3D Systems VisiJet RCL-ENT-A80 Multi-Material Composites (VisiJet CR-CL 200** + VisiJet CE-NT)

When a cardiovascular procedure trainer must match calcified plaque and annular recoil

Anatomical models used for transcatheter valve deployment and surgical planning require a compliance transition between rigid calcified regions and the surrounding elastomeric tissue. CR-CL 200 provides the rigid transparent segments that represent calcified plaque or cortical bone, while CE-NT is blended to achieve the A80 target for aortic annulus or arterial wall analogues. Segmentation from clinical CT data is reconstructed at 1.25 mm slice thickness and 0.45 mm in-plane resolution; the voxel gradient is mapped at the material boundary in 3D Sprint so that the transition zone is 3–5 mm wide. The model is printed on a ProJet MJP 5600 platform using multi-material mode; after support removal, the CE-NT-rich surfaces receive a 30 min ultrasonic rinse at ambient temperature to eliminate wax from anatomical recesses. Post-curing follows the supplier’s UV post-cure protocol in the 365–405 nm range; overexposure changes the A80 surface to a harder, lower-elongation state that misrepresents soft-tissue recoil. The rigid CR-CL 200 phase is evaluated by ASTM D638 Type IV tensile testing, while the A80 phase is assessed by ASTM D412 for tensile elongation and ASTM D2240 for durometer. Biocompatibility considerations are limited to short-term skin and instrument contact; testing under ISO 10993-5 and ISO 10993-10 is conducted only when the model enters a clinical skills laboratory, and the material is not sold as an implantable device. Friction with silicone sealants and lubricants is dependent on surface post-processing; a lightly abraded CE-NT surface provides more stable tactile feedback than a glossy as-jetted surface. In multi-user skills centres, the models are cleaned between sessions with quaternary ammonium disinfectants; repeated exposure to 0.5 % quaternary ammonium in aqueous solution has not shown visible surface degradation over 100 cycles, though published data for this specific configuration is limited.

Overmoulded handheld terminal housings with transparent lenses and elastomeric keypads

Pre-production validation of ruggedized handheld terminals frequently isolates adhesive delamination as the first failure mode when a secondary silicone boot is bonded to a rigid shell. RCL-ENT-A80 is built with CR-CL 200 in the same multi-material print so that the snap-fit chassis, transparent display lens, button membrane, and corner impact bumpers are one thermoset structure without a silicone-to-plastic bond line. The transparent CR-CL 200 lens is printed with a 2 mm flat section and tested for light transmission by ASTM D1003; haze is not used as a pass criterion unless the lens remains unpolished, because jetted surfaces have inherent layer roughness. The A80 button membrane is built at 1.2 mm thickness with a 0.6 mm tab hinge; CE-NT content is adjusted in the printer software until the target A80 is reached, while the surrounding case remains 100 % CR-CL 200. Drop testing is performed under IEC 60068-2-31 with a 0.8 m free fall onto a granite impact surface; each unit is dropped on 6 faces. The acceptance criterion is no CR-CL 200 lens crack and no A80 button tear greater than 1.0 mm at the hinge root. The primary process risk is undercuring at the transition from clear rigid to A80: if the UV post-cure is truncated below the manufacturer’s specified dose, the button hinge delaminates after repeated flexure because the interpenetrating network has not reached full crosslink density. Conversely, prolonged post-cure embrittles the elastomer and reduces elongation before tear under ASTM D412; published data for the exact dose-hardness curve of RCL-ENT-A80 is limited. In a multi-part build on a ProJet MJP 5600, the Z-axis orientation of the lens is set to minimise staircase artefact; the lens is polished with 400–1200 grit abrasive followed by a clear acrylic coat when optical clarity is specified.

What changes when a convoluted duct must satisfy cyclic flexure without root tearing?

Convoluted ducts for laboratory fume extraction and low-pressure gas transport are printed with CR-CL 200 rigid end flanges and CE-NT-rich convolutions in a continuous material gradient. The primary design conflict is not build resolution but tear initiation at the inner root radius. The root radius is sized at 1.5–2.0 mm for a 2.0 mm nominal wall, because the bending strain at the inner root under a ±25° flex cycle is governed by the ratio of root radius to wall thickness; below 0.75 mm, crack nucleation is observed before 10⁵ cycles in pre-production tests. The elbow section is built with a 5 mm convolution pitch and 3 mm depth; the flange connection zone uses CR-CL 200 for dimensional stability and transparency. Mechanical testing includes ASTM D624 die C tear strength on the elastomer phase and ASTM D638 Type IV tensile on the rigid flange. Cyclic flexure is conducted on a servo-hydraulic fixture with the duct held at one end and loaded at 1 Hz; the A80 composite is inspected at 10³, 10⁴, and 10⁵ cycles for root cracks using 5× optical magnification. When the part is built with the convolution axis parallel to the print-head travel, wall thickness variation around the root is lower than with a 45° orientation; however, published data for this specific configuration is limited to internal trial runs. Support wax tends to accumulate in the convolution troughs; a second ultrasonic rinse at 35–40 °C reduces residual wax that would otherwise mask incipient cracks during inspection. The finished duct is leak-checked at 0.3 MPa air pressure with pressure-decay measurement according to ISO 5208-1. The A80 elastomer remains within service temperature limits of 5–40 °C; sustained exposure above 50 °C increases compression set under ASTM D395 Method B and reduces root recovery after flexure.

Vibration-damped mounting brackets for semiconductor wafer-handling robots use a rigid CR-CL 200 base plate and a RCL-ENT-A80 elastomer isolator printed as a single part. The isolator is a 12 mm thick annular pad with a 60 mm outer diameter and a 25 mm inner locating bore; the rigid top and bottom plates are functionally integrated, eliminating two bolted joints and a bonded rubber-metal interface. Dynamic stiffness of the elastomer element is measured by ISO 10846-2 between 20 Hz and 200 Hz under 0.1 mm displacement amplitude. The A80 hardness is selected because it provides a higher load capacity than the CE-NT-only base while retaining sufficient isolation for angular displacements below 1°. The part is post-cured in a UV chamber with the manufacturer’s specified dose; inadequate post-cure leaves the core of the 12 mm section under-cured and lowers the loss factor above 100 Hz, whereas overpost-cure increases the dynamic stiffness and shifts the first resonance back into the servo bandwidth. The rigid CR-CL 200 plates are checked for flatness using a granite surface plate and a dial indicator; deviation is held below 0.05 mm across the 60 mm outer diameter to avoid rocking in the robot end-effector. The assembly is exposed to a random vibration profile from 10 Hz to 500 Hz at 5 g RMS; the acceptance criterion is no shift in the first resonance beyond 10 %. Creep of A80 at room temperature under continuous 0.3 MPa shear stress is monitored over 72 h; published data for this specific configuration is limited, so each bracket geometry is qualified separately.

Quantifying seal-root crack initiation after rapid decompression in oil-free pneumatic connectors

In oil-free pneumatic connector service, rapid decompression cycling tests the seal lip recovery of a printed 2.5 mm cross-section A80 ring integrated into a CR-CL 200 quick-disconnect body. The seal is compressed axially by 20 % of its free height when the connector is engaged; after 100,000 cycles from 0 MPa to 0.6 MPa at 0.5 Hz, the lip is inspected for permanent set according to ASTM D395 Method B and for tear propagation under ASTM D624 die C. Leakage classification follows ISO 5208-1 rate A for the valve seat; the rigid CR-CL 200 body must retain dimensional stability after thermal cycling from 5 °C to 40 °C. Because compressed air in industrial plants may carry oil mist, a pre-production immersion in ISO VG 32 mineral oil for 168 h is conducted under ISO 1817; a volume change above 5 % indicates that the oil concentration exceeds the compatibility limit of the A80 composite and requires an oil-free air supply or a secondary polyurethane seal. The main process conflict is the transition zone between the A80 ring and the rigid CR-CL 200 body: if the digital blend gradient is too abrupt, repeated engagement loads concentrate at the root and produce a circumferential crack after fewer than 10⁵ cycles. The transition is therefore programmed as a 3 mm gradient and the part is oriented with the seal ring normal to the Z-axis to minimise support wax entrapment. Post-cure is performed after full support removal; residual wax at the root is detected by ultraviolet inspection of the clear CR-CL 200 body. Published data for RCL-ENT-A80 in dynamic pneumatic seal service is limited, so qualification is repeated for each new connector geometry and compressed-air contamination class.

3D Systems VisiJet RCL-ENT-A80 Multi-Material Composite is a co-dispensed material-jetting system formed from VisiJet CR-CL 200** rigid clear resin and VisiJet CE-NT elastomeric natural resin. The designation couples the two feedstocks and identifies a target durometer of Shore A 80 when tested under ASTM D2240. On MultiJet Printing equipment with two resin channels, the build algorithm alternates or intermixes droplets of the rigid and elastomeric components to create a bulk flexible material whose load–deflection response is positioned between a low-durometer natural elastomer and a high-modulus rigid transparent resin. This product should not be described as a two-shot overmold; it is an intermediate-hardness digital elastomer generated by spatial distribution of stiff domains within an elastomeric matrix. The resulting composite is evaluated for applications in seals, gaskets, ergonomic contact surfaces, closures, and vibration-isolation elements where a hardness above that of CE-NT is required without moving to a rigid plastic.

