Plastic ABS vs. Stainless 17-4PH

Compare Plastic ABS vs. Stainless 17-4PH strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	38.1MPasourcetypical	1,275MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip
Ultimate tensile strength	38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	1,379MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip
Flexural strength	61.1MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	4.6%sourcetypical	9%sourcetypical, transverse, in 2 in. (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.96GPasourcetypical	197GPasourceH 900
Density	1,100kg/m³sourcetypical	7,800kg/m³sourceH 900
Strength to weight	34.6kN·m/kg	163kN·m/kg4.72x higher
Stiffness to weight	1.78MN·m/kg	25.3MN·m/kg14.2x higher
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.272sourceH 900 (column)
Shear modulus	0.706GPa	77.4GPa110x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	2.97GPa	144GPa
Speed of sound	1,336m/s	5,026m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical	17.9W/m·Ksourceat 149 °C (300 °F), H 900
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range	10.8µm/m·Ksourcemean, 21–93 °C (70–200 °F), H 900
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	54µm growth8.8x less
Specific heat	not sourced	460J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C, H 900
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	4.99mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	21.2W/m	7,809W/m368x more resistant
Glass transition	101°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	316°Csourcestrength-retention limit (not oxidation)
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.	Cleveland-Cliffs 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, sheet/strip, transverse (Product Data Bulletin, May 2021)

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 Stainless 17-4PH?

Stainless 17-4PH is stronger: its yield strength is 1,275 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (33.5x).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Stainless 17-4PH?

Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 7,800 kg/m³ for Stainless 17-4PH.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Stainless 17-4PH?

Stainless 17-4PH is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Stainless 17-4PH deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Stainless 17-4PH?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate; Stainless 17-4PH is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam.

Part that must be	Plastic ABS	Stainless 17-4PH
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	14.2x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	41% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.53x heavier
Strong rod or tie	4.72x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	46% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	lighter	23% heavier

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 Stainless 17-4PH?

Stainless 17-4PH conducts heat better: 17.9 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.

Which expands less with temperature?

Stainless 17-4PH expands less: 10.8 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density