A Comprehensive Guide to Resin Properties and Application Scenarios
As resin 3D printing technology continues to advance rapidly, the variety of available materials has expanded far beyond what we had in the past. From highly detailed miniatures, articulated figures, and cosplay armor to functional jigs, structural components, and precision prototypes—there is now a resin suited for nearly every type of application.
At the same time, however, the market is flooded with product names such as “Standard,” “ABS-like,” and “Pro,” none of which follow any industry-wide definition. As a result, users cannot rely on product names alone to understand a resin’s real performance. In this context, the TDS (Technical Data Sheet) has become the most reliable reference for choosing a resin. Unlike marketing descriptions such as “high precision,” “low odor,” or “tough and durable,” the TDS provides quantified material data derived from standardized testing, offering an accurate reflection of how a resin behaves during printing and in real-world use.
This article will help you master resin selection from two perspectives:
● Understanding the key indicators in a TDS and what they represent
● Choosing the right resin based on your specific application requirements
1. Why Product Names Cannot Truly Represent Resin Performance
There is currently no unified industry standard for resin product naming. One brand’s “ABS-like” resin may have completely different strength, toughness, and heat resistance compared to another brand’s resin with the same label. “Standard” resins also do not guarantee consistent print performance across manufacturers.
Therefore, you cannot determine whether a material fits your needs based on the name alone.
Adding to the problem, some resins do not even provide a TDS. Users must rely solely on marketing descriptions, which means they cannot predict how the resin will behave when used for clips, functional components, or high-temperature environments.
The purpose of the TDS is to eliminate that guesswork.
2. How to Read a TDS: Understanding the Seven Most Important Performance Indicators
Although a TDS may contain many technical terms, only a handful of core indicators truly determine the main characteristics of a resin:
2.1. Tensile Strength
Indicates the maximum load a material can withstand before breaking when stretched.
● Higher values → stronger but potentially more brittle
● Important for components that bear mechanical loads or external forces
2.2. Elongation at Break
Measures how much a material can stretch before it fractures.
● High values → flexible, tough, impact-resistant
● Low values → brittle and prone to cracking
2.3. Flexural Strength / Flexural Modulus
Reflects a material’s resistance to bending and deformation.
● High modulus → stiff, maintains shape well
● Low modulus → softer and more bendable
Suitable for structural parts or models that must retain specific geometry.
2.4. Hardness (Shore D)
Indicates the surface hardness of the cured material.
● ~80D → similar to hard plastics
● ~70D → slightly softer, able to absorb impact
Higher hardness improves scratch resistance but may increase brittleness.
2.5. Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT)
The temperature at which a material begins to deform under a specific load.
● Low HDT → may soften or warp under high heat (e.g., inside a car)
● High HDT → suitable for outdoor exposure or near lamps and high-temperature environments
2.6. Shrinkage
Measures how much a resin changes in size during curing.
● Low shrinkage → prints come out true to size and stable
● High shrinkage → risk of warping, misalignment, or parts not fitting properly
2.7. Viscosity
Describes the flow characteristics of the liquid resin.
● Low viscosity → flows easily, captures fine details better
● High viscosity → harder to degas and can produce stringing
3. Choosing Resin Based on Application: How to Use the TDS
Different applications have different requirements, so the key TDS indicators to focus on vary depending on your project.
3.1. Printing Miniatures / Statues: Detail Comes First
Miniatures require high surface smoothness and precise details. Focus on:
● Low viscosity → captures fine detail
● Low shrinkage → prevents warping or distorted anatomy
● High hardness → maintains sharp edges and crisp features
This explains the popularity of 8K/12K resins, which typically excel in these areas.
3.2. Printing Functional Parts: Strength, Toughness, and Heat Resistance
Ideal for:
● Jigs and fixtures
● Load-bearing components
● Mechanical parts
Key TDS priorities:
● High tensile strength → withstands pulling forces
● High elongation at break → resists snapping under stress
● High flexural modulus and strength → shape stability under load
● High heat resistance (HDT) → avoids deformation
Functional resins are the “iron-fist warriors” of the resin world.
3.3. Printing Cosplay Armor / Large Shells: Crack-Resistant and Shape-Stable
Core requirements:
● Do not crack
● Do not warp
● Maintain overall shape
Focus on:
● Good toughness → prevents cracking
● Low shrinkage → avoids warping
● Stable rigidity → ensures wearable, durable, and photo-ready armor
3.4. Printing Articulated Models / Moving Parts: Toughness Over Hardness
For joints, plug-and-play components, or movable elements:
● High toughness → prevents cracking
● Moderate hardness → avoids brittle edges
These parts must move smoothly without becoming fragile.
4. Using Comparison Tools: Quickly Identify Suitable Resins
By aggregating key parameters for common resin types, you can observe their high-to-low value distribution and quickly identify the material properties.
Example 1: Soft Rubber Ball
Through Table 1, you need
● Very high elongation at break
● Low tensile modulus
● Low tensile strength
Then Through Table 2, you can find Flexible resin matches these characteristics.
Example 2: Miniature for Shipping
Miniatures for international shipping must withstand vibrations, impacts, and stacking pressure, while maintaining detail. Through Table 1 you need to focus on:
● Low viscosity → preserves detail
● Low shrinkage → avoids warping
● High hardness → maintains sharp edges
● High tensile strength → ensures impact resistance
Usually, no single resin type can perfectly match all you need. You will find in Table 2:
● High hardness and tensile strength are generally more consistent in the “ABS-like” category, making these resins more reliable for parts that need to withstand stress during shipping.
● Low-viscosity, high-precision resins excel at capturing fine details but often have lower toughness, which makes them more prone to cracking under mechanical stress.
Prioritizing shipping safety over perfect detail is usually the practical choice for miniature models intended for overseas transport, as durability and impact resistance are more critical than capturing every tiny surface feature.
5. A Reminder: TDS Reveals About 80% of a Resin’s Characteristics—but Not Everything
The TDS provides a wealth of information about a resin’s performance, but manufacturers often add extra chemicals to enhance certain properties, such as:
● UV resistance, achieved through UV absorbers
● Anti-yellowing additives
● Modifiers to improve toughness, flow, or stability
These enhancements may not always appear in the TDS. Therefore, the TDS should be seen as a resin’s “resume,” rather than a complete account of its performance.
6. Final Thoughts: Understanding the TDS Means Understanding Your Resin
By mastering these indicators, you can:
● Choose the right resin
● Avoid trial and error
● Predict how prints will behave
Understanding the TDS gives you a reliable foundation for selecting resins for miniatures, functional parts, cosplay armor, articulated models, or large display pieces. It turns the seemingly complex world of resin selection into a more predictable and efficient process.
