Engineering Problems Need Engineering Resins

Frequently asked questions

• Why do my resin printed parts keep cracking?

  Cracking comes from brittle resins with low elongation. XVN-50 tough resin offers 51.2% elongation at break and 5.9 kJ/m² notched impact resistance to flex without breaking. Switch from all-purpose resins under 5% elongation for durable prototypes and tools.

• Is there an ESD-safe 3D resin?

  Yes. ESD-R-100 is ESD-safe with surface resistivity of 10⁷ to 10¹⁰ Ω/sq and 88 Shore D hardness. Use it for jigs and fixtures handling electronics like PCBs to dissipate static charges and prevent damage.

• Why is my silicone mold still tacky after 24 hours?

  Inhibition from under-cured resin, residue, or incompatible compounds. Wash with fresh IPA , post-cure fully until non-sticky, , or apply acrylic/PVA barrier (optional). AMD-3 does not inhibit platinum-cure silicon when properly prepared and cured.

• How do I get a metal finish on resin prints?

  Electroplate for metal finish. Sand, clean with acid , apply conductive paint then electroplate with nickel or chrome. AMD-3 works with high detail and 85 Shore D hardness. Prep ensures adhesion.

• Which resin won't shatter when I drop it?

  XVN-50 engineering resin resists shattering with 51.2% elongation at break and 5.9 kJ/m² impact resistance, similar to ABS. Better than standard resins at 3-6% elongation for functional parts.

• Why are my cured prints still weak or sticky?

  Incomplete post-curing leaves prints weak. For XVN-50: wash in >90% IPA 3-5 minutes, repeat if still tacky, dry, cure under 405nm UV 5-60 minutes until non-sticky. Follow TDS.

• How do I match the flexibility of the part I'm replacing?

  Measure original hardness. For rigid like hard cap, XVN-50 at 82 Shore D. For flexible like eraser, FLX-300 at 44 Shore A with 232.3% elongation at break and 1.7% compression set at 25°C.