Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. Solder SAC305

Compare Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. Solder SAC305 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	45MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C	22MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	39.6MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	65MPasourcetypical, 23 °C	not sourced
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, 23 °C	49%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.3GPasourcetypical	6.9GPasourcetypical, temperature and strain rate not stated
Density	1,040kg/m³sourcetypical7.07x lighter	7,350kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	43.3kN·m/kg14.5x higher	2.99kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.21MN·m/kg2.36x higher	0.939MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcetypical, ABS family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.35sourcetypical
Shear modulus	0.827GPa	2.56GPa3.09x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	3.48GPa	7.67GPa
Speed of sound	1,487m/s	969m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcetypical	61W/m·Ksourcetypical, temperature not stated
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcerange	21.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-100 °C (MacDermid Alpha)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	110µm growth4.34x less
Specific heat	not sourced	232J/kg·Ksourcetypical (MacDermid Alpha)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	35.8mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	21.4W/m	5,773W/m270x more resistant
Melting point	not sourced	217–220°Csourcesolidus-liquidus
Max service temperature	94°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (annealed 4 h/80 °C)	not sourced
Values for	INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 general-purpose injection-molding ABS, ISO typical values (TDS revision 08/01/2022)	SAC305 (Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0.5) solder alloy, bulk; Indium Corporation Indalloy 256 (SAC305) for Preforms product data sheet (Form No. 100346 R0, 2024), selected properties, test temperature not stated; expansion and specific heat from MacDermid Alpha VACULOY SAC TDS (06 September 2023).

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.

Questions

Is Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) stronger than Solder SAC305?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is stronger: its yield strength is 45 MPa against 22 MPa for Solder SAC305 (2.05x).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Solder SAC305?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter: 1,040 kg/m³ against 7,350 kg/m³ for Solder SAC305.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Solder SAC305?

Solder SAC305 is stiffer: Young's modulus 6.9 GPa against 2.3 GPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection), so the same part in Solder SAC305 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Solder SAC305?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) 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	Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)	Solder SAC305
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2.36x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	4.08x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	4.9x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	14.5x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	11.4x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	10.1x 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, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Solder SAC305?

Solder SAC305 conducts heat better: 61 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Which expands less with temperature?

Solder SAC305 expands less: 21.9 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density