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Axson PX215 - Vacuum Casting ABS Material
PX215 is a workhorse, ABS-simulating polyurethane resin specifically engineered for vacuum casting. Its strengths lie in its excellent mechanical property match for ABS, fast processing, high detail reproduction, and suitability for functional prototypes across automotive, consumer goods, and industrial design. Its limitations center around thermal stability, UV resistance, and inherent mold life constraints of the process. It remains a popular choice where accurate ABS simulation in low-to-medium volumes is required.
Axson PX215

Basic Characteristics & Composition

Material Type: Two-component (2K), thermosetting polyurethane (PU) resin system.
Target Simulation: Engineered to closely mimic the mechanical properties and appearance of engineering-grade ABS plastic.
Key Properties:
  • Tensile Strength: High, typically around 45-50 MPa (approx. 6500-7250 psi).
  • Flexural Strength: High, typically around 70-80 MPa (approx. 10,000-11,600 psi).
  • Elongation at Break: Moderate, typically around 10-15%.
  • Hardness: Shore D ~80 (similar to rigid ABS).
  • Impact Strength: Moderate (Izod Notched approx. 20-30 J/m).
  • Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): Typically around 50-60°C (122-140°F) at 0.45 MPa / 66 psi; usable for prototypes up to ~80°C (176°F) short-term.
  • Viscosity: Low viscosity mix (A+B components), excellent for degassing and flow into complex molds.
  • Cure Time: Fast demold times (often 45-90 minutes depending on part size/thickness), enabling multiple casts per day.
  • Mix Ratio: Typically 100A : 85B by weight (always check the specific Technical Data Sheet - TDS).
  • Shrinkage: Low, designed for dimensional accuracy in casting (~0.15%).
Axson PX215 - Vacuum Casting ABS Material

Key Technical Parameters

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    ISOCYANATE PX 100-215 POLYOL PX 215 MIXING
Composition   ISOCYANATE POLYOL  
Mixing ratio by weight
Mixing ratio by volume at 25°C		   100
88		 100
100		  
Aspect   liquid liquid liquid
Colour   straw yellow light to dark amber off-white
Viscosity at 25°C (mPa.s) BROOKFIELD LVT 60 175 100
Specific gravity at 25°C
Specific gravity at 23°C		 ISO 1675 :1975
ISO 2781 :1988		 1.15
-		 1.02
-		 -
1.06
Pot life at 25°C on 200g (min.) Gel Timer TECAM     3 - 4

VACUUM CASTING PROCESSING CONDITIONS 
Warm the products at 23°C by storing at a lower temperature. • Weigh both parts. • Mix for 1 minute minimum after degasing for 10 minutes under vacuum. • Cast under vacuum in a silicone mold pre-heated at 70°C. • Demold after 2 hours at 70°C (let cool before demolding).
 
PRECAUTIONS 
Normal health and safety precautions should be observed when handling these products : 
. ensure good ventilation 
. wear gloves and safety glasses 
For further information, please consult the material safety data sheet.
 
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AT 23° C AFTER POSTCURE 
Flexural modulus of elasticity ISO 178 :2001 MPa 1,500
Maximal flexural strength ISO 178 :2001 MPa 55
Maximal tensile strength ISO 527 :1993 MPa 40
Elongation at break ISO 527 :1993 % 20
CHARPY impact strength ISO 179/2D :1994  kJ/m2  25
Hardness - at 73° F/(23° C)
                 - at 176° F/(80° C)		 ISO 868 :1985 Shore D1 74
65
 
THERMAL & SPECIFIC PROPERTIES
Glass temperature transition TMA METTLER °C 75
Linear shrinkage - % 2
Maximal casting thickness - mm 5
Demolding time @ 23°C - min. 120
Complete hardening time @ 23°C - d 4
  • Average values obtained on standardized specimens/Hardening 12 hr at 70° C

    STORAGE
Shelf life is 6 months for Isocyanate and 12 months for Polyol in a dry place and in original unopened containers at a temperature between 15 and 25° C. Any open can must be tightly closed under dry nitrogen blanket.
 

Application Scenarios & Fields

Primary Use: Rapid Prototyping of functional parts requiring ABS-like properties.
Key Industries & Applications:
  • Automotive: Interior trim components (panels, knobs, vents), housings, ducting prototypes, fluid reservoirs, connector prototypes.
  • Consumer Electronics: Housings for phones, tablets, appliances, remote controls, power tool casings, buttons.
  • Industrial Equipment: Covers, housings, enclosures, handles, levers, jigs, fixtures.
  • Medical Devices (Non-Implantable): Prototypes for device housings, handles, ergonomic grips, casings for diagnostic equipment (ensure biocompatibility is not claimed for PX215 unless explicitly certified for a specific use).
  • Telecommunications: Prototype enclosures for routers, modems, handsets.
  • General Product Design: Functional concept models, ergonomic studies, design verification prototypes, presentation models, small-batch end-use parts (where properties suffice).

