FDM HIPS vs. Zinc Zamak 3

Compare FDM HIPS vs. Zinc Zamak 3 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)	221MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	18.4MPasourcetypical	283MPasourcetypical15.4x stronger
Flexural strength	31.8MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	1.4%sourcetypical	10%sourcetypical, in 2 in.
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.59GPasourcetypical	85.5GPasourcetypical53.8x stiffer
Density	1,023kg/m³sourcetypical6.45x lighter	6,600kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	18kN·m/kg	33.5kN·m/kg1.86x higher
Stiffness to weight	1.55MN·m/kg	13MN·m/kg8.35x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.27sourcetypical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast
Shear modulus	not sourced	33.7GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	62GPa
Speed of sound	1,246m/s	3,599m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical	113W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical	27.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	400µm growth	137µm growth2.92x less
Specific heat	not sourced	419J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	40.9mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	7,782W/m
Melting point	not sourced	381–387°Csourcemelting range
Glass transition	99°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	86°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa	not sourced
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.	Zamak 3 (ASTM B86 die cast), Nathan Trotter (zinc alloy producer) technical data sheet, typical values

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 Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stronger: its yield strength is 221 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (12x).

Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Zinc Zamak 3?

FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.

Which is stiffer, FDM HIPS or Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM HIPS or Zinc Zamak 3?

For the same stiffness or strength: FDM HIPS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Zinc Zamak 3 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	FDM HIPS	Zinc Zamak 3
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	8.35x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	14% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.71x heavier
Strong rod or tie	1.86x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	23% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.86x 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, FDM HIPS or Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 conducts heat better: 113 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.

Which expands less with temperature?

Zinc Zamak 3 expands less: 27.4 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density