| HS Code | 485081 |
| Product Name | VisiJet SL e-Stone |
| Manufacturer | 3D Systems |
| Technology | Stereolithography (SLA) |
| Material Type | Composite resin |
| Color | Off-white |
| Tensile Strength | 58 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | 2600 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 3% |
| Flexural Strength | 95 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2800 MPa |
| Hardness | 85 Shore D |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 65 °C at 0.45 MPa |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 65 °C |
| Density | 1.20 g/cm³ |
| Viscosity | 300 cP at 30 °C |
| Biocompatibility | ISO 10993-1 |
| Layer Thickness | 0.05–0.15 mm |
As an accredited 3D Systems VisiJet SL e-Stone™ factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | |
| Shipping | |
| Storage |
Investment casting foundries adapting stereolithography patterns to gold and silver work frequently validate burn-out by placing a sacrificial pattern inside a muffle furnace with three independently controlled heating zones. The green pattern is attached to a wax sprue assembly; tree diameter and pattern density are balanced against the thermal expansion of the gypsum-bonded investment. A typical gypsum-bonded investment batch uses a water-to-powder ratio between 0.37:1 and 0.40:1 by weight, mixed under vacuum at 0.08 MPa for 90 s. Burnout of the photopolymer pattern is conducted in stages: ramp to 150 °C at 2 °C/min, hold 60 min, ramp to 300 °C at 3 °C/min, hold 30 min, ramp to 650 °C at 4 °C/min, hold 2 h. The flask is then conditioned to the casting temperature for the alloy. Silver at 980 °C and 18-carat gold at 1020 °C require the carbon residue to be below 0.05 wt% before pour. Because product-specific published data for the residual ash of VisiJet SL e-Stone™ under these exact firing conditions is limited, the foundry must qualify each flask lot with differential thermal analysis and residual ash coupons. Final precious-metal articles that incorporate nickel-bearing white gold alloys are tested for nickel release according to EN 1811:2011 where the finished item is intended for prolonged skin contact. Finished articles include ring bands, hollow bangles, pendant settings, clasp bodies, and filigree components.
The dominant failure mode in platinum-catalysed RTV tooling is cure inhibition at the pattern surface, not dimensional drift. Addition-cure silicones react through a hydrosilylation mechanism that is sensitive to trace amines, sulfur compounds, and residual uncured acrylate species. When a VisiJet SL e-Stone™ master pattern is used, the surface is post-cured first, then stored at 23 °C and 50% RH for 24–48 h to allow volatiles to desorb. A barrier coat of acrylic lacquer or polyvinyl alcohol is applied at 15–25 µm dry film thickness. If the part geometry prohibits an even barrier coat, a tin-catalysed condensation-cure RTV silicone is selected instead. The mixed silicone is de-aired at 0.09 MPa for 10 min and poured over the pattern in a mold frame with 8–12 mm wall clearance. Cure is performed at 25 °C for 16–24 h. On production-scale vacuum casting machines, the primary bottleneck is not pattern accuracy but inhibition-induced surface tack at the mold interface. The resulting cavity is used for vacuum casting of two-component polyurethane systems with Shore A hardness from 70 to 90. End products include functional prototypes, gaskets, overmolded grips, and short-run enclosures for consumer devices.
Industrial investment casting cells use the photopolymer pattern as a sacrificial core for ceramic shell construction. The primary slurry is prepared with colloidal silica binder at 30% SiO₂ solids, fused silica flour screened to 200–325 mesh, and a wetting agent added at 0.2–0.5 wt% of slurry mass. Slurry viscosity is held at 18–25 s on a Zahn cup #4. The pattern is dipped, drained, and stuccoed with coarse alumina; each layer is dried at 24 °C and 55% RH for 4–6 h. The shell is built to 7–9 coats. Pattern removal is performed in a steam autoclave at 150–170 °C and 0.5–0.6 MPa. Firing follows at 1050 °C for 2 h. Residual ash is controlled at below 0.05 wt% of pattern mass. Aluminum alloys are poured at 720–760 °C, silicon bronze at 1050–1150 °C, and zinc alloys at 420–480 °C. Published data for this specific e-Stone formulation in ceramic shell systems remains limited; each foundry must validate shell cracking and ash residue independently. Foundry waste gases are controlled under local permits implementing IED 2010/75/EU. Finished engineering components include valve bodies, impellers, pump housings, brackets, and thin-wall sensor enclosures.