Material Pairing and the A80 Durometer Target

The CR-CL 200** component supplies the rigid clear resin phase. Manufacturer-published property profiles place its tensile modulus in the 1,600–2,100 MPa band under ASTM D638 and its elongation at break below 10%. These characteristics reduce the chain mobility of the CE-NT matrix when the two materials are jetted into the A80 build pattern. CE-NT is an elastomeric natural resin with a Shore A 27 rating under ASTM D2240, a tensile modulus below 5 MPa, and elongation at break above 100%. Combining the two resins in the RCL-ENT-A80 algorithm raises the durometer from 27 to 80 Shore A by creating distributed rigid domains that limit low-strain deformation while preserving elastomeric recovery.

The A80 value is not a post-applied coating, and it is not a single-resin modification of CE-NT. It results from the spatial ratio of CR-CL 200** to CE-NT in the printed voxel matrix. Process capability therefore depends on jetting repeatability: loss of a nozzle, a reservoir temperature excursion, or a support-material contamination event can shift the local rigid-domain concentration and produce hardness drift across the build envelope. Users who require a different durometer should select the corresponding RCL-ENT grade rather than adjusting the machine ratio manually; the A80 product is qualified only for the controlled ratio that yields Shore A 80 under ASTM D2240.

What Mechanical Values Are Reported for the Component Resin Pair?

For CE-NT, typical reported values include tensile modulus below 5 MPa and elongation at break above 100% under ASTM D638, and tear strength in the 4–6 kN/m band under ASTM D624. For CR-CL 200**, typical values include tensile strength in the 38–48 MPa range, tensile modulus in the 1,600–2,100 MPa range, elongation at break between 4% and 8%, and heat deflection temperature in the 48–55 °C band at 0.455 MPa under ASTM D648. The rigid phase also shows flexural modulus in the 1,500–2,000 MPa range under ISO 178.

Full mechanical data for the RCL-ENT-A80 composite are not always published with the same granularity. The available specification is the Shore A 80 target under ASTM D2240. When tear, compression set, or fatigue values are required, the manufacturer’s application engineering group should be engaged because published data for this specific configuration are limited. The table below consolidates the component-level values that can be referenced in a material comparison.

Indicative Published Values for RCL-ENT-A80 Input Resins
Material	Property	Value	Standard
VisiJet CE-NT	Hardness	27 Shore A	ASTM D2240
VisiJet CE-NT	Tensile modulus	< 5 MPa	ASTM D638
VisiJet CE-NT	Elongation at break	> 100%	ASTM D638
VisiJet CE-NT	Tear strength	4–6 kN/m	ASTM D624
VisiJet CR-CL 200**	Tensile modulus	1,600–2,100 MPa	ASTM D638
VisiJet CR-CL 200**	Tensile strength	38–48 MPa	ASTM D638
VisiJet CR-CL 200**	Elongation at break	4–8%	ASTM D638
VisiJet CR-CL 200**	Heat deflection temperature	48–55 °C at 0.455 MPa	ASTM D648
RCL-ENT-A80	Target hardness	80 Shore A	ASTM D2240
RCL-ENT-A80	Full mechanical data	Limited published values	Consult manufacturer

On 3D Systems MultiJet Printing platforms such as the ProJet MJP 2500/2500 Plus or ProJet MJP 3600 series, RCL-ENT-A80 is processed with separate heated reservoirs for the two feedstocks. The platform jets both resins through a shared or parallel piezoelectric printhead array at layer thicknesses commonly specified as 16 μm or 32 μm; the final durometer depends on the accuracy of the droplet ratio and the printhead’s jetting health. Built parts are supported by a wax or wax-composite support material. After the build, support is removed by heating the part to the support-melting point and washing in a solvent-based or water-based cleaning system. Because CE-NT is solvent-sensitive, the cleaning step is a critical control point. Excessive immersion in isopropyl alcohol or another cleaning fluid can swell the elastomeric phase, reduce Shore A 80 hardness, and shift dimensional tolerances beyond the print-system repeatability range. Wash time, bath temperature, and part orientation should be fixed in the build plan, and a durometer coupon should be included in the same build for incoming inspection.

The composite is conditioned before measurement in accordance with ASTM D618, normally at 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5 % RH for 24 h. Durometer testing under ASTM D2240 requires a specimen thickness sufficient to eliminate back-side effects. Thin sections below the test-method minimum can produce falsely high readings because the rigid CR-CL 200** domains are supported by the durometer stage. For quality control, a 6 mm thick coupon or a stacked assembly that meets the standard’s minimum specimen requirements should be used.

