Materials / Compare
FDM HIPS vs. Steel
Compare FDM HIPS vs. Steel 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) | 385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 18.4MPasourcetypical | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| Flexural strength | 31.8MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 1.4%sourcetypical | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.59GPasourcetypical | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 1,023kg/m³sourcetypical | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 18kN·m/kg | 49kN·m/kg2.73x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.55MN·m/kg | 25.5MN·m/kg16.4x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 76.9GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,246m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 400µm growth | 60µm growth6.67x less |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 13mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 5,390W/m |
| 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. | Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards. |
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 Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (20.9x).
Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Steel?
FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel.
Which is stiffer, FDM HIPS or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM HIPS or Steel?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM HIPS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Steel is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie.
| Part that must be | FDM HIPS | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 16.4x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 46% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 1.53x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 2.73x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | lighter | 1% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 1.68x 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 Steel?
Steel conducts heat better: 48 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.