For prototyping purposes clear 3D printed parts are sometimes required. These can range from a lens for an automotive headlight to a clear manifold block for fluid flow studies. No mater what the reason is, we can help you with your 3D printed clear parts. At Forerunner 3DP we have 2 different 3D printing technologies that can produce clear prototype parts:
SLA 3D Printing Accura ClearVue:
Utilized in a variety of demanding applications, 3D Systems Accura ClearVue for SLA is the most clear and colorless 3D printing material on the market. Formulated for ease-of-processing, exceptional detail and smooth surface finish, strength, durability and moisture resistance, it simulates the properties and appearance of Polycarbonate and ABS. This unique combination of clarity, material properties and processing speed makes Accura ClearVue a high performing and cost-effective choice for aesthetic and functional prototypes used to improve product development efficiency of consumer goods, automotive, aerospace and medical components.
| Post-Cured Material | ||
| MECHANICAL PROPERTIES | LARGE FRAME SLA PRINTERS | |
| MEASUREMENT | METRIC | U.S. |
| Tensile Strength (MPa | PSI) | 46-53 | 6700-7700 |
| Tensile Modulus (MPa | KSI) | 2270-2640 | 329-383 |
| Elongation at Break | 3-15 % | 3-15 % |
| Flexural Strength (MPa | PSI) | 72-84 | 10400-12200 |
| Flexural Modulus (MPa | KSI) | 1980-2310 | 287-335 |
| Impact Strength (J/m | Ft-lbs/in) | 40-58 | 0.7-1.1 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature @ 0.45 MPa (66 PSI) @ 1.82 MPa (264 PSI) | 51 °C 50 °C | 124 °F 122 °F |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)(μm/m-°C | μin/in-°F) 25-50 °C 50-100 °C | 122 155 | 68 86 |
| Glass Transition (Tg) | 62 °C | 144 °F |
| Hardness, Shore D | 80 | 80 |
| Water Absorption | 0.3 % | |
| Solid Density (g/cm3 | lbs/in3) @ 25 °C (77 °F) | 1.17 | 0.042 |
| OPTICAL PROPERTIES | ||
| MEASUREMENT | VALUE | |
| Haze @ 0.495 mm (0.195 in) | 4.3 % | |
| Luminous Transmittance @ 0.495 mm (0.195 in) | 87.2 % | |
| Diffuse Transmittance @ 0.495 mm (0.195 in) | 3.8 % | |
| Index of Refraction | 1.508 | |
| L* | 95.45 | |
| a* | -0.54 | |
| b* | 1.36 |
Accura ClearVue material spec sheet
Examples of 3D printed clear parts using SLA 3D Printing:
SLA 3D Printing Clear General Purpose:
Clear Resin is a rigid material that polishes to near optical transparency, making it ideal for working with light or showcasing internal features.
- High Detail. For demanding applications, our carefully-engineered resins capture the finest features in your model.
- Strong and Precise. These resins create accurate and robust parts, ideal for rapid prototyping, functional testing and product development.
- Smooth Surface Finish. Perfectly smooth right out of the printer, parts printed on our stereolithography printers have the polish and finish of a final product.
| MATERIAL PROPERTIES DATA | |||
| Metric | ENGLISH | METHOD | |
| Tensile Properties | |||
| Ultimate Tensile Strength | 65 MPa | 9380 psi | ASTM D638-14 |
| Tensile Modulus | 2.8 GPa | 402 ksi | ASTM D638-14 |
| Elongation at Break | 6% | 6% | ASTM D638-14 |
| Flexural Properties | |||
| Flexural Modulus | 2.2 GPa | 320 psi | ASTM D 790-15 |
| Impact Properties | |||
| Notched Izod | 25 J/m | 0.46 ft-lbf/in | ASTM D256-10 |
| Thermal Properties | |||
| Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa | 58 °C | 137 °F | ASTM D 648-16 |
| Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa | 73 °C | 134 °F | ASTM D 648-16 |
General Clear material spec sheet
Examples of 3D printed clear parts using SLA 3D Printing:
SLA 3D Printing Somos WaterShed XC 11122:
As one of the industry’s most popular materials, Somos WaterShed XC 11122 is the clear solution for numerous applications. Whether you’re a Designer looking for highly detailed parts with superior clarity and water resistance, or an Engineer focusing on durability for functional testing. Somos WaterShed XC 11122 mimics the look and feel of clear thermoplastics, such as ABS and PBT. Somos WaterShed XC 11122 also produces 3D printed clear parts that are optically clear parts with a smooth finish and it’s ease of use helps to shorten product development and testing. This versatility means Somos WaterShed XC 11122 is the ideal material in markets such as automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics for applications including packaging, RTV patterns, durable concept models, wind tunnel testing and investment casting patterns.
