VERSATILE W135 RESIN

The most durable resin depends on the context of use and the type of stresses the material must withstand. However, some resins designed for 3D printing stand out for their excellent mechanical and thermal properties. For instance, high-performance technical resins, such as fibre-reinforced resins or industrial resins designed for extreme durability (e.g., Tough Resin), offer a combination of high tensile, flexural, and compressive strength. These materials are used for engineering applications, functional prototyping, and final components requiring structural strength and durability. In particular, in Weerg's catalogue, the Versatile W135 resin is one of the most durable due to its excellent isotropy and combination of mechanical strength and thermal stability. However, if even greater strength is required, some hybrid or specialised resins, such as those reinforced with glass or carbon, might be more suitable. If the context requires a resin resistant to high temperatures, the High-Temperature Resin could be the best choice. For an accurate selection, it is essential to understand the specific requirements of the application, such as loads, operating environment, and expected lifespan.

The Versatile W135 resin is a 3D printing material distinguished by several key features. First, it offers excellent isotropy, ensuring uniform mechanical properties in all directions, making it ideal for applications requiring structural reliability. Additionally, it provides long-term stability, maintaining its mechanical and thermal properties over time, ensuring the durability of the components produced. Its balance between mechanical and thermal strength makes it suitable for a wide range of sectors, including prototyping, automotive, and consumer electronics. However, it is worth noting that in thin sections, it may appear translucent. Regarding its technical properties, the W135 resin has a density of 1.1 g/cm³ and a water absorption at saturation of 0.23%. It is not suitable for food contact. It has a tensile strength of 69 MPa, an elongation at break of 8%, and a modulus of elasticity of 2940 MPa. The flexural strength is 135 MPa, the resilience is 20 kJ/m², and the hardness is 89 Shore D. The heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPa is 100 °C, while the Vicat softening temperature is 128 °C. The layer thickness is 0.10 mm, with maximum printing dimensions of 274x155x400 mm and tolerances of ± 0.30 mm for dimensions under 100 mm and ± 0.3% for dimensions over 100 mm.

The excellent isotropy of the Versatile W135 resin ensures that mechanical properties are uniform in all directions. This means that printed components maintain the same strength regardless of the orientation chosen during 3D printing. This advantage is crucial for applications requiring structural reliability, as it eliminates weak points related to geometry or build orientation. Isotropy also simplifies the design and production process. Engineers do not need to optimise the model to exploit the material’s strongest direction, saving time and resources. This feature is particularly useful for rapid prototyping and small-scale production, where consistency in mechanical properties is fundamental. In industries such as automotive, electronics, or mechanical engineering, this characteristic allows the creation of functional components that can withstand multi-directional stresses without compromising their structural integrity. The excellent isotropy, combined with the precision and surface quality offered by the Versatile W135, makes it an optimal choice for numerous applications.

The printing process used for the Versatile W135 is the MSLA (Masked Stereolithography Apparatus) technology. This method utilises a UV light source and an LCD screen to selectively cure the resin layer by layer, creating high-precision models. MSLA technology stands out for its ability to produce extremely fine details and smooth surfaces, making it ideal for applications requiring high aesthetic and geometric quality. Thanks to its uniform lighting, the printing speed is not affected by the model’s complexity but by its height, offering a significant efficiency advantage over other 3D printing processes.