| Standard or directive | Purpose | Application sector | Verification limit or method condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| REACH 1907/2006 Annex XVII | Restricted substances and safety data sheet obligations for liquid resin | All downstream processing | SVHC communication threshold 0.1% w/w per article |
| RoHS 2011/65/EU Annex II | Homogeneous material restrictions for electrical/electronic equipment | Vacuum-cast enclosures and consumer device prototypes | 0.1% w/w lead, 0.01% w/w cadmium |
| ASTM D638-14 | Tensile properties of post-cured solid specimens | Pattern handling and mold staking | Lot-to-lot tensile modulus acceptance range supplier-defined |
| ASTM D648-18 | Heat deflection temperature at 0.455 MPa | Burnout and mold curing thermal limits | Failure temperature recorded during qualification |
| ISO 75-2:2013 | HDT in flexural mode | Ceramic shell flash firing and RTV oven curing | Method B, 0.45 MPa |
| ASTM D256-10 | Notched Izod impact strength | Master pattern durability during mold demold | Impact toughness acceptance range supplier-defined |
Architectural presentation models and museum exhibit components are produced directly from the photopolymer when the stone-like surface finish and rigidity are required. Print layer height is selected at 32 µm or 50 µm based on curved wall faceting and build time. The part is oriented at 15° incline, and drain holes are placed in low-visibility faces to avoid resin traps and trapped islands. Supports are removed before full cure. Edge treatment uses a No. 15 scalpel and wet sanding with P400 grit; the surface is sealed with water-based polyurethane at 25 µm dry film thickness. Because no food-contact or medical claim is implied, the regulatory burden is limited to REACH Article 33 communication for any SVHC above 0.1% w/w in the printed article. Finished models include site models, interior study models, topographic relief models, and artifact replicas.
Conservation-grade replication requires that the printed object be isolated from original artifacts with a barrier unless compatibility is demonstrated through a modified Oddy test. Direct contact with paper, textiles, or archaeological metals is not recommended without a sealed interlayer because the unreacted monomer diffusion rate from thermoset photopolymers can accelerate corrosion in lead and copper alloys. The replica is printed at 32 µm layer height, post-cured, and coated with a conservation-grade acrylic barrier at 10–15 µm dry film thickness. Dimensional validation is performed by structured-light comparison against the source scan; deviation maps are held to ±0.2 mm for overall dimensions and ±0.1 mm for facial features. Published data for this specific e-Stone material under accelerated ageing in museum environments is limited, so institutions must conduct their own volatile emission testing. Finished handling replicas are used for education, research, and collection access.
Small-series production of hollow metal parts uses the rigid pattern as an electroforming mandrel. The surface is sealed with an acrylic lacquer and made conductive with silver paint. The acid copper bath is maintained at 0.5–2.0 mol/L CuSO₄·5H₂O and 0.5–1.0 mol/L H₂SO₄, with current density at 1–5 A/dm² and bath temperature at 20–30 °C. Deposit thickness is built to 200–500 µm over 8–24 h. The pattern’s rigidity prevents distortion at low current density, but surface attack occurs at the edge of the conductive coating if the sealant is incomplete. Published data for this resin’s long-term resistance to acid copper exposure is limited; sealant compatibility must be validated with a scrap pattern. The finished electroformed parts include hollow jewelry components, decorative trim, prototype metal shells, and hollow decorative hardware after mandrel extraction by thermal or mechanical separation.
Competitive 3D Systems VisiJet SL e-Stone™ prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please contact us at +8618136850665 or mail to admin@ascent-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8618136850665
Email: admin@ascent-chem.com
Flexible payment, competitive price, premium service - Inquire now!
3D Systems VisiJet SL e-Stone™ is a mineral-filled, opaque gray photopolymer formulated for 355 nm laser stereolithography. The product is qualified for the ProJet 6000 and ProJet 7000 platforms, with build envelopes of 250 × 250 × 250 mm and 380 × 380 × 250 mm, respectively. The resin cures through free-radical photopolymerization of a methacrylate/acrylate network; dispersed mineral filler particles raise the elastic modulus and reduce bulk linear shrinkage during cure relative to unfilled SL grades. Manufacturer-published datasheet values place tensile modulus between 10,000–11,000 MPa and tensile strength between 65–75 MPa under ASTM D638-14. Elongation at break is reported in the range of 1.5–3.0%, which is characteristic of a heavily filled network and imposes specific limitations on snap-fit and impact-loaded design features.
