Materials / Compare
FDM HIPS vs. Plastic Nylon
Compare FDM HIPS vs. Plastic Nylon strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | not given (tensile used) | 63.1MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 18.4MPasourcetypical | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | 31.8MPasourcetypical | 82.9MPasourcetypical2.61x stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 1.4%sourcetypical | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.59GPasourcetypical | 2.33GPasourcetypical47% stiffer |
| Density | 1,023kg/m³sourcetypical11% lighter | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 18kN·m/kg | 55.4kN·m/kg3.08x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.55MN·m/kg | 2.04MN·m/kg32% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 0.833GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 3.89GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,246m/s | 1,430m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Thermal expansion | 80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical | 98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 400µm growth25% less | 500µm growth |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 0.17mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 53.6W/m |
| Melting point | not sourced | 188°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | 99°Csourcetypical | 55.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 86°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| 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. | Ultimaker Nylon, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat), conditioned >=24 h at room temperature; 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 v2.00, 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 Nylon are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is FDM HIPS stronger than Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (3.43x).
Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Plastic Nylon?
FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.
Which is stiffer, FDM HIPS or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM HIPS or Plastic Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon 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 HIPS | Plastic Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 32% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 9% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 2% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 3.08x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 2.04x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 1.66x 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 Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.
Which expands less with temperature?
FDM HIPS expands less: 80 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.