FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic PPS GF40

Compare FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic PPS GF40 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PPS GF40Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	53.3MPasourcetypical	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	195MPasourcetensile strength, 5 mm/min
Flexural strength	89.4MPasourcetypical	285MPasourceflexural strength at break
Elongation at break	9.2%sourcetypical	1.9%sourcestrain at break, 5 mm/min
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.39GPasourcetypical	14.7GPasourcetypical, 1 mm/min
Density	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange	1,650kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	44.8kN·m/kg	118kN·m/kg2.64x higher
Stiffness to weight	2.01MN·m/kg	8.91MN·m/kg4.43x higher
Poisson's ratio	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.35sourceglass-reinforced Fortron PPS (class value, not grade-specific)
Shear modulus	0.867GPa	5.44GPa6.28x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	16.3GPa
Speed of sound	1,418m/s	2,985m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C	0.2W/m·Ksource40% glass-reinforced Fortron, 25 °C (not grade-specific)
Thermal expansion	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel	12µm/m·Ksourceparallel (flow), mean -50 to 90 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth	60µm growth5.42x less
Specific heat	not sourced	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	42.5W/m	144W/m3.38x more resistant
Melting point	not sourced	280°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Glass transition	108°Csourcetypical	90°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Max service temperature	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	270°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	Ultimaker PC, 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 (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.	Celanese Fortron 1140L4 (PPS, 40% glass fibre), injection moulding; FORTRON PPS Short-Term Properties Guide (PPS-012, 2016); thermal conductivity and Poisson for 40% glass-reinforced Fortron from the Fortron PPS Design Manual (PPS-050, 2013).

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

Questions

Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is stronger: its tensile strength is 195 MPa against yield strength 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (3.66x).

Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PPS GF40?

FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 1,650 kg/m³ for Plastic PPS GF40.

Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is stiffer: Young's modulus 14.7 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in Plastic PPS GF40 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PPS GF40?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PPS GF40 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	FDM Polycarbonate	Plastic PPS GF40
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	4.43x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	1.79x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	32% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	2.64x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.71x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	38% 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 Polycarbonate or Plastic PPS GF40?

FDM Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for Plastic PPS GF40.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PPS GF40 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 65 µm/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density