Flexural properties under ASTM D790-17 are typically 110–125 MPa flexural strength with 9,500–10,500 MPa flexural modulus. Notched Izod impact resistance under ASTM D256-10 is 10–18 J/m. Shore D hardness under ASTM D2240-15 is 86–90. Heat deflection temperatures measured under ASTM D648-18 are 230–260 °C at 0.45 MPa and 75–95 °C at 1.82 MPa. Solid density measured under ISO 1183-1:2019 is 1.55–1.65 g/cm³. The elevated density relative to unfilled SL resins reflects the mineral filler content and must be accounted for in build platform load calculations and shipping weight estimates.
| Property | Representative range | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 65–75 MPa | ASTM D638-14 |
| Tensile modulus | 10,000–11,000 MPa | ASTM D638-14 |
| Elongation at break | 1.5–3.0% | ASTM D638-14 |
| Flexural strength | 110–125 MPa | ASTM D790-17 |
| Flexural modulus | 9,500–10,500 MPa | ASTM D790-17 |
| Notched Izod impact | 10–18 J/m | ASTM D256-10 |
| Shore D hardness | 86–90 | ASTM D2240-15 |
| HDT at 0.45 MPa | 230–260 °C | ASTM D648-18 |
| HDT at 1.82 MPa | 75–95 °C | ASTM D648-18 |
| Solid density | 1.55–1.65 g/cm³ | ISO 1183-1:2019 |
Liquid viscosity measured under ASTM D4212-16 is commonly reported in the 1,500–3,000 mPa·s band at 25 °C. The mineral filler raises low-shear viscosity and produces a yield stress that reduces post-recoat leveling. In stationary vats, particles settle within hours to create a resin-rich upper zone and a filler-rich lower zone. Production equipment logs on ProJet 7000 lines show that recoater blade faults occur more frequently after weekend shutdowns when the vat has not been stirred. The recommended restart procedure includes a full vat recirculation cycle or manual stirring for 5–10 min followed by a test layer for thickness verification.
Because filler scattering affects the working curve, the penetration depth is typically lower and critical exposure higher than in unfilled SL Clear. The resin-specific install file supplied with the material contains laser power, scan spacing, and depth penetration parameters; use of a generic SL Clear file under-cures the layer and yields interlayer delamination. For high-criticality builds, an artefact with blind slots from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm is built before production to confirm beam compensation and negative feature accuracy. This is especially important for collets, vacuum channels, and locating bosses.
Filled resin builds at 0.05 mm are possible but exhibit higher sensitivity to vat level and blade speed. Many production groups select 0.10 mm for large-section parts because the thicker recoat layer is more tolerant of filler settling and reduces recoater drag. The trade-off is a coarser sidewall step profile; vertical walls may require additional sanding to meet Ra < 0.8 µm surface texture specifications measured under ISO 21920-2.
Green-state parts after cleaning are brittle. Support removal with blunt impact tools can propagate cracks parallel to layer planes; diamond-coated rotary tools and wet sanding are preferred. The low elongation at break requires generous corner radii; a minimum internal fillet radius of 0.5 mm is commonly applied to reduce notch sensitivity.
Post-cure is mandatory to approach the published heat deflection limits. A typical post-cure cycle uses a 3D Systems ProCure UV chamber or equivalent system operating at 320–400 nm for 30–60 min after alcohol wash. Incomplete post-cure leaves residual monomer that can plasticize the surface, lower hardness, and cause sealant or paint adhesion failure. A solvent wash residence time of ≤ 10 min is typical; longer immersion in isopropanol or tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether can produce edge softening and microcracking in thin sections.
The substitution is not a drop-in profile change. The higher liquid density and mineral filler content raise the required build platform load capacity. The cured part is heavier; support contact area should be increased by approximately 20–40% over unfilled SL configurations to prevent delamination at the part-support interface. Laser power and scan speed downloaded from the resin-specific print profile are necessary because filler scattering lowers the working curve slope. Operators should verify first-layer adhesion with a small test patch on the build platform before committing to a full build. In addition, sanding and machining generate mineral dust; dust extraction and N95-equivalent particulate filtration are required for dry finishing operations.