Vacuum Casting Process Adaptability:

Excellent Fit: PX215 is specifically formulated for the vacuum casting process.
Key Adaptations:
  • Low Viscosity: Ensures easy mixing, thorough degassing under vacuum, and complete filling of intricate mold details and thin walls in silicone molds.
  • Vacuum Degassing: Essential for achieving bubble-free casts; PX215 degasses efficiently before pouring.
  • Fast Cure: Allows for relatively quick demolding (typically 45-90 mins), maximizing productivity from a single silicone mold.
  • Silicone Mold Compatibility: Performs well with standard RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) silicone molds used in the process.
  • Mold Life: Produces 15-25 high-quality parts from a single silicone mold, depending on part complexity and demolding care.

Advantages:

  • ABS-Like Properties: Offers the closest simulation of ABS plastic mechanical behavior (strength, rigidity, hardness) among common vacuum casting resins.
  • Fast Turnaround: Quick demold time speeds up prototyping iterations and small-batch production.
  • High Detail Reproduction: Excellent flow captures fine details, textures, and complex geometries from the silicone mold.
  • Good Surface Finish: Produces smooth surfaces ready for painting or finishing; minimal post-processing often needed.
  • Dimensional Stability: Low shrinkage ensures good accuracy compared to the master pattern.
  • Paintable & Glueable: Easily accepts paints, adhesives, and secondary operations like machining or tapping.
  • Cost-Effective for Low Volumes: Ideal for producing 10s to low 100s of functional prototypes or end-use parts without expensive injection molding tooling.

Limitations:

  • Not Production Plastic: While simulating ABS, it lacks the long-term durability, precise thermal stability, and impact resistance of true, injection-molded ABS, especially at higher temperatures or under sustained stress/UV.
  • Limited Heat Resistance: Unsuitable for applications requiring sustained high temperatures (>80°C / 176°F).
  • UV Sensitivity: Like most PU resins, prolonged UV exposure will cause yellowing and degradation unless protected.
  • Mold Life Constraint: Silicone molds degrade over time (15-25 pulls), limiting the total number of parts per mold compared to metal tooling.
  • Lower Impact Strength than some ABS Grades: While rigid, its impact resistance can be lower than certain toughened ABS formulations.
  • Moisture Sensitivity: Components can absorb moisture; storage and handling according to TDS are crucial.

Manufacturers

  • Axson Technologies: PX215 was originally developed and branded by Axson Technologies, a leading manufacturer of industrial resins (polyurethanes, epoxies) for prototyping, tooling, and composites.
  • Current Status: Axson Technologies was acquired by ALTANA (specifically the ELANTAS PDG division) in 2018. The Axson product line, including PX215, is now manufactured and distributed under the ELANTAS PDG (Prototyping, Design, and Modeling) brand within the ALTANA Group. You will find it listed as ELANTAS PX215 or sometimes still referred to as Axson PX215. Distributors like Freeman Supply carry the line.

Common Alternative Materials:

Within Axson/ELANTAS PDG:
  • PX223 / PX221: Higher impact strength variants (simulating ABS+PC or tough PP), slightly lower rigidity than PX215.
  • PX256: Simulates rigid Polypropylene (PP), lower strength/higher flexibility.
  • FC52 / FC53: Simulates Polycarbonate (PC), higher heat resistance and impact strength than PX215.
Competitor Resins (Similar ABS Simulation):
  • Smooth-On Task Series (e.g., Task 9): Widely used US brand, offers resins with similar ABS-like properties.
  • Polytek Poly 74xx Series (e.g., 74-29): Another major US supplier, known for robust casting resins.
  • Huntsman RenShape® SL Series: High-performance tooling and prototyping resins, some grades simulate engineering plastics.
  • VarioCast / VarioKast (Germany): Common European alternatives.
  • Axson/ELANTAS PDG PX271: A newer alternative sometimes positioned similarly to PX215.
Alternatives for Different Properties:
  • Simulate PP: PX256 (Axson), Task 12 (Smooth-On), Poly 74-45 (Polytek).
  • Simulate PC/High Impact: FC52/FC53 (Axson), Task 8/15 (Smooth-On), Poly 74-20 (Polytek).
  • Simulate PE/Flexible: PX242 (Axson), Task 4 (Smooth-On), Poly 74-30 (Polytek).
  • High Temp/Specialty: Epoxy-based resins (e.g., Axson/ELANTAS PDG PX521), or specialized high-temp PU (e.g., Smooth-On Somos® Taurus).
Learn more about ABS type materials
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