Plastic Polycarbonate vs. SLA Resin Tough 2000

Compare Plastic Polycarbonate vs. SLA Resin Tough 2000 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)

SLA Resin Tough 20003D printed (SLA resin)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield	40.4MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	65MPasourcetypical, stress at break	40.4MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength	67MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	125%sourcetypical, strain at break	79%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.4GPasourcetypical33% stiffer	1.8GPasourcetypical
Density	1,200kg/m³sourcetypical	1,090kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	54.2kN·m/kg46% higher	37.1kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2MN·m/kg21% higher	1.65MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	not sourced
Shear modulus	0.87GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,414m/s	1,285m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 C	not sourced
Thermal expansion	65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal	134µm/m·Ksourcemean 0-150 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth2.06x less	671µm growth
Specific heat	1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.142mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	51.7W/m	not sourced
Glass transition	144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min	112°CsourceDMA
Max service temperature	125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm	57°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values	Formlabs Tough 2000 Resin V2 (FLTO2002), TDS Rev. 01 10/06/2025; printed on Form 4 at 100 µm, washed in Form Wash V2 10+5 min in >=99% IPA, post-cured 70 °C for 12 min in Form Cure V2. Orientation not stated.

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.

SLA Resin Tough 2000 is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic Polycarbonate stronger than SLA Resin Tough 2000?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against 40.4 MPa for SLA Resin Tough 2000 (1.61x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Polycarbonate or SLA Resin Tough 2000?

SLA Resin Tough 2000 is lighter: 1,090 kg/m³ against 1,200 kg/m³ for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Polycarbonate or SLA Resin Tough 2000?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.4 GPa against 1.8 GPa for SLA Resin Tough 2000, so the same part in Plastic Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Polycarbonate or SLA Resin Tough 2000?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic Polycarbonate	SLA Resin Tough 2000
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	21% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	5% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	about equal	about equal
Strong rod or tie	lighter	46% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	25% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	15% 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 expands less with temperature?

Plastic Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 134 µm/m·K for SLA Resin Tough 2000.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density