Material Profile: ABS-Like Resin for SLA / LCD 3D
Phrozen SLA / LCD Resin Technical Report Series
Compiled from Phrozen official datasheets, SDS documents, and third-party technical reviews
Abstract—Phrozen ABS-Like Resin (Creamy White / Matte Gray) is formulated to approximate the toughness and impact behavior of injection-moulded ABS plastic. With Izod impact 30–50 J/m and elongation up to 18%, it bridges the gap between brittle hobby resins and engineering-grade Tough resins. Suitable for functional prototypes, mechanical fixtures, and parts that may be drilled or threaded after curing.
Index Terms—additive manufacturing, SLA, LCD, photopolymer, ABS-like, tough resin, functional prototyping.
I. MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION
This section establishes the canonical names and commercial designations under which the resin is supplied.
A. Designation
Trade name: Phrozen ABS-Like Resin. Colors: Creamy White, Matte Gray.
B. Resin Family
Toughened acrylate photopolymer with rubber-toughened oligomer modifiers; 405 nm UV cure.
C. Aliases and Alternative Designations
|
Alias |
Origin / Usage |
|
ABS-Like |
Standard product designation |
|
ABS-Like Creamy White / Matte Gray |
Two colors |
|
Tough hobby resin |
Generic descriptor |
II. COMPOSITION AND PHOTOPOLYMER CHEMISTRY
A. General Resin Family
Generic photo-polymerisation: monomers (multi-functional acrylates / urethane-acrylates) + photoinitiator (e.g., TPO / BAPO) + 405 nm UV → crosslinked thermoset network. Exact formulation is proprietary. Rubber-toughened oligomer modifiers improve impact behavior.
Fig. 1. Photopolymer crosslinking schematic for the resin family.
Fig. 2. SLA / LCD print → wash → post-cure process flow.
B. Composition Breakdown
TABLE I COMPOSITIONAL BREAKDOWN OF ABS-LIKE RESIN (TYPICAL / PER SUPPLIER DATASHEET)
|
Constituent |
Mass fraction |
Function |
|
Multi-functional acrylate + rubber-toughened oligomer modifiers |
≈ 70–85 wt% |
Form the backbone of the cured network |
|
Reactive diluents (low-viscosity acrylates) |
≈ 10–20 wt% |
Reduce viscosity; increase crosslink density |
|
Photoinitiator (acylphosphine oxide, e.g., TPO) |
≈ 1–3 wt% |
Absorbs 405 nm UV, initiates radical polymerisation |
|
Pigments, stabilisers, additives |
≈ 1–3 wt% |
Color, UV blocker for shelf life, surface flow |
|
Total |
100 wt% |
— |
III. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ABS-Like resin is differentiated from baseline Aqua / Speed resins by ~2× higher Izod impact and improved elongation. Properties approximate (but do not match) injection-moulded ABS — the photopolymer chemistry is fundamentally different from styrene-acrylonitrile / butadiene terpolymer.
TABLE II MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ABS-LIKE RESIN (POST-CURE, ISO 527 / ASTM D638)
|
Property |
Value |
Test method / source |
|
Density |
≈ 1.10–1.15 g/cm³ |
ASTM D792 |
|
Viscosity (uncured liquid) |
≈ 300–450 cP @ 25 °C |
Brookfield viscometer |
|
Surface hardness |
≈ Shore D 78–83 |
ASTM D2240 |
|
Tensile strength, ultimate (UTS) |
≈ 40–50 MPa |
ASTM D638 / ISO 527 |
|
Tensile (Young's) modulus |
≈ 1500–1800 MPa |
ASTM D638 |
|
Elongation at break |
≈ 10–18 % |
ASTM D638 |
|
Flexural strength |
≈ 55–65 MPa |
ASTM D790 |
|
Izod impact, notched (23 °C) |
≈ 30–50 J/m |
ASTM D256 |
IV. RECOMMENDED PRINT PARAMETERS
Values below are the manufacturer-recommended starting points for compatible Phrozen LCD printers; specific machines may require ±10–20% adjustment based on LCD age and ambient temperature.
