Top concern: uncomfortable fit
- Biocompatible translucent first: usable for contact parts, with a feel close to a custom tip
- Sanding plus polishing reduces canal friction
- Wall thickness 0.8–1.2 mm balances strength and flex
Materials
Choose material by application,
not by what happens to be in stock
Hearables parts hinge on contact safety, dimensional stability and acoustic performance. This page gives measured ranges for six common resins, a selection path worked back from known pain points, and the limits of material compliance.
- 6 typesCommon resins
- 25%Highest elongation at break
- 180 ℃Highest heat deflection
- With orderCertification documents
Material table
Six resins chosen by application, not by feel
Hearables parts hinge on contact safety, dimensional stability and acoustic performance. The table lists measured ranges for common grades; the exact grade and certification documents are confirmed per application before an order is placed.
| Material | Characteristics | Tensile strength | Elongation at break | Heat deflection | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard ABS-like grey | Dimensionally stable, sharp detail | 55 MPa | 6% | 62 ℃ | Structural parts, appearance checks |
| Tough resin | Impact resistant, snap features flex | 48 MPa | 25% | 58 ℃ | Snap fits, hinges, thin-wall parts |
| Biocompatible translucent | For skin / ear-canal contact | 50 MPa | 12% | 60 ℃ | Shells, tips, contact parts |
| High-temperature resin | High rigidity, low creep | 62 MPa | 3% | 180 ℃ | Acoustic chambers, test fixtures |
| Clear resin | Transparent after polishing, internals visible | 52 MPa | 8% | 55 ℃ | Clear shells, light guides |
| Casting resin | Low ash, investment castable | 45 MPa | 5% | 60 ℃ | Metal casting masters, jewellery prototypes |
Values are typical for common grades and vary with batch and post-processing.
Selection path
Work back from the property you care about
You do not need to know materials first. Say what the part must not fail at, and the material is largely decided.
Top concern: snap fits breaking
- Tough resin first: 25% elongation, snaps withstand repeated cycles
- Radius the snap root to avoid stress concentration
- Post-cure to the resin data sheet, without over-curing
Top concern: acoustic chamber distortion
- High-temperature resin first: 180 °C heat deflection, low creep
- Critical mating faces placed up to minimise support effects
- Critical dimensions can be 100% inspected with data recorded per part
Top concern: internals not visible
- Clear resin first, step sanded then polished
- Shorter washing preserves clarity
- Can combine with internal colouring so the cavity becomes part of the exterior
Material compliance
Certification documents ship with the order; compliance assessed together
For parts contacting skin or the ear canal, material choice is not only a mechanical question. We make this explicit at order stage.
We provide
- Technical data sheet (TDS) for the selected grade
- Batch information and per-part inspection records
- Biocompatibility documentation for contact parts
- Notes on how finishing affects surface and dimensions
You confirm
- Regulatory requirements for the target market (e.g. FDA / CE / domestic registration)
- Contact area and duration of single use
- Whether finished-product testing is required rather than material-level certification
- Additional material requirements from packaging or sterilisation
We provide material-level certification; whether the finished product meets registration requirements is confirmed together, based on your product and target market.
Material and post-processing
One material, two different parts at different tiers
Post-processing decides both surface appearance and dimensional outcome. The table shows our standard pairings.
| Application | Recommended material | Post-processing tiers | Surface result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly validation parts | Standard ABS-like grey | Support removal + coarse sanding | Matte, dimensions first |
| Fit-test parts | Biocompatible translucent | Refined finishing + polishing | Smooth, conforms to the canal |
| Appearance approval parts | Standard / tough | Sanding + blasting / painting | Uniform matte or specified colour |
| Clear structural parts | Clear resin | Step sanding + polishing | Transparent, cavity visible |
| Acoustic chambers | High-temperature resin | Refined finishing + 100% critical dimension inspection | Dimensions first |
Not sure which material to use?
Describe the contact area, wear duration and mechanical requirements; we recommend a grade and provide the matching certification.