Materials / Compare
Aluminum 7075-T6 vs. FDM HIPS
Compare Aluminum 7075-T6 vs. FDM HIPS 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 | 503MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | not given (tensile used) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 572MPasourcetypical31.1x stronger | 18.4MPasourcetypical |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 31.8MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 11%sourcetypical, in 4D | 1.4%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 71GPasourcetypical44.7x stiffer | 1.59GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,800kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,023kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 180kN·m/kg9.99x higher | 18kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.4MN·m/kg16.3x higher | 1.55MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | 26.7GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 69.6GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 5,036m/s | 1,246m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 130W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, T651 | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical |
| Thermal expansion | 23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 117µm growth3.42x less | 400µm growth |
| Specific heat | 960J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 48.4mm²/s | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | 26,370W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 532–635°Csourcemelting range | not sourced |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 99°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 86°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa |
| Values for | 7075-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum rod & bar (mechanical) and sheet/coil/plate (physical) typical datasheets; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | BASF Forward AM (BASF 3D Printing Solutions) Ultrafuse HiPS, TDS v2.2 (13.11.2019), printed specimens, XY 'Flat'. Specimen print settings are not stated; recommended processing on the sheet: nozzle 240-260 °C, bed 100-120 °C, 40-80 mm/s. Product is discontinued (Forward AM product page) but the TDS is still served by Forward AM. |
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.
FDM HIPS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum 7075-T6 stronger than FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 7075-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 503 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (27.3x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 7075-T6 or FDM HIPS?
FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 2,800 kg/m³ for Aluminum 7075-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 7075-T6 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 7075-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Aluminum 7075-T6 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 7075-T6 or FDM HIPS?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7075-T6 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 | Aluminum 7075-T6 | FDM HIPS |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 16.3x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.44x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 30% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 9.99x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 3.32x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 1.91x 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, Aluminum 7075-T6 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 7075-T6 conducts heat better: 130 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 7075-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.