Plastic ABS vs. Titanium Ti-6Al-4V

Compare Plastic ABS vs. Titanium Ti-6Al-4V strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	38.1MPasourcetypical	885MPasourcetypical, plate (>0.187 in), annealed, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	940MPasourcetypical, plate, annealed
Flexural strength	61.1MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	4.6%sourcetypical	16%sourcetypical, in 2 in., plate annealed
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.96GPasourcetypical	107–122GPasourcetypical range, 20 °C
Density	1,100kg/m³sourcetypical	4,430kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	34.6kN·m/kg	200kN·m/kg5.77x higher
Stiffness to weight	1.78MN·m/kg	25.8MN·m/kg14.5x higher
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.342sourcemean of TIMET measurements
Shear modulus	0.706GPa	42.7GPa60.4x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	2.97GPa	121GPa
Speed of sound	1,336m/s	5,084m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical	6.6W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, mill annealed
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range	9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 0-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	45µm growth10.6x less
Specific heat	not sourced	580J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	2.57mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	21.2W/m	3,730W/m176x more resistant
Melting point	not sourced	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range
Glass transition	101°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	400°Csourceupper recommended use temperature
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.	TIMETAL 6-4 (Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5) annealed plate typical (TIMET properties manual) + TIMET datasheet TMC-0150 physical properties

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 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is stronger: its yield strength is 885 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (23.2x).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 4,430 kg/m³ for Titanium Ti-6Al-4V.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is stiffer: Young's modulus 115 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Titanium Ti-6Al-4V deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate; Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic ABS	Titanium Ti-6Al-4V
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	14.5x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	1.9x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	4% heavier
Strong rod or tie	5.77x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	2.02x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	20% 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 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.

Which expands less with temperature?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density