Materials / Compare
FDM HIPS vs. Stainless 303
Compare FDM HIPS vs. Stainless 303 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) | 275MPasourceOutokumpu typical (product P = hot rolled plate, transverse) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 18.4MPasourcetypical | 585MPasourceOutokumpu typical |
| Flexural strength | 31.8MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 1.4%sourcetypical | 35%sourceOutokumpu typical, A5 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.59GPasourcetypical | 200GPasourceat RT (Table 12) |
| Density | 1,023kg/m³sourcetypical | 7,900kg/m³sourceat RT |
| Strength to weight | 18kN·m/kg | 34.8kN·m/kg1.94x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.55MN·m/kg | 25.3MN·m/kg16.3x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 76.9GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,246m/s | 5,032m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical | 15W/m·Ksourceat RT |
| Thermal expansion | 80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical | 16µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20–100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 400µm growth | 80µm growth5x less |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 500J/kg·Ksourceat RT |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 3.8mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 902W/m |
| Glass transition | 99°Csourcetypical | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 86°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | 871°Csourcecontinuous, scaling limit |
| 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. | 1.4305 / UNS S30300, Outokumpu typical values (hot rolled, solution annealed) from 'Steel Grades, Properties and Global Standards'; max service from Carpenter CarTech 303 datasheet |
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 Stainless 303?
Stainless 303 is stronger: its yield strength is 275 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (14.9x).
Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Stainless 303?
FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for Stainless 303.
Which is stiffer, FDM HIPS or Stainless 303?
Stainless 303 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Stainless 303 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM HIPS or Stainless 303?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM HIPS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Stainless 303 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie.
| Part that must be | FDM HIPS | Stainless 303 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 16.3x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 45% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 1.54x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 1.94x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | lighter | 27% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2x 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 Stainless 303?
Stainless 303 conducts heat better: 15 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless 303 expands less: 16 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.