When RCL-ENT-A80 Replaces Two-Shot Molding or Bonded Assemblies

RCL-ENT-A80 is specified when a product requires a flexible, rubber-like response at Shore A 80 but the program cannot absorb the lead time or tooling cost of two-shot injection molding. Typical uses include short-run seals, gaskets, bellows, stoppers, ergonomic grips, and protective end caps. The composite is not a direct replacement for a two-shot overmold; it does not create a discrete rigid shell with an elastomeric skin. Instead, the whole part behaves as an elastomer with stiffening domains distributed through the matrix. Finite-element material cards should therefore use an isotropic or near-isotropic elastomer model with measured tensile and compression values, not a laminate stack of CR-CL 200** and CE-NT.

Compared with CE-NT alone, RCL-ENT-A80 offers a higher seating force and reduced extrusion-gap sensitivity in flange seals, but it has lower low-strain conformability. Compared with CR-CL 200**, the composite reduces stiffness by an order of magnitude and replaces rigid transparency with a softer, ductile response; it is not suitable where optical clarity is the primary requirement. Compared with fused-filament thermoplastic elastomer components, MJP composite parts may exhibit lower surface roughness and finer layer-dependent geometry, but they may be constrained by print-envelope size and by the need for wax-support removal in internal channels.

Design rules for RCL-ENT-A80 follow the governing MJP platform. Wall sections below 1 mm can produce soft-glue behavior in flexural regions, and thin diaphragms may curve after cleaning because of solvent absorption. Internal channels should include drain holes at both ends to permit support material and cleaning fluid removal. If a channel is sealed, residual support wax can cure into a plug that changes the effective Shore A response and restricts flow in a functional part.

What Distinguishes This Composite from Other Elastomer Grades in the VisiJet Portfolio?

Within the VisiJet multi-material range, RCL-ENT-A80 occupies the upper-middle durometer band. Lower-durometer RCL-ENT grades reduce the proportion of CR-CL 200** and approach the behavior of CE-NT; higher-durometer grades increase rigid-domain continuity and begin to approach the tensile modulus of the rigid resin. The A80 grade is often selected for applications that require a gasket to seat without overtightening but still resist extrusion under bolt load. The specific choice between A80 and adjacent grades is made by printing durometer tiles across the required thickness and measuring them under ASTM D2240 after conditioning to ASTM D618. Because digital materials in the MJP process can show thickness-dependent durometer at low thickness, comparison tiles should match the production wall thickness rather than a standard block.

In comparison with cast polyurethane elastomers at Shore A 80, RCL-ENT-A80 can produce complex small-batch geometries without tooling, but it may exhibit lower tear propagation resistance and higher sensitivity to cleaning fluids. Published data comparing RCL-ENT-A80 to a specific cast polyurethane system are limited; substitution should be confirmed by tear testing under ASTM D624 and compression-set testing under ASTM D395 if the application involves repeated clamping or dynamic sealing.

Regulatory documentation for VisiJet CR-CL 200** and VisiJet CE-NT should be consulted before production deployment. 3D Systems publishes Safety Data Sheets, REACH Article 33 disclosures, and RoHS 2011/65/EU statements for the source resins. Unreacted photopolymer residues and cleaning solvents require occupational hygiene controls; gloves, ventilation, and waste handling procedures must follow the Safety Data Sheet. No food-contact approval should be assumed for the composite; compliance for food, medical, or pharmaceutical contact must be validated under the applicable regulation, such as FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 or ISO 10993 for medical devices, after production, cleaning, and post-cure validation. Prolonged immersion in ketones, esters, or aromatic hydrocarbons can swell the CE-NT phase and reduce the Shore A 80 hardness; chemical compatibility should be evaluated by ASTM D471 immersion testing before use in service. The upper continuous-use temperature for this composite is not fully specified in all public documents; published data for the specific RCL-ENT-A80 configuration are limited, so thermal soak trials are recommended when the application exceeds 40 °C in service.

HS Code	421506
Manufacturer	3D Systems
Product Name	VisiJet RCL-ENT-A80 Multi-Material Composites
Material Type	Multi-Material Composite
Components	VisiJet CR-CL 200 + VisiJet CE-NT
Hardness	80 Shore A
Tensile Strength	9.0 MPa
Tensile Modulus	16 MPa
Elongation At Break	150%
Flexural Strength	3.0 MPa
Flexural Modulus	11 MPa
Tear Strength	25 kN/m
Impact Strength	150 J/m
Heat Deflection Temperature	45°C
Density	1.12 g/cm³
Color	Clear

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