A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.
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 A380 stronger than FDM HIPS?
Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (8.7x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or FDM HIPS?
FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or FDM HIPS?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum A380 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 A380
FDM HIPS
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
16.9x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.52x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
34% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
3.28x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
1.59x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
11% 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 is more ductile, Aluminum A380 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum A380 stretches further before it breaks: 3.5% elongation at break against 1.4% for FDM HIPS.
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum A380 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum A380 expands less: 21.8 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.