TABLE III RECOMMENDED PRINT AND POST-PROCESS PARAMETERS FOR ABS-LIKE RESIN
|
Parameter |
Value / range |
Notes |
|
UV wavelength |
405 nm |
Standard for Phrozen LCD printers |
|
Compatible printers |
Sonic Mini 8K / 8K S, Sonic Mighty 8K / 12K, Sonic Mega 8K |
Best paired with the indicated resolution class |
|
Layer thickness |
0.025–0.050 mm (typical 0.030 mm) |
Thinner layers improve detail at the cost of print time |
|
Normal exposure (per layer) |
≈ 2.0–3.0 s @ 8K resolution |
Test-tower validation recommended |
|
Bottom exposure |
≈ 25–35 s × 6 layers |
First-layer adhesion to build plate |
|
Lift distance / speed |
≈ 6–8 mm @ 60–100 mm/min |
Slower for fine geometries |
|
Wash medium |
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or 95% ethanol |
30–60 s wash; do not over-soak |
|
Post-cure |
405 nm UV box, 30–120 min depending on size |
Phrozen Cure Mega S or equivalent |
V. GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE (TG)
Reported / typical Tg: ≈ 60–70 °C.
Slightly lower Tg than rigid 8K resins reflects the toughened formulation; service temperature limited to ~50 °C continuous to avoid creep.
VI. HEAT DEFLECTION TEMPERATURE (HDT)
HDT defines the temperature at which a 1.27 mm-thick standardised bar deflects 0.25 mm under the specified flexural load. Two test loads are reported per ASTM D648 / ISO 75.
TABLE IV HEAT DEFLECTION TEMPERATURE OF ABS-LIKE RESIN
|
Test load |
HDT |
Test method / source |
|
0.45 MPa |
≈ 60–70 °C |
ASTM D648 |
|
1.82 MPa |
≈ 50–60 °C (estimate) |
ASTM D648 |
VII. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS AND STANDARDS
A. Tough, impact-resistant — approximates ABS plastic
Izod impact 30–50 J/m and elongation up to 18% approximate (but do not match) injection-moulded ABS. Snap-fits, hinges, and parts subject to drop impact perform substantially better than rigid hobby resins.
B. Drillable, tappable, post-machineable
Cured parts can be drilled, tapped, and lightly machined without immediate cracking — uncommon in standard photopolymers. Useful for fitting metal threaded inserts and bushings.
C. Two professional colors
Creamy White (off-white aesthetic) and Matte Gray (industrial appearance, paint-ready) — both suitable for functional prototypes and product validation.
D. Not equivalent to true ABS
Despite the name, the cured network is a crosslinked photopolymer thermoset, not a thermoplastic. Cannot be re-melted, solvent-bonded with acetone, or thermoformed like true ABS.
VIII. REPRESENTATIVE APPLICATIONS
ABS-Like Resin is typically deployed in the following applications:
1) Functional mechanical prototypes: Snap-fit assemblies, gear sets, hinged enclosures for design validation.
2) Fixtures and jigs (light duty): Workholding aids and assembly templates for low-load applications.
3) Drillable / tappable parts: Where threaded inserts or bushings will be installed post-cure.
4) Consumer product mockups: Realistic-feeling prototypes for design review and ergonomic testing.
5) Educational and STEM kits: Tough enough to survive classroom handling and disassembly.
IX. REFERENCES
[1] Phrozen Technology, “ABS-Like Resin Product Page,” 2024. Available: https://phrozen3d.com/products/abs-like-resin
[2] Phrozen Technology, “ABS-Like Creamy White SDS,” 2024. Available: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0436/6965/1618/files/SDS_ABS_like_Cream_White.pdf
[3] Phrozen Technology, “ABS-Like Matte Gray SDS,” 2024. Available: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0436/6965/1618/files/SDS_ABS_like_Matte_Gray.pdf
[4] ASTM D638-14, “Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics,” ASTM International.
[5] ASTM D2240-15, “Standard Test Method for Rubber Property — Durometer Hardness,” ASTM International.
[6] ASTM D648-18, “Standard Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load,” ASTM International.
(Image Source : Phrozen)