Resin for 3D printer BASF Ultracur3D RG 1100 – 1 kg – Clear

Ultracur3D® RG 1100: Forward AM’s Groundbreaking Engineering Resin – The Complete Guide

In the world of professional 3D printing, where the line between prototyping and series production is becoming increasingly blurred, choosing the right material is crucial. Ultracur3D® RG 1100, developed by Forward AM (a brand owned by BASF, which recently began a new chapter by joining forces with Stratasys), is a high-end polyurethane-based engineering resin designed for the most demanding industrial applications. If you are looking for a material that combines exceptional stiffness, high heat resistance and the durability characteristic of injection-moulded parts, this product is for you.

With a Young’s modulus of 3080 MPa, parts printed with this resin exhibit tremendous rigidity, preventing deformation under mechanical stress. In turn, a tensile strength of 70 MPa places this material at the forefront of rigid resins available on the market.

Exceptional thermal and chemical resistance

One of the most important advantages of Ultracur3D® RG 1100 is its impressive resistance to high temperatures. With an HDT rating of 116°C, this material can safely operate in environments where standard resins would soften or deform. This is particularly important in the automotive industry and in the manufacture of electronic enclosures, where components are exposed to heat generated by motors or integrated circuits.

In addition, this resin has very high chemical resistance and low water absorption (only 0.32% in 24 hours). In practice, this means that printed components do not swell or lose their mechanical properties when exposed to moisture or contact with common chemicals. Long-term UV stability ensures that parts exposed to sunlight will not become brittle or change their properties over time, allowing them to be used in outdoor applications.

Wide range of industrial applications

Thanks to its unique properties, Ultracur3D® RG 1100 is used in many industrial sectors. Forward AM specialists point to several key areas where this resin works best:

• Automotive connectors: Precision components requiring resistance to vibration and temperatures under the bonnet of a vehicle.
• Demanding engineering parts: Gears, levers and other load-bearing components.
• External housings and covers: Components exposed to the elements and UV radiation.
• Brackets: Heavy-duty industrial fasteners that must remain rigid for years of service.

Case Study: Innovations using Ultracur3D® RG 1100

The practical application of the material is best illustrated by market implementations. Forward AM works with innovation leaders to push the boundaries of 3D printing. One example is the collaboration with MAGNOTHERM, which has created an eco-friendly beverage cooler that utilises the magnetocaloric effect. Unlike traditional refrigeration devices, this solution does not rely on harmful refrigerants. The MAGNOTHERM team used 3D solutions from Forward AM, including Rigid series resins, for both prototyping and final component production, resulting in a durable and efficient product.

Another fascinating example is the footwear industry. Forward AM, in collaboration with BASF Polyurethanes, has successfully tested a solution using Ultracur3D® RG 1100 B resin to create shoe moulds. Thanks to additive technology, mould production time has been reduced from weeks to just a few days. This allows for much faster design iterations and generates measurable cost savings, revolutionising the process of bringing new footwear models to market.

Comparison within the Ultracur3D® Rigid line

When choosing a resin, it is important to understand where Ultracur3D® RG 1100 stands in relation to other products in the same line. Forward AM offers a variety of Rigid materials to meet the specific needs of users:

• Ultracur3D® RG 35: A resin offering an optimal balance between strength, stiffness and temperature resistance. It is easy to polish and has low shrinkage.
• Ultracur3D® RG 1100: Our hero, focused on maximum stiffness and high HDT (116°C) for engineering applications.
• Ultracur3D® RG 3280: A ceramic-reinforced material with extreme rigidity and even higher heat resistance. Despite its fillers, it is very easy and quick to print.
• Ultracur3D® RG 9400 B FR: Flame-retardant resin (UL 94 V-0 class), designed for use in extremely high temperatures (HDT above 250°C), ideal for the aerospace and electronics industries.

Forward AM ecosystem and process support

When you purchase Ultracur3D® RG 1100, you don’t just get a bottle of resin – you get access to an entire technical support ecosystem. Forward AM provides detailed user guidelines and technical data sheets (TDS) to help optimise the printing process on various devices. This material is compatible with many LCD/DLP printers, and the material data is integrated with modern design and simulation software such as Ultrasim® 3D.

For the most demanding projects, Ultrasim® 3D engineering services are available, including lattice design, FEA simulations and additive manufacturing testing (TfAM). This allows the weight of the part to be optimised while maintaining its strength, which, in combination with a rigid material such as RG 1100, delivers incredible engineering results.

Are you ready to take your production to the next level? Invest in Ultracur3D® RG 1100 and see how advanced chemistry from BASF can change your approach to 3D printing. Contact us today for a personalised commercial offer or professional advice on material selection. Our team of experts will be happy to answer your questions and help you implement this groundbreaking technology in your business.

Questions and answers (Q&A)

1. What are the main advantages of Ultracur3D® RG 1100 resin compared to standard resins?
The main advantages are extremely high stiffness (Young’s modulus 3080 MPa), very high heat resistance (HDT 116°C) and excellent chemical resistance and low water absorption. In addition, the material offers long-term UV stability, making it suitable for outdoor applications.

2. Is Ultracur3D® RG 1100 suitable for the production of end-use parts?
Yes, it is an engineering-grade resin with mechanical properties comparable to those of injection-moulded plastics, allowing it to be used in the production of functional end-use components.

3. What is the heat deflection temperature (HDT) for this material?
The heat deflection temperature is 116 °C, which allows the parts to be used in high-temperature environments.

4. Does this material absorb moisture?
Ultracur3D® RG 1100 has very low water absorption, which is only 0.32% after 24 hours of immersion.

5. What are some examples of applications for this resin in the automotive industry?
This resin is ideal for the production of automotive connectors, brackets, handles and exterior vehicle components due to its thermal and mechanical stability.

6. How does the RG 1100 version differ from the RG 1100 B version?
Sources mention both versions in the context of user guidelines and technical data sheets. The RG 1100 B version has been specifically tested in shoe moulding processes, which suggests optimisation for specific industrial processes or a difference in colour (usually the letter ‘B’ stands for Black).

7. Is specialised software required to work with this resin?
Although not required for printing itself, Ultracur3D® material data is integrated with the advanced Ultrasim® 3D simulation software, allowing for professional stress analysis and design optimisation.

8. Is Ultracur3D® RG 1100 stable outdoors?
Yes, the material exhibits long-term stability under UV radiation, which prevents degradation of the mechanical properties of parts exposed to sunlight.

9. How does RG 1100 resin compare to RG 3280?
RG 1100 is a pure polyurethane resin with high rigidity, while RG 3280 is a ceramic-filled resin, which gives it even higher rigidity and thermal resistance while maintaining ease of printing.

10. Where can I find detailed printing parameters for my device?
Detailed guidelines can be found in the “User Guideline” document dedicated to Ultracur3D® RG 1100, which contains instructions on material preparation, exposure parameters and post-processing.

The above description has been prepared based on the official technical documentation of Forward AM (BASF) to provide you with reliable knowledge about the product. By combining advanced material engineering with the versatility of 3D printing, Ultracur3D® RG 1100 becomes the foundation for modern industrial implementations. Feel free to contact us and let’s build the future of additive manufacturing together!

Content based on sources provided by Forward AM. Please note that exact results may depend on the specifics of your 3D printer and environmental conditions. We always recommend performing calibration tests before starting series production.