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FDM HIPS vs. Plastic ABS

Compare FDM HIPS vs. Plastic ABS strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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FDM HIPS3D printed (FDM)
Plastic ABS3D printed (FDM)
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Mechanical
Yield strengthnot given (tensile used)38.1MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength18.4MPasourcetypical38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength31.8MPasourcetypical61.1MPasourcetypical1.92x stronger in bending
Elongation at break1.4%sourcetypical4.6%sourcetypical3.29x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)1.59GPasourcetypical1.96GPasourcetypical24% stiffer
Density1,023kg/m³sourcetypical1,100kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight18kN·m/kg34.6kN·m/kg1.93x higher
Stiffness to weight1.55MN·m/kg1.78MN·m/kg15% higher
Poisson's rationot sourced0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulusnot sourced0.706GPa
Bulk modulusnot sourced2.97GPa
Speed of sound1,246m/s1,336m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical
Thermal expansion80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing400µm growth19% less475µm growth
Specific heatnot sourcednot sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)not sourcednot sourced
Thermal shock resistancenot sourced21.2W/m
Glass transition99°Csourcetypical101°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature86°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values forBASF 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.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.

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 and Plastic ABS are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is FDM HIPS stronger than Plastic ABS?

Plastic ABS is stronger: its yield strength is 38.1 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (2.07x).

Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Plastic ABS?

FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 1,100 kg/m³ for Plastic ABS.

Which is stiffer, FDM HIPS or Plastic ABS?

Plastic ABS is stiffer: Young's modulus 1.96 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Plastic ABS deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM HIPS or Plastic ABS?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS 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 beFDM HIPSPlastic ABS
Stiff rod or tie (tension)15% heavierlighter
Stiff beam (bending)3% heavierlighter
Stiff panel or plateabout equalabout equal
Strong rod or tie1.93x heavierlighter
Strong beam1.51x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate34% heavierlighter

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, FDM HIPS or Plastic ABS?

Plastic ABS stretches further before it breaks: 4.6% elongation at break against 1.4% for FDM HIPS.

Which conducts heat better, FDM HIPS or Plastic ABS?

FDM HIPS conducts heat better: 0.17 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.

Which expands less with temperature?

FDM HIPS expands less: 80 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelFDM HIPSPlastic ABS
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickFDM HIPSPlastic ABS
Strength against density

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