FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic Polypropylene

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

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Plastic PolypropyleneBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	53.3MPasourcetypical	33MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527
Ultimate tensile strength	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	not sourced
Flexural strength	89.4MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	9.2%sourcetypical	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.39GPasourcetypical	1.45GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527
Density	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange	900kg/m³sourcetypical, 23 °C ISO 1183-1
Strength to weight	44.8kN·m/kg22% higher	36.7kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.01MN·m/kg25% higher	1.61MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.42sourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
Shear modulus	0.867GPa1.7x stiffer in shear	0.511GPa
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	3.02GPa
Speed of sound	1,418m/s	1,269m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C	0.17–0.22W/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
Thermal expansion	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel	80–100µm/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth38% less	450µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	42.5W/m49% more resistant	28.6W/m
Glass transition	108°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	90°CsourceHDT 0.45 MPa (ISO 75B), unannealed
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.	LyondellBasell Moplen HP501H polypropylene homopolymer (general purpose), typical ISO 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 Polycarbonate is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic Polypropylene?

FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against 33 MPa for Plastic Polypropylene (1.62x).

Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Polypropylene?

Plastic Polypropylene is lighter: 900 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Polypropylene?

FDM Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.39 GPa against 1.45 GPa for Plastic Polypropylene, so the same part in FDM Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie, strong beam; Plastic Polypropylene is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	FDM Polycarbonate	Plastic Polypropylene
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	25% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	3% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	12% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	22% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	4% heavier
Strong panel or plate	4% 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 Polypropylene?

FDM Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.195 W/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.

Which expands less with temperature?

FDM Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 90 µm/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density