Dimensional compensation differs from unfilled SL materials. The filler reduces total linear shrinkage during cure, but the anisotropic layer effect remains; horizontal feature compensation should be validated with a metrology artefact measured on a coordinate measuring machine under ISO 10360-2. Critical bores are often reamed after curing because the low impact toughness and brittle surface can microcrack around press-fit fasteners.
The material’s combination of high 0.45 MPa HDT and high flexural modulus makes it suitable for master patterns for silicone tooling, rigid inspection fixtures, and short-run thermoforming mould inserts. In CMM fixture applications, the high modulus reduces stylus-induced deflection relative to unfilled SL fixtures, but clamping must be distributed across broad pads because point loads on cantilevered features can exceed the material’s low notched Izod strength. Reported processing experience indicates that threaded inserts installed with heat-stake or ultrasonic insertion equipment require slower insertion speeds than unfilled materials; thermal expansion mismatch between the brass insert and the filled polymer can generate radial cracks if the insertion rate exceeds the manufacturer’s limit for thin-walled bosses.
Published fatigue and creep-rupture data for VisiJet SL e-Stone™ remain limited; design for cyclic or sustained load service therefore requires end-use testing under ASTM D7791 or ISO 899-1. The material should not be used for snap-fit closures or impact-loaded housings without a documented factor of safety larger than that used for unfilled impact-modified SL resins.
| Material class | Tensile modulus (ASTM D638-14) | Elongation at break (ASTM D638-14) | HDT at 0.45 MPa (ASTM D648-18) | Notched Izod (ASTM D256-10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VisiJet SL e-Stone™ | 10,000–11,000 MPa | 1.5–3.0% | 230–260 °C | 10–18 J/m |
| Impact-modified unfilled SL resin | 2,500–3,000 MPa | 8–12% | 48–55 °C | 30–50 J/m |
| High-temperature unfilled SL resin | 3,500–4,500 MPa | 3–5% | 220–260 °C | 12–20 J/m |
The cured material should not be exposed continuously to strong polar solvents such as acetone or methylene chloride; these solvents induce swelling and can extract uncured monomer residues. Isopropanol is acceptable only as a cleaning fluid with a controlled residence time; prolonged immersion above 10 min may embrittle thin walls. The material is not suitable for food-contact or implantable medical use unless validated against the relevant regulation; no claim for ISO 10993 biocompatibility should be inferred from this document. Uncured resin is a skin and eye irritant; handling requires nitrile gloves, chemical goggles, and extraction at the vat. Cured parts should be post-cured before sanding to minimize exposure to acrylate residues.
Moisture absorption in humid environments above 60% RH can plasticize the polymer phase and slightly lower modulus. For dimensionally stable metrology applications, parts are conditioned at 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5% RH for at least 24 h before final inspection according to ISO 291 class environment. If the part is to be coated or bonded, solvent from the washing process must be fully evaporated before application; trapped solvent causes coating delamination.
Safety, health, and environmental compliance statements are provided by the resin supplier under REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. The cured material is not self-certified for food-contact use under FDA 21 CFR unless a specific additive clearance is documented for the intended use. Sanding cured filled parts generates mineral dust and requires particulate extraction meeting local workplace exposure limits. The resin should be stored in closed containers at 15–30 °C and protected from light; shelf life from the manufacturer is typically limited to 12 months in unopened containers.
In aerospace wind-tunnel models and high-stiffness automotive component prototypes, the product replaces metal-filled epoxies in some short-run pattern applications because the mineral filler provides lower bulk shrinkage than unfilled SL resins and a stone-like surface that reduces secondary finishing labor. However, the low notched Izod impact strength of 10–18 J/m means that thin trailing edges or sharp leading-edge radii are vulnerable to chipping during model handling. Published data for high-velocity erosion and particle impact resistance of this specific formulation are limited; evaluation under the end-use test protocol is required before committing to test-article production. The material has been used for vacuum-forming tools when the forming temperature does not exceed the 1.82 MPa HDT limit and when the tool is supported by a metal backing plate to prevent brittle fracture under clamping pressure.
