Tough 2000 Resin is a rugged material with strength, stiffness, and toughness comparable to Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic. ABS is a very common thermoplastic that provides a good balance of strength and flexibility. Tough 2000 Resin creates strong engineering prototypes and end-use parts and has been developed to withstand high stress and strain. For further finishing, Tough 2000 Resin can also be machined once printed.
Tough 2000 Resin also has a higher Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) than other materials in the family of Tough and Durable Resins, such as Tough 1500 Resin, Tough 1000 Resin, and Durable Resin. This ensures reliable performance at elevated temperatures, so that functional parts hold their shape when other plastics may deform. Compared to previous versions of the material, Tough 2000 Resin V2 offers improved fracture toughness, temperature resistance, material longevity, and aesthetics.
Note:
To learn more about the performance or specific material properties of Tough 2000 Resin, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS). Always consult the SDS as the primary source of information to understand safety and handling of Formlabs materials.
Recommended for
✓High-stress components
✓Machining
✓Works-like/feels like ABS prototyping
✓Geometrically accurate parts under sustained load
✓Snap-fit assemblies
Not recommended for
✖Parts that require compliant features
✖Parts that require significant cyclic loading (i.e., >4000 cycles)
Comparison with other materials
Tough 2000 Resin is a member of the Formlabs Tough family of Resins, along with Tough 1000 Resin and Tough 1500 Resin. As its name implies, it has the highest tensile modulus of the three but the lowest elongation at break. It performs similarly to ABS, making it a resilient, robust, and versatile material.
| Resin | Tough 2000 Resin V2 (post-cured) | Tough 1500 Resin V2 (post-cured) | Tough 1000 Resin (post-cured) | ABS, extruded sheet (McMaster-Carr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) | 40.4 | 34 | 26.3 | 39 |
| Tensile Modulus (MPa) | 1,800 | 1,460 | 932 | 1,800 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 79 | 155 | 180 | 8 |
| Gardner Impact Strength @ 1/32 in (0.8 mm) (J) | 1.6 | 5.9 | 13.1 | 2.3 |
| Work of Fracture (J/m2) | 305 | 1,011 | 3,200 | 2,060 |
| Heat Deflection Temp @ 0.45 MPa (ºC) | 70 | 66 | 55.3 | Not tested. From literature, ~100 |
To learn more about the performance properties of each Formlabs resin, refer to the library of material properties datasheets. To learn more about toughness metrics, refer to the Methods for Measuring Toughness article.
Printing with Tough 2000 Resin
Tough 2000 Resin does not require special preparation or processes to print. Install or update PreForm, then set up a print job.
To prepare a model for printing in PreForm:
Printing and installing a cartridge shim
The newest Tough family of resins (Tough 1000 Resin V1, Tough 1500 Resin V2, and Tough 2000 Resin V2) cause the resin cartridge bite valve to swell over time. A swollen bite valve dispenses resin more slowly, especially towards the end of a cartridge’s life. In a limited and contained number of cases, the bite valve can ultimately fall off the resin cartridge entirely, leading to a significant resin spill.
If your resin cartridge is from lot number 20251022 or later, it is not at risk for a resin spill, so you can print a shim that mitigates poor dispensing even if the valve swells. To prevent dispense interruptions caused by valve swelling, Formlabs recommends using this shim.
Notice:
If your resin cartridge’s lot number is earlier than 20251022, do not add a shim. Use it as normal until the printer displays Error 1.227.5 or Error 1.227.6, pour resin from the cartridge into the resin tank until the resin level reaches the maximum fill line marked on the resin tank frame, then discontinue use of the resin cartridge.
To install the cartridge shim:
Washing recommendations
All SLA 3D printed parts require washing to remove residual resin. Formlabs SLA printers come with a Finish Kit that you can use to manually wash your printed parts. Formlabs also offer automated part washing solutions, including the Form Wash and Form Wash L, that agitate the solvent bath and remove parts from the bath after a set time.
Wash parts according to the support article Form Wash/Form Wash L time settings. Pay particular attention to information that affects mechanical properties or biocompatibility requirements.
For best surface finish, Formlabs recommends allowing parts printed in Tough 2000 Resin V2 to air dry for at least 10 minutes prior to handling or post-curing. You can also use compressed air to speed up the drying process.
Post-curing requirements
Tough 2000 Resin requires post-curing to reach its optimal mechanical properties. Refer to the time and temperature settings for your machine for post-curing recommendations:
