Plastic ABS vs. Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)

Compare Plastic ABS vs. Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	38.1MPasourcetypical	45MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C
Ultimate tensile strength	38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	not sourced
Flexural strength	61.1MPasourcetypical	65MPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Elongation at break	4.6%sourcetypical	10%sourcenominal strain at break, 23 °C
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.96GPasourcetypical	2.3GPasourcetypical17% stiffer
Density	1,100kg/m³sourcetypical	1,040kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	34.6kN·m/kg	43.3kN·m/kg25% higher
Stiffness to weight	1.78MN·m/kg	2.21MN·m/kg24% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.39sourcetypical, ABS family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	0.706GPa	0.827GPa17% stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	2.97GPa	3.48GPa
Speed of sound	1,336m/s	1,487m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical	0.17W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range	80–110µm/m·Ksourcerange
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	475µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	21.2W/m	21.4W/m
Glass transition	101°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	94°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (annealed 4 h/80 °C)
Values for	Ultimaker ABS, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v5.00, April 20, 2022.	INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 general-purpose injection-molding ABS, ISO typical values (TDS revision 08/01/2022)

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

Plastic ABS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic ABS stronger than Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is stronger: its yield strength is 45 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (18%).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter: 1,040 kg/m³ against 1,100 kg/m³ for Plastic ABS.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.3 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic ABS	Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	24% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	15% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	12% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	25% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	18% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	15% heavier	lighter

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS or Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

Plastic ABS conducts heat better: 0.17 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic ABS expands less: 95 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density