FDM HIPS vs. Titanium

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

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FDM HIPS3D printed (FDM)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	885MPasourcetypical, plate (>0.187 in), annealed, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	18.4MPasourcetypical	940MPasourcetypical, plate, annealed
Flexural strength	31.8MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	1.4%sourcetypical	16%sourcetypical, in 2 in., plate annealed
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.59GPasourcetypical	107–122GPasourcetypical range, 20 °C
Density	1,023kg/m³sourcetypical	4,430kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	18kN·m/kg	200kN·m/kg11.1x higher
Stiffness to weight	1.55MN·m/kg	25.8MN·m/kg16.7x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.342sourcemean of TIMET measurements
Shear modulus	not sourced	42.7GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	121GPa
Speed of sound	1,246m/s	5,084m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical	6.6W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, mill annealed
Thermal expansion	80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical	9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 0-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	400µm growth	45µm growth8.89x less
Specific heat	not sourced	580J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	2.57mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	3,730W/m
Melting point	not sourced	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range
Glass transition	99°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	86°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa	400°Csourceupper recommended use temperature
Values for	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.	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.

FDM HIPS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is FDM HIPS stronger than Titanium?

Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 885 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (48.1x).

Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Titanium?

FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 4,430 kg/m³ for Titanium.

Which is stiffer, FDM HIPS or Titanium?

Titanium is stiffer: Young's modulus 115 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Titanium deflects less under the same load.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: FDM HIPS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate; Titanium 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	FDM HIPS	Titanium
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	16.7x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	1.96x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	4% heavier
Strong rod or tie	11.1x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	3.05x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	1.6x 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, FDM HIPS or Titanium?

Titanium conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.

Which expands less with temperature?

Titanium expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density