FDM Polycarbonate vs. SLA Resin Elastic 50A

Compare FDM Polycarbonate vs. SLA Resin Elastic 50A strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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SLA Resin Elastic 50A3D printed (SLA resin)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	53.3MPasourcetypical	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	3.4MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	89.4MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	9.2%sourcetypical	160%sourcetypical17.4x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.39GPasourcetypical	not sourced
Density	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange	1,010kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	44.8kN·m/kg13.3x higher	3.37kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.01MN·m/kg	not sourced
Poisson's ratio	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	not sourced
Shear modulus	0.867GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,418m/s	not sourced
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C	not sourced
Thermal expansion	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	not sourced	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	42.5W/m	not sourced
Glass transition	108°Csourcetypical	-34.5°CsourceDMA
Max service temperature	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	not sourced
Values for	Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.	Formlabs Elastic 50A Resin V2 (FLELCL02), TDS Rev. 01 24.01.2024; parts printed on Form 3, 100 µm, Elastic 50A V2 settings and post-processing; tensile on Die C specimens cut from printed sheets after 3+ h at 23 °C.

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

FDM Polycarbonate and SLA Resin Elastic 50A are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than SLA Resin Elastic 50A?

FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against tensile strength 3.4 MPa for SLA Resin Elastic 50A (15.7x).

Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or SLA Resin Elastic 50A?

SLA Resin Elastic 50A is lighter: 1,010 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or SLA Resin Elastic 50A?

For the same stiffness or strength: FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	FDM Polycarbonate	SLA Resin Elastic 50A
Strong rod or tie	lighter	13.3x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	5.32x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	3.36x heavier

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which is more ductile, FDM Polycarbonate or SLA Resin Elastic 50A?

SLA Resin Elastic 50A stretches further before it breaks: 160% elongation at break against 9.2% for FDM Polycarbonate.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density