| Mechanical / Thermal Properties | Mechanical Properties | Mechanical Properties | Mechanical Properties |
| ASTM Method | Property Description | Metric | Imperial |
| D638M | Tensile Strength at Break | 50.4 MPa | 7.3 ksi |
| D638M | Elongation at Break | 15.5% | 15.5% |
| D638M | Elongation at Yield | 3% | 3% |
| D638M | Tensile Modulus | 2,770 MPa | 402 ksi |
| D790M | Flexural Strength | 68.7 MPa | 10.0 ks |
| D2240 | Flexural Modulus | 2,205 MPa | 320 ksi |
| D256A | Izod Impact (Notched) | 25 J/m | 0.47 ft-lb/in |
| D648 | HDT @ 0.46 MPa (66 psi) | 50°C | 122°F |
| D648 | HDT @ 1.81 MPa (264 psi) | 49°C | 120°F |
Somos WaterShed XC 11122 material spec sheet
Examples of 3D printed clear parts using SLA 3D Printing:
PolyJet 3D Printing VeroClear:
VeroClear is a transparent material that simulates PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), commonly known as acrylic. Like PMMA, VeroClear is used as an alternative to glass and is ideal for concept modeling and design verification of clear parts such as eyewear, light covers, and medical devices. It offers strength, stiffness, elongation and impact resistance, and the ability to blend with other materials for a range of opacities, hues, and hardness. VeroClear enables visualization of internal components and features, and simulation of glass ideal for form and fit testing of see-through parts.
| Mechanical / Thermal Properties | Mechanical Properties | Mechanical Properties | Mechanical Properties |
| ASTM Method | Property Description | Metric | Imperial |
| D638M | Tensile Strength | 50-65 MPa | 7,250-9,450 psi |
| D638M | Elongation at Break | 10-25% | 10-25% |
| D638M | Modulus of Elasticity | 2,000-3,000 MPa | 290,000-435,000 psi |
| D790M | Flexural Strength | 75-110 MPa | 11,000-16,000 psi |
| D2240 | Flexural Modulus | 2,200-3,200 MPa | 320,000-465,000 psi |
| D256A | Izod Impact (Notched) | 20-30 J/m | 0.375-0.562 ft-lb/inch |
| D648 | HDT @ 0.46 MPa (66 psi) | 45-50 °C | 113-122 °F |
| D648 | HDT @ 1.81 MPa (264 psi) | 45-50 °C | 113-122 °F |
View / Download the VeroClear data sheet
Examples of clear 3D Printed parts using PolyJet 3D Printing:
| Display Covers | Valve Blocks and Flow Analysis |
| Drinking Glasses | Bottles and Containers |
| Drinks Vessels | Home Vacuum Cleaner Parts |
| Illumination Effects | Wind Tunnel Applications |
| Light Lenses | Light Pipes |
| Display Trays | Clear Prototypes That Allow For Internal Components To Be Seen |
Standard finishes offered for clear 3D Printed parts:
- Clear – Level 1 Strip & Ship – Excess resin is cleaned off the parts and supports are removed. Support surfaces are not sanded and are left rough. Part is transparent but layer lines are visible and looking through the part will be blurry.
- Unless specified this is the finish all parts we print are shipped with.
- Cost: FREE
- Clear – Level 1 Bead Blast – Support surfaces are sanded. Bead blast applied to entire part for uniform finish. Parts have a smoked appearance like a milk jug.
- Cost: $
- Clear – Level 2 Rough Coat – Rough support areas are sanded smooth and the part is clear coated, layer lines will be visible in the clear coat but you can easily see through the part and make out details on the other side.
- Cost: $$$
- Clear – Level 3 Optical Coat – Layer lines removed from the entire part by hand sanding, Part is then clear coated and its as close to being optically clear* as is possible.
- Cost: $$$$
NOTE:
- *There is no such thing as a truly “optically clear” 3D printed part. To the human eye the part will appear clear like glass, but due to the part being built with layers it will scatter things like light, lasers, and sometimes vision systems in unpredictable ways.
