 1800-2500 TL/kg

Denture Base Resin

Use: Dental prosthesis bases

Properties:

• Pink color (gum-like)
• High impact resistance
• Biocompatible
• Can be painted and polished

Price: 2000-3000 TL/kg

Castable (Burnable) Resin: For Jewelry

When to Use: Lost-wax casting, jewelry production, dental inlay/onlay

What Is Lost-Wax Casting?

1. Master model printed with resin
2. Model embedded in plaster mold
3. Burned in furnace - resin burns without leaving ash
4. Liquid metal (gold, silver, bronze) poured into cavity
5. Plaster broken, metal part revealed

Properties

• Zero ash (ash-free burnout)
• Smooth surface
• High detail
• Low expansion
• Clean burning (400-700°C)

Burnout Profile

• 150°C: Slow heating start
• 300°C: Resin softens
• 700°C: Complete burning, no ash

Application Areas

• Ring master models
• Pendant tips
• Earrings
• Dental inlay/onlay
• Complex filigree work

Print Tips

• Use minimum supports (leave marks)
• Surface smoothness critical
• Post-processing: Sanding and polishing

Price: 1000-1800 TL/kg

Tip: Polish the model with 400-1000 grit sandpaper after printing. The smoother it is, the more flawless the casting.

Transparent (Clear) Resin: Light Transmitting

When to Use: Lens prototypes, fluid flow visualization, light guides, transparent covers

Properties

• Glass-like transparency
• Optical clarity
• Surface quality critical
• Post-processing mandatory

How to Increase Transparency?

1. Thin Layers 0.025 mm layers = fewer layer lines

2. Cleaning After IPA cleaning, rinse with pure water

3. UV Cure Full cure increases clarity

4. Polishing

• 400 grit sandpaper
• 800 grit sandpaper
• 1500 grit sandpaper
• 3000 grit sandpaper
• Polishing compound

Result: Glass-like transparency

Application Areas

• Lens prototypes
• Fluid dynamics visualization
• LED light guides
• Transparent boxes and covers
• Decorative objects

Price: 700-1200 TL/kg

Warning: Transparent resin is very UV sensitive. Yellows quickly in sunlight. UV protective varnish mandatory.

High Temperature Resin: Heat Resistant

When to Use: Molds, fixtures, injection mold masters, automotive under-hood

Properties

• HDT (Heat Deflection Temperature): 238°C
• High strength
• Dimensional stability (doesn't deform at temperature)

Application Areas

• Low-pressure injection molds
• Thermoforming molds
• Automotive test parts
• Jigs/fixtures working under heat

Price: 1200-2000 TL/kg

Water Washable

Properties:

• Cleans with water instead of IPA
• Safer (IPA not flammable)
• Cheaper (water is free)
• Usually more brittle

Pros:

• Safe for home use
• Cost-free cleaning
• No odor

Cons:

• Lower mechanical properties
• Cleaning takes longer
• Water waste management needed

Price: 500-800 TL/kg

Recommendation: Good for visual models, not for functional parts.

Resin Safety: Health First

Glove Use MANDATORY

Correct Gloves:

• Nitrile gloves (at least 0.1 mm thickness)
• Latex INSUFFICIENT (resin can penetrate)
• Single use

Wrong: Touching resin with bare hands Right: Gloves for every operation

Skin Contact Risks

Allergic Reaction: Repeated contact can develop allergic sensitivity. Once sensitivity develops, reaction increases with each contact.

Symptoms:

• Redness
• Itching
• Blisters
• Burning sensation

First Aid: If resin touches skin, wash immediately with plenty of soapy water. Don't use alcohol (penetrates deeper).

Ventilation

Enclosed Space: Carbon filter or ventilation system mandatory Open Space: Open window, ensure air flow Professional: Use ventilated cabinet

Odor-Producing Resins:

• ABS-like
• Flexible
• Some standard resins

Low Odor:

• Plant-based resins
• Low-odor formulations

Child and Pet Safety

• Store resin where children cannot reach
• Keep room closed while printer operating
• Even post-cure parts not suitable for children (small parts)
• Pets must not access resin containers

Waste Management

Liquid Resin Waste:

• DO NOT pour down sink
• Cure in sunlight or UV lamp
• Dispose as solid waste

Used IPA:

• Evaporate in sunlight (outdoors)
• Dispose of solidified resin at bottom
• Can reuse IPA

Failed Prints:

• Fully cure with UV
• Dispose as plastic waste

Resin Selection Guide

Conclusion: Resin Variety, Limitless Possibilities

Resin selection determines the success of your application. Start with standard resin, customize according to your needs. Never neglect safety - gloves, ventilation, and proper waste management are vital.

In our next article, we'll dive into 3D scanning technology. How do we transfer physical objects to digital? What scanning methods exist? We'll examine everything.