Materials / Compare
Plastic ABS vs. Plastic PLA
Compare Plastic ABS vs. Plastic PLA strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical | 52.5MPasourcetypical38% stronger |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)38% stronger |
| Flexural strength | 61.1MPasourcetypical | 96.8MPasourcetypical1.58x stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 4.6%sourcetypical | 7.8%sourcetypical1.7x more ductile |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.96GPasourcetypical | 3.25GPasourcetypical1.66x stiffer |
| Density | 1,100kg/m³sourcetypical13% lighter | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 34.6kN·m/kg | 42.3kN·m/kg22% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.78MN·m/kg | 2.62MN·m/kg47% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1) | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | 0.706GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 2.97GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 1,336m/s | 1,619m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth | not sourced |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 0.0874mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 21.2W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | not sourced | 152°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | 101°Csourcetypical | 59.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)47% hotter | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| 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. | Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; 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 dated April 20, 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 and Plastic PLA are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic ABS stronger than Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is stronger: its yield strength is 52.5 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (38%).
Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Plastic PLA?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.
Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.25 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Plastic PLA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Plastic PLA?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA 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 PLA |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 47% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 14% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 5% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 22% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 10% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 4% 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 is more ductile, Plastic ABS or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA stretches further before it breaks: 7.8% elongation at break against 4.6% for Plastic ABS.
Which handles higher temperatures, Plastic ABS or Plastic PLA?
Plastic ABS does: 86.6 °C against 58.8 °C for Plastic PLA, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).
Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS or Plastic PLA?
Plastic ABS conducts heat better: 